Reverse Psychology
Track of the day How About You - Oscar Peterson Trio.
Just over a week ago, between 15 and 50 cars had their tyres slashed in the streets round where I live. The immediate police response was to say that they would be increasing police patrols in the area. Increasing? As far as I can see, there have been no patrols for a number of years now which is probably one reason why idiots feel able to slash tyres with impunity.
Last night's paper reported that the local police force was drafting in extra 'Special Constables' to address the problem.
I don't wish to seem negative here, let's face it any presence is better than nothing but there has to be something wrong with a police force that relies on volunteer, unpaid 'Specials' to solve its problems.
Two years ago ex heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis explained that he didn't feel 'special' enough to do the job of a Police Officer. He felt that he would want to get 'too hands on with people'. Another recruitment masterpiece used Lisa Potts, the nursery nurse who put her own life at risk protecting 4 year old children from a madman with a machete. She didn't feel qualified to become a police officer either.
I've no idea how successful these reverse psychology campaigns were but according to Hansard, the outlay for TV adverts was £1,020,000 on Regular Police recruitment and £1,700,000 on 'Specials' recruitment. I'm sorry guys but if neither the giant Lennox Lewis nor the diminutive Lisa Potts felt up to doing the job, that doesn't actually give the rest of us much encouragement.
The current campaign to recruit 'Specials' uses the same reverse