Coppers

01-12-2010 09:47PM

Rialtas wrote: »

It's a good show. It's what we've come to expect from Channel 4. That recent documentary on human trafficking and last year's documentary on the CID in Hampshire were excellent also.

On a side issue, I'd have my doubts about the uniforms that seem to be common place across all the episodes, but especially in episode 3.

That one officer with the black fleece, black combats and taser reverse strapped to his leg is not what a beat officer should look like IMO. The Garda RSU's look less paramilitary? Fair enough they were a response oriented unit being featured, but they still operate within local communities and there should probably be a little less of that get up.

They were as you say a response unit, their sole job being to respond to priority calls. Tasers were introduced to UK forces in the last couple of years. Some forces gave them to traffic units and some to TSG teams. Obviously the force featured gave them to the response teams, because guess who gets to most calls first? Unarmed officers. These lads don't walk the beat.

Rialtas · 01-12-2010 10:50PM

foreign wrote: »

They were as you say a response unit, their sole job being to respond to priority calls. Tasers were introduced to UK forces in the last couple of years. Some forces gave them to traffic units and some to TSG teams. Obviously the force featured gave them to the response teams, because guess who gets to most calls first? Unarmed officers. These lads don't walk the beat.

I'm aware they don't walk the beat and also the rationale behind tasers. I was referring more to the fact that they look like something akin to the dodgy security guards and not traditional police officers. At least here, when you see a uniformed Garda, there is no doubt that he or she is a police officer because they usually have the traditional blue shirt, tie etc.

If you saw those lads from Kent coming, you could be excused for initially thinking they were bouncers or even street cleaners. Just a personal preference for the traditional uniform on my part.

cushtac · 02-12-2010 12:08AM

Rialtas wrote: »

At least here, when you see a uniformed Garda, there is no doubt that he or she is a police officer because they usually have the traditional blue shirt, tie etc.

A uniform which is uncomfortable, impractical and ill-suited to the modern job.

starviewadams · 02-12-2010 02:42AM

Just watched the ep about the riot police,good show,although I thought the officer who was basicaly bragging to a female protester that he could kick whoever he liked in the balls was a bit of an arsehole,get them in every profession tho I' spose.

02-12-2010 08:14AM

starviewadams wrote: »

Just watched the ep about the riot police,good show,although I thought the officer who was basicaly bragging to a female protester that he could kick whoever he liked in the balls was a bit of an arsehole,get them in every profession tho I' spose.

He mentioned that in relation to a specific scenario. He didn't say he can just go around kicking anybody he wanted to .

starviewadams · 02-12-2010 05:23PM

foreign wrote: »

He mentioned that in relation to a specific scenario. He didn't say he can just go around kicking anybody he wanted to .

Yeah I know,just thought he had a very overly aggressive attitude in general though,an attitude that would more than likely increase tension with the protesters rather then diffuse it.

cushtac · 02-12-2010 06:39PM

starviewadams wrote: »

Yeah I know,just thought he had a very overly aggressive attitude in general though,an attitude that would more than likely increase tension with the protesters rather then diffuse it.

I thought the protesters were doing a good enough job of that themselves.

Rialtas · 02-12-2010 06:52PM

cushtac wrote: »

A uniform which is uncomfortable, impractical and ill-suited to the modern job.

Maybe so, I'm sure the kit the Gardai get is bog standard and made locally, but the US agencies still predominantly use the shirt and pants so there must be a way of making the traditional uniform practical. I suppose they use vendors like Blauer and Elbeco and they actually put a lot of R&D into the usability of their products.

Anyway, it was just a personal observation over one or two of the episodes that there seemed to be a lack of uniformity...a lot of guys with stubble etc.

Locust · 02-12-2010 08:53PM

starviewadams wrote: »

Yeah I know,just thought he had a very overly aggressive attitude in general though,an attitude that would more than likely increase tension with the protesters rather then diffuse it.

I suppose he's right though, he's allowed to use force, and it is lawful and he is there to protect life/property - i.e. someone getting seriously injuried/death etc... and when he gets people up in his face saying he's abusing his power/a disgrace/shame on you etc.... i'm sure it 'gets to them' - you know? He has no problem squaring up to someone off side and telling them - he can do this, thats what he's lawfully there.

