Phone call from UK police

fairwaysgirl

I'm trying to get my sons father to meet us this weekend at his mothers house in the UK. He's a UK citizen. I left messages on his phone saying that I would turn up on his doorstep if he didn't answer my calls. Tonight I got a phone call from a policeman in the UK. (I double checked that it was genuine) He warned me not to turn up on my ex's doorstep.

I'm wondering if the UK police have the right to ring me directly? Surely proper procedure is to contact the Gardai who in turn would contact me. I feel a little intimidated by this because it doesn't sound right.

MagicSean

What do you mean do they have a right? Of course they do.

fairwaysgirl

MagicSean wrote: »

What do you mean do they have a right? Of course they do.

So if I go to my local Garda station to make a statement about a person residing in say, Holland, for example, the Gardai can ring that person directly and warn them off doing something? I doubt it. For the record, the PC told me I had broken no laws and done nothing wrong. He said he was speaking on behalf of my ex and that I shouldn't turn up at his house. Does that sound right to you?

Maybe you have misunderstood the post. I'll wait for a few more opinions.

ABajaninCork

Unfortunately, it does sound about right...UK police can do that.

fairwaysgirl

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Unfortunately, it does sound about right...UK police can do that.

Thanks.

Why are they able to do that? I'm not in their jurisdiction. I would have expected that they would have to act via the Gardai.

the scrote

If you turn up on his doorstep it will be their jurisdiction

BornToKill

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

I left messages on his phone saying that I would turn up on his doorstep if he didn't answer my calls.

What were you planning to do after turning up on the doorstep?

golden lane

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

I'm trying to get my sons father to meet us this weekend at his mothers house in the UK. He's a UK citizen. I left messages on his phone saying that I would turn up on his doorstep if he didn't answer my calls. Tonight I got a phone call from a policeman in the UK. (I double checked that it was genuine) He warned me not to turn up on my ex's doorstep.

I'm wondering if the UK police have the right to ring me directly? Surely proper procedure is to contact the Gardai who in turn would contact me. I feel a little intimidated by this because it doesn't sound right.

the uk police can only give you a courtesy call.....

there seems to be little information......

butb they can ring on someone elses behalf........but i think they would have have him in their custody....

ResearchWill

I would think if the office believed that the meeting could lead to a breach of the peace he may think its a good idea to head off the issue.

Is it really a good idea to force any person to meet their child if they don't want to, I can understand you doing your best to give your child every opportunity to meet their father, but it he has gone to the trouble to involve the police is it a good thing to force.

Prob best to say we will be at a certain public place like a local zoo or tourist attraction between x time and y time, I personally would not inform child before hand.

ABajaninCork

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

Thanks.

Why are they able to do that? I'm not in their jurisdiction. I would have expected that they would have to act via the Gardai.

Not necessarily. I'm no expert, but I am English. They can and do make 'friendly' phone calls. Did he also warn you you're liable to arrest if you do turn up?

fairwaysgirl

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Not necessarily. I'm no expert, but I am English. They can and do make 'friendly' phone calls. Did he also warn you you're liable to arrest if you do turn up?

I was told that my ex had asked the police to tell me not to show up at his house. The PC passed on a message that my ex would ring me in due course. I was told that I had broken no law, but it would be best if I didn't show up at his house. I asked was a complaint made about me and the answer was a resounding NO. The whole thing is bizarre. I haven't been abusive in my phone messages. I've done nothing wrong, yet I received, what I consider to be, a very unorthodox phone call.

ResearchWill

I know nothing of the laws of England and Wales, but section 126 of the Serious Orgainsed Crime and Police Act 2005


PROSPECTIVE

126Harassment etc. of a person in his home

(1)After section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (c. 16) insert—
“42AOffence of harassment etc. of a person in his home