I think the aggression (physical and verbal) is needed (controlled aggression that is) as the situation may have or has rapidly deteriorated - don't forget other avenues such as tact, persuasion, umpteen verbal warnings etc... by regular cops may have all been exhausted. At this stage i think they should suit up, line up the public order lads and get aggressive towards people who aren't getting the message to, move off the street or whatever, because at this stage - some of them (not all obviously) are out for blood/carnage.

mbeire · 03-12-2010 03:34AM

Rialtas wrote: »

Maybe so, I'm sure the kit the Gardai get is bog standard and made locally,..

NO ITEM of clothing or equipment will be manufactured by an Irish company to fill a three-year €12 million contract to supply 14,000 uniforms to An Garda Síochána, the Department of Finance has revealed.

Replying to Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Martin Mansergh said the contract was awarded to James Boylan Safety Limited, Milltown, Co Monaghan, following a tender. Link

An Irish Company supplies the uniform but none of it is made in Ireland

Rialtas wrote: »

...the US agencies still predominantly use the shirt and pants so there must be a way of making the traditional uniform practical.....

The US police Departments have a similar looking style of uniform to ours; however there is a lot of money put into each individual officer’s uniform and I believe that each uniform is tailor made to each officer requirements. This is unlike ours which I find ill-fitting and poorly made.

I believe in New York it’s next to impossible to spot two police officers in the exact same style of uniform. This is because the NYPD pay each officer an allowance, so they can go out and get uniform items tailor made from specific authorised uniform shops in New York.

This give officers choice and comfort in what they wear but uniformity is gone.

If you need the police you won’t care what they are wearing.

Also, I don’t think Public perception should place a part in deciding a Police uniform style. Practicality, comfort, and quality, should be the main deciding factors. A comfortable copper is a happy copper.

Rialtas wrote: »

...just a personal observation over one or two of the episodes that there seemed to be a lack of uniformity...a lot of guys with stubble etc.

I agree with you regarding the lads with stubble. I see that as untidy but he may be trying for a beard. I wouldn’t like the clean shaven restriction lifted, however if Gardaí were to be allowed have beards, id like it to be kept trimmed and tidy looking.

At the same time, why should an organisation be allowed to effectively restrict beards? Once you look clean, tidy, and professional then it shouldn’t matter if you have a beard or not.

Mod's: Sorry of going off-topic a small bit

msg11 · 10-01-2012 05:38AM

Well folks, season 2 has kicked off there last night. Would I call it an excellent episode ? Yes, although at times one of the cases in particular shows how mentally draining the job can be. Personally loved the witty banter/jokes.

Worth a watch.

An Udaras · 11-01-2012 02:06AM

Very refreshing show and always enjoy the insight into the English style of policing compared our own here.. Enjoyable differences..

The intro.. I thinks many of us are guilty of similar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1uST461qw

Kintarō Hattori · 12-01-2012 02:12PM

Really enjoyed the first episode of the new season. This is such a breath of fresh air compared to all the other shows I've seen where it's all fast paced chases, dealing with drunken yobs etc.... rather than showing how things (I suspect) really are.

I don't remember his name but the CID chap (well dressed) was very interesting/funny, he came across very well as did the chap who was dealing with the sex offender.

I thought it was a particularly good episode and got my missus to watch some of it as I thought it highlighted what most police work is (I suspect) like, ie- the guy with the PS3 who wouldn't answer the police officers questions, the repeat burglar who was just a nuisance.......... lots of frustration and very little results.

polarbearhead · 16-01-2012 10:32PM

just watched this show tonight. good but i thought the PC pushing the drunk over was way out of line. absolutely no need for it

coolhandluke · 16-01-2012 10:52PM

Fair hairy now, police car burnt out, station firebombed, brick through the side window of a police car going at high speed.......most vulnerable in society.

have_a_go_hero · 16-01-2012 11:11PM

is it on 4oD??

msg11 · 17-01-2012 05:42AM

polarbearhead wrote: »

just watched this show tonight. good but i thought the PC pushing the drunk over was way out of line. absolutely no need for it

In fairness to the PC, he was asked to move on about 5-6 times. He wasn't going to move so the PC was trying to get him to move so he wouldn't get arrested. He gave him a shove with a bit too much force. If your going to be shouting the odds, pissed in a public place at 1/2pm in the day, you should be arrested on the spot. He had his chances, didn't feel sorry for him at all.

polarbearhead · 17-01-2012 08:16PM

msg11 wrote: »

In fairness to the PC, he was asked to move on about 5-6 times. He wasn't going to move so the PC was trying to get him to move so he wouldn't get arrested. He gave him a shove with a bit too much force. If your going to be shouting the odds, pissed in a public place at 1/2pm in the day, you should be arrested on the spot. He had his chances, didn't feel sorry for him at all.

when he was nt leaving he should have arrested him not shoved him.that was never going to work. that drunk could have hopped his head off the ground and done serious damage to himself. the PC would be in sh1te then. i wonder how footage like that would go down in Ireland?

goldie fish · 18-01-2012 01:25AM

Funniest TV I have seen in ages. Notts seem to have a much lower class of scum than we have here.

savagecabbages · 18-01-2012 03:34AM

have_a_go_hero wrote: »

is it on 4oD??