(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)that person is present outside or in the vicinity of any premises that are used by any individual (“the resident”) as his dwelling;
(b)that person is present there for the purpose (by his presence or otherwise) of representing to the resident or another individual (whether or not one who uses the premises as his dwelling), or of persuading the resident or such another individual—
(i)that he should not do something that he is entitled or required to do; or
(ii)that he should do something that he is not under any obligation to do;
(c)that person—
(i)intends his presence to amount to the harassment of, or to cause alarm or distress to, the resident; or
(ii)knows or ought to know that his presence is likely to result in the harassment of, or to cause alarm or distress to, the resident; and
(d)the presence of that person—
(i)amounts to the harassment of, or causes alarm or distress to, any person falling within subsection (2); or
(ii)is likely to result in the harassment of, or to cause alarm or distress to, any such person.
(2)A person falls within this subsection if he is—
(a)the resident,
(b)a person in the resident's dwelling, or
(c)a person in another dwelling in the vicinity of the resident's dwelling.
(3)The references in subsection (1)(c) and (d) to a person's presence are references to his presence either alone or together with that of any other persons who are also present.
(4)For the purposes of this section a person (A) ought to know that his presence is likely to result in the harassment of, or to cause alarm or distress to, a resident if a reasonable person in possession of the same information would think that A's presence was likely to have that effect.
(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or to both.
(6)In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (alteration of penalties for summary offences), the reference in subsection (5) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 6 months.
(7)In this section “dwelling” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Public Order Act 1986.”
(2)A constable in uniform may arrest without warrant any person he reasonably suspects is committing or has committed an offence under section 42A (as inserted by subsection (1)).
(3)Subsection (2) ceases to have effect on the commencement of section 110 of this Act.

Procrastastudy

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

I was told that my ex had asked the police to tell me not to show up at his house. The PC passed on a message that my ex would ring me in due course. I was told that I had broken no law, but it would be best if I didn't show up at his house. I asked was a complaint made about me and the answer was a resounding NO. The whole thing is bizarre. I haven't been abusive in my phone messages. I've done nothing wrong, yet I received, what I consider to be, a very unorthodox phone call.

The UK police are much more involved in community policing than the Gardai. They are much more likely to make a call like this than a Garda. I'm not commenting on which is the correct policy.

You were harassing someone in his jurisdiction and he simply made a call. What law are you suggesting he may have broken?

ResearchWill

Also Section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 section 42 as amended by section 127 of the other act I posted is interesting.

Seems to me a police officer does not want to have to arrest a mother on his beat and then have to arrange for the child to be put in care while he is arresting the mother.

Police in UK way different to here, and from what I have just seen have way more power than here.

Kristopherus

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

I was told that my ex had asked the police to tell me not to show up at his house. The PC passed on a message that my ex would ring me in due course. I was told that I had broken no law, but it would be best if I didn't show up at his house. I asked was a complaint made about me and the answer was a resounding NO. The whole thing is bizarre. I haven't been abusive in my phone messages. I've done nothing wrong, yet I received, what I consider to be, a very unorthodox phone call.

I don't want to sound callous or judgmental, but if I got that kind of call, my understanding would be that my ex dose'nt want to have any contact with me or our child.

Procrastastudy

ResearchWill wrote: »

Also Section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 section 42 as amended by section 127 of the other act I posted is interesting.

Seems to me a police officer does not want to have to arrest a mother on his beat and then have to arrange for the child to be put in care while he is arresting the mother.

Police in UK way different to here, and from what I have just seen have way more power than here.

The 'advantages' of no written constitution perhaps?

fairwaysgirl

ResearchWill wrote: »

Seems to me a police officer does not want to have to arrest a mother on his beat and then have to arrange for the child to be put in care while he is arresting the mother.

Police in UK way different to here, and from what I have just seen have way more power than here.

With the greatest of respect, the "Child" is 24 years old and the father is 50 years old. This isn't some Jeremy Kyle type case. And for the very last time, I was not harassing anyone. The PC confirmed that no complaint of harassment was made. No crime was committed. No law was broken. But I still got a call from UK police requesting/suggesting/ordering (take your pick) that I or my son do not call to the house.

fairwaysgirl

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

The UK police are much more involved in community policing than the Gardai. They are much more likely to make a call like this than a Garda. I'm not commenting on which is the correct policy.

You were harassing someone in his jurisdiction and he simply made a call. What law are you suggesting he may have broken?

I was harassing nobody. The PC made it clear to me that no complaint of harassment was made and that I was breaking no law. Therefore the phone call had no real substance or relevance and merely sounded like an attempt to intimidate me.

Procrastastudy

Answer your phone or I'm travelling to another country and turning up on your doorstep - when the guy clearly doesn't want to know - is harassment.

It's a little ironic that you're then complaining about a call from someone telling you not to do that. The police haven't threatened you they've simply told you to cop on to yourself - as they tend to do. I don't know if that happens here but its a fairly common practise for the UK Police. They are trying to nip the situation in the bud before they possibly get called to remove you for trespass and harassment where a formal complaint will have been made.

If he's 24 why are you involved? If he and his father want a relationship they will organise it themselves they're both adults.

ResearchWill

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

With the greatest of respect, the "Child" is 24 years old and the father is 50 years old. This isn't some Jeremy Kyle type case. And for the very last time, I was not harassing anyone. The PC confirmed that no complaint of harassment was made. No crime was committed. No law was broken. But I still got a call from UK police requesting/suggesting/ordering (take your pick) that I or my son do not call to the house.

Firstly I incorrectly assumed it was a minor, maybe that was because you only identified the person as your son, my bad. Maybe i took a huge jump of logic to think a mother and son going to visit a father who was not happy with the idea would involve a mother and minor child.

I never said you where harassing him I just quoted the law in relation to a person private home, I do not know your situation other than what you posted, you posted to ask for people's opinions, and possible explanations, which I have given. If you read the sections I put up you will see it may be an offence to be (in the future) outside a person home in certain circumstances.

But after your reaction, I'll leave it to you to do what you want.

fairwaysgirl

Kristopherus wrote: »

I don't want to sound callous or judgmental, but if I got that kind of call, my understanding would be that my ex dose'nt want to have any contact with me or our child.

You are not being callous. You are merely stating the obvious. My issue is with the legality of the UK police ringing me when they themselves admit I've done nothing wrong. Once again I suggest that making contact via the Gardai would have been the correct procedure.

ResearchWill

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

You are not being callous. You are merely stating the obvious. My issue is with the legality of the UK police ringing me when they themselves admit I've done nothing wrong. Once again I suggest that making contact via the Gardai would have been the correct procedure.

Why he is a person ringing you, saying you have not committed any offence, so why does he have to contact AGS. He is just saying if you travel to the UK, it will be in his jurisdiction, he may be afraid that a crime maybe committed, maybe not by you.

Has he said you can not travel, has he said you will be arrested if you just turn up at the house.

MagicSean

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

You are not being callous. You are merely stating the obvious. My issue is with the legality of the UK police ringing me when they themselves admit I've done nothing wrong. Once again I suggest that making contact via the Gardai would have been the correct procedure.

Only in the case of a formal complaint with they usually go through the Gardaí. What possible law could they have broken?

Procrastastudy

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

You are not being callous. You are merely stating the obvious. My issue is with the legality of the UK police ringing me when they themselves admit I've done nothing wrong. Once again I suggest that making contact via the Gardai would have been the correct procedure.

Sticking to the legal issues - I don't believe there is a formal procedure set down in a treaty between the United Kingdom and Ireland. Even if there were the first stage of it would probably be to try and resolve the matter informally.

The Gardai would have told the guy to a) go away we're busy b) phone her yourself.

cutty9

is the father involved in something???? why the need for police?

fairwaysgirl

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

Answer your phone or I'm travelling to another country and turning up on your doorstep - when the guy clearly doesn't want to know - is harassment.

It's a little ironic that you're then complaining about a call from someone telling you not to do that. The police haven't threatened you they've simply told you to cop on to yourself - as they tend to do. I don't know if that happens here but its a fairly common practise for the UK Police. They are trying to nip the situation in the bud before they possibly get called to remove you for trespass and harassment where a formal complaint will have been made.

If he's 24 why are you involved? If he and his father want a relationship they will organise it themselves they're both adults.

While I have no wish to get into family law and its complexities with you, the full facts of this personal matter are not required for the purposes of my OP. You are making a judgement about the personal aspects of this issue based on assumption. You are in absolutely no position to state that the father does not want to know so please don't. The issue here is simple. I harassed nobody and then got a call from the UK police who confirmed I wasn't harassing anyone, but still decided to "suggest" I don't do a certain thing. I accept their suggestion. But what I don't accept is the fact that the UK police have the right to phone me to say this. My own opinion is that they should have acted via the Gardai.

ResearchWill

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

While I have no wish to get into family law and its complexities with you, the full facts of this personal matter are not required for the purposes of my OP. You are making a judgement about the personal aspects of this issue based on assumption. You are in absolutely no position to state that the father does not want to know so please don't. The issue here is simple. I harassed nobody and then got a call from the UK police who confirmed I wasn't harassing anyone, but still decided to "suggest" I don't do a certain thing. I accept their suggestion. But what I don't accept is the fact that the UK police have the right to phone me to say this. My own opinion is that they should have acted via the Gardai.