Yes. Watching it right now

msg11 · 18-01-2012 01:42PM

polarbearhead wrote: »

when he was nt leaving he should have arrested him not shoved him.that was never going to work. that drunk could have hopped his head off the ground and done serious damage to himself. the PC would be in sh1te then. i wonder how footage like that would go down in Ireland?

I'm sure he has had his head knocked off the ground a few times, considering they where fighting over a cheese sandwich.

It was funny when he was back in the station, what the hell was he saying?

have_a_go_hero · 06-02-2012 11:31PM

did anyone see tonights episode? is it normal for the cops to crossover from un-armed to armed? a few of tonights armed officers appeared earlier in the series un-armed

An Udaras · 06-02-2012 11:44PM

Yes this is common in the UK. In this instance same guys that where bricked during the riots.

have_a_go_hero · 06-02-2012 11:50PM

yeah thats them....must be annoying when they are on unarmed patrol and a call comes in for an armed unit....

Owen_S · 16-02-2012 12:07AM

Just watched the 6th episode of season 2. I was expecting a lot more of the show from the comments in this thread. They really don't help with the negativity surrounding the Police. First they arrest somebody for stating his opinion, then later on in the show they arrest somebody in questionable circumstances and the officer seems to act childish with the person, losing all reason and ignoring him even though he was cooperating. They could have at least shown that football fan the nearest bin for his can of coke, poor guy couldn't get on the bus :pac:

are you serious · 16-02-2012 08:27PM

Owen_S wrote: »

Just watched the 6th episode of season 2. I was expecting a lot more of the show from the comments in this thread. They really don't help with the negativity surrounding the Police. First they arrest somebody for stating his opinion, then later on in the show they arrest somebody in questionable circumstances and the officer seems to act childish with the person, losing all reason and ignoring him even though he was cooperating. They could have at least shown that football fan the nearest bin for his can of coke, poor guy couldn't get on the bus :pac:

1 - For stating his opinion but also using foul and abusive language.... But I suppose thats why the police are there to be cursed at by drunk eejits..

2 - He ignored him because when eejits like this are not ignored and they are entertained people like him who are that drunk get worse...

3 - They are police officers not county council workers, they wouldnt know where all the bins are... But I suppose police are not normal people they know everything! :rolleyes:

Shield · 19-02-2012 06:53PM

This:

garkane wrote: »

But I suppose police are not normal people they know everything! :rolleyes:

...caught my eye.

Care to explain what you mean in that sentence?

are you serious · 19-02-2012 07:32PM

Shield wrote: »

This:

garkane wrote: »

But I suppose police are not normal people they know everything! :rolleyes:

...caught my eye.

Care to explain what you mean in that sentence?

Wel as I've said in another thread I work in Dunlin city centre and the things we get asked when working are crazy, from being expected to know each bus route and where the stops are to every street name on a side of the city that I don't work in. Then there's always one who asks did you hear about that incident on my road the other day.... Of course I didn't!!!

Just makes me laugh then when that poster said the police could have told him where the nearest bin was... Hence my reply after it! It was meant as a tongue in cheek comment...

Shield · 19-02-2012 07:52PM

Sorry about that. It just looked like you were taking a swipe at all law enforcement officials, be they described as Police, Gardaí, Heddlu, etc.. and because I don't recall seeing you on the forum, I didn't know which way to take it. Are you full-time or Reserve?

are you serious · 19-02-2012 08:15PM

Shield wrote: »

Sorry about that. It just looked like you were taking a swipe at all law enforcement officials, be they described as Police, Gardaí, Heddlu, etc.. and because I don't recall seeing you on the forum, I didn't know which way to take it. Are you full-time or Reserve?

Ah no bother I assumed ya had read it totally the wrong way alright

I'm full time. I never knew the ES forum was there only I checked the most recent posts a while back and it popped up, hadn't posted in any of the threads for a long time i just read along and luaghed away, some times it's just too hard to bite the lip

Coppers

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