If you don't want people to assume then either give all relevant info or don't post. If you have a problem with what officer did, as you said "But what I don't accept is the fact that the UK police have the right to phone me" then contact http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/default.aspx.

Kristopherus

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

You are not being callous. You are merely stating the obvious. My issue is with the legality of the UK police ringing me when they themselves admit I've done nothing wrong. Once again I suggest that making contact via the Gardai would have been the correct procedure.

But, at the end of the day, how much better would that have made you feel? The advice from the Gardai would have been the same.
I also understood that the child was a minor. You have since clarified that s/he is 24 years old. In that case, you have no right to get involved. The "Child is a legal entity and is independant of you, legally. Its the father's choice not to get involved.
I have a feeling you're not telling the full story, sadly. There are questions to be asked, but since you're complaint is against the UK policeman, this would be off topic.

fairwaysgirl

ResearchWill wrote: »

Why he is a person ringing you, saying you have not committed any offence, so why does he have to contact AGS. He is just saying if you travel to the UK, it will be in his jurisdiction, he may be afraid that a crime maybe committed, maybe not by you.

Has he said you can not travel, has he said you will be arrested if you just turn up at the house.

Once again with the greatest of respect, can anyone merely answer the original question?

If I haven't committed any offence, why should a PC from the UK ring me regarding a personal matter?

fairwaysgirl

ResearchWill wrote: »

If you don't want people to assume then either give all relevant info or don't post. If you have a problem with what officer did, as you said "But what I don't accept is the fact that the UK police have the right to phone me" then contact http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/default.aspx.

I'm aware of the IPCC. Thanks.

blindside88

You have come on here seeking advise, everytime someone offers advise you seem to go off on one about them not knowing all the facts and that they should not jump to conclusions. With all due respect a number of posters have told you that the uk policy have done nothing wrong. I can't really see what your problem is tbh

millb

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

I was told that my ex had asked the police to tell me not to show up at his house. The PC passed on a message that my ex would ring me in due course. I was told that I had broken no law, but it would be best if I didn't show up at his house. I asked was a complaint made about me and the answer was a resounding NO. The whole thing is bizarre. I haven't been abusive in my phone messages. I've done nothing wrong, yet I received, what I consider to be, a very unorthodox phone call.

So maybe the PC should contact interpol and all Gardai in Ireland and any other country you are in (eg on your mobile number) to ask them to inform you about a law you intend to disrespect when you visit his juristiction next week.. sounds like alot of unorthodox ideas are going on with your intention to create an incident or scene

slimjimmc

Of course they have the right to contact you, there's no prohibition. It'a no different to a Garda tipping a parent off about their child's behaviour before it becomes a criminal matter. Policing is more than imposing the law, it's also about trying to prevent things developing to the stage where law is broken. That's why the UK police rang, prevention better than cure. I see nothing wrong in what they've done.

I'm sorry for your predicament but imo you're just looking to make an issue out of a non-issue.

MagicSean

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

Once again with the greatest of respect, can anyone merely answer the original question?

If I haven't committed any offence, why should a PC from the UK ring me regarding a personal matter?

It's been answered. He wanted to prevent your situation escalating into a criminal matter.

ResearchWill

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

Once again with the greatest of respect, can anyone merely answer the original question?

If I haven't committed any offence, why should a PC from the UK ring me regarding a personal matter?

With the greatest of respect I have answered your question, simple he can, you may not like it well tough, if you really think he has committed an offence or broken any rule complain him.

Everyone here has tried to answer your question to the best of there ability, with little information, and with the greatest of respect you have been belittling, no wonder he is your ex.

Procrastastudy

OP you've asked for opinions but you keep firing back your own. Given out of all the posts you have gained no support for your position I would suggest, with respect, you re-evaluate whether you are being reasonable in taking offense to the call.

28064212

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

Once again with the greatest of respect, can anyone merely answer the original question?

If I haven't committed any offence, why should a PC from the UK ring me regarding a personal matter?

The answer to that question is that he wants to prevent the possibility of a crime in his jurisdiction.

The actual question should be: Is it illegal for a PC from the UK to ring you in the circumstances you describe? I suspect it's perfectly legal, but it's unlikely that anyone here can answer it. If you believe a law has been broken, the IPCC would be your next step

Zambia

If A UK Constable rang your Local Garda Station and asked them to call you and tell you not to go. I would bet a case of beer the Garda's answer would be along the lines of.

"What did your last phone slave die off ring her yourself like, do you think I have nothing better to be doing than ringing people for you."

The cop has taken a very pro active approach he has probably met your bloke and assessed should you turn up uninvited a possible assault (on you) may occur.

He by making a simple phone call has possibly saved you a very bad experience in the UK.

Zambia

28064212 wrote: »

The actual question should be: Is it illegal for a PC from the UK to ring you in the circumstances you describe? I suspect it's perfectly legal, but it's unlikely that anyone here can answer it. If you believe a law has been broken, the IPCC would be your next step

Is it illegal for a Garda to ring the UK and give a person this advice. ?

I would bet heavily its not illegal in any way.

Marcusm

fairwaysgirl wrote: »

Once again with the greatest of respect, can anyone merely answer the original question?

If I haven't committed any offence, why should a PC from the UK ring me regarding a personal matter?

What I don't get is why you think they should have rung the Gardai? That would irritate me more as that would be bringing you to the attention of the police where you live. It sounds like the father and/or other family members do not wish to get involved with what is to happen when you arrive. discussing it with the UK police could have led to them forming the view that a phone call might avoid a situation which could itself have led to a breach of the peace. Personally, I'd be more annoyed if they rang the gardai and suggested you might become involved in a breach of the peace. It sounds like they are trying to mark your card in the event that an issue does arise. Be annopyed that they rang you at all, don't be annoyed that they didn't raise it with the gardai first.

mrjoneill

Police and public servants have no powers only that which is conferred on them by law or long precedence and the latter often has being brought to an abrupt endings in the courts. The Gardai and British police continually write to people in both jurisdiction, that of seeking information and to return to their jurisdiction for to be interviewed. Where they travel to either jurisdiction to take statements it’s done under the supervision of the police in that jurisdiction and one has the right to decline to be intervened by them. Seems to me that the UK police were exercising a policing function in another jurisdiction. UK police have no extra-territorial function in Ireland only for that which is legislated for with N Ireland. I would write to the Chief Constable of the Constabulary in question and ask on what authority that the police man was operating on. Secondly I would contact the Dept of Foreign Affairs for their views on it; they may send it to the Dept of Justice for reply.

Aggiem

I don't believe for a moment that a policeman would ring up an individual in another country and issue a warning to them, whether 'a friendly warning' or otherwise. If this was genuinely from a police station, which I doubt, then it was probably a friend of his who happens to be a police officer. Did you get the caller's name, his rank and the station he was ringing from? Considering that he said no complaint against you was lodged, he would have no grounds for acting as you say he did. If you know where the call originated you should email or write to the place in question, outlining what you have said about the call and asking for an explanation for such action.
Regarding your intention to turn up at your ex-partner's house, it depends on whether you have a relationship with her and how she would feel about you doing that. I don't think you can force your ex to meet the children, nor should you try to, but you can get him to pay his fair share in maintenance. You should look for legal aid to do that, and forget about trying to prolong a relationship that seems to have ended.
Such confrontation would not be good for your children, and is likely to make a bad situation worse.

ABajaninCork

Aggiem wrote: »

I don't believe for a moment that a policeman would ring up an individual in another country and issue a warning to them, whether 'a friendly warning' or otherwise. If this was genuinely from a police station, which I doubt, then it was probably a friend of his who happens to be a police officer. Did you get the caller's name, his rank and the station he was ringing from? Considering that he said no complaint against you was lodged, he would have no grounds for acting as you say he did. If you know where the call originated you should email or write to the place in question, outlining what you have said about the call and asking for an explanation for such action.
Regarding your intention to turn up at your ex-partner's house, it depends on whether you have a relationship with her and how she would feel about you doing that. I don't think you can force your ex to meet the children, nor should you try to, but you can get him to pay his fair share in maintenance. You should look for legal aid to do that, and forget about trying to prolong a relationship that seems to have ended.
Such confrontation would not be good for your children, and is likely to make a bad situation worse.

Think you'll find the OP did check. And the call was genuine. All the Old Bill were doing was marking her card.

MagicSean

mrjoneill wrote: »

Police and public servants have no powers only that which is conferred on them by law or long precedence and the latter often has being brought to an abrupt endings in the courts. The Gardai and British police continually write to people in both jurisdiction, that of seeking information and to return to their jurisdiction for to be interviewed. Where they travel to either jurisdiction to take statements it’s done under the supervision of the police in that jurisdiction and one has the right to decline to be intervened by them. Seems to me that the UK police were exercising a policing function in another jurisdiction. UK police have no extra-territorial function in Ireland only for that which is legislated for with N Ireland. I would write to the Chief Constable of the Constabulary in question and ask on what authority that the police man was operating on. Secondly I would contact the Dept of Foreign Affairs for their views on it; they may send it to the Dept of Justice for reply.

The police officer did not exercise any legal powers so there is no question of them policing another jurisdiction

Aggiem wrote: »

I don't believe for a moment that a policeman would ring up an individual in another country and issue a warning to them, whether 'a friendly warning' or otherwise. If this was genuinely from a police station, which I doubt, then it was probably a friend of his who happens to be a police officer. Did you get the caller's name, his rank and the station he was ringing from? Considering that he said no complaint against you was lodged, he would have no grounds for acting as you say he did. If you know where the call originated you should email or write to the place in question, outlining what you have said about the call and asking for an explanation for such action.
Regarding your intention to turn up at your ex-partner's house, it depends on whether you have a relationship with her and how she would feel about you doing that. I don't think you can force your ex to meet the children, nor should you try to, but you can get him to pay his fair share in maintenance. You should look for legal aid to do that, and forget about trying to prolong a relationship that seems to have ended.
Such confrontation would not be good for your children, and is likely to make a bad situation worse.

There is nothin which prevents a police officer contacting someone in any country in the world by phone.

mrjoneill

MagicSean wrote: »

The police officer did not exercise any legal powers so there is no question of them policing another jurisdiction

This is not about exercising a legal powers rather it’s the absence of such powers in the right of the police officer in one jurisdiction exercising a policing issue in another.

MagicSean wrote: »

There is nothin which prevents a police officer contacting someone in any country in the world by phone.

Rather I would expect all public servant exercise their powers as is prescribed by law or established precedence.

MagicSean

mrjoneill wrote: »

This is not about exercising a legal powers rather it’s the absence of such powers in the right of the police officer in one jurisdiction exercising a policing issue in another.

A police officer does not need legislative powers to perform an action which is allowed to all and sundry. I mean there is no legislative power to permit a police man to buy a newspaper but that doesn't mean he can't do it.

mrjoneill wrote: »

Rather I would expect all public servant exercise their powers as is prescribed by law or established precedence.

As I already said. He didn't exercise any power. He phoned someone and had a conversation.

Zambia

mrjoneill wrote: »

This is not about exercising a legal powers rather it’s the absence of such powers in the right of the police officer in one jurisdiction exercising a policing issue in another.



Rather I would expect all public servant exercise their powers as is prescribed by law or established precedence.

Unless something is illegal it is assumed to be legal.

Or is that just my take on this

castie

This is a bit of a joke...

He made a phone call.
He obviously believe there would be a situation if they arrived in the UK.
Also from the interactions it seems clear that harrassment was going to happen if they entered the UK.

As such he was being accomodating trying to avoid this situation which could of resulted in the person spending a night in a cell.

Get over it.

mrjoneill

MagicSean wrote: »

A police officer does not need legislative powers to perform an action which is allowed to all and sundry. I mean there is no legislative power to permit a police man to buy a newspaper but that doesn't mean he can't do it.

Since when has a police officer buying a newspaper become a policing function?

MagicSean wrote: »

As I already said. He didn't exercise any power. He phoned someone and had a conversation.

Seems to me he certainly did, that is going on the face value of the poster, he identified himself as a police officer and he gave a warning acting in that capacity.

mrjoneill

Zambia wrote: »

Unless something is illegal it is assumed to be legal.

Or is that just my take on this

Going on that principal; there would be virtually unfettered control over what public servants could do.
That may be for the public but someone acting in a public capacity their powers to so act is usually defined by law or long precedence.

28064212

mrjoneill wrote: »

Since when has a police officer buying a newspaper become a policing function?

Seems to me he certainly did, that is going on the face value of the poster, he identified himself as a police officer and he gave a warning acting in that capacity.

Where does it say the warning was in his capacity as a police officer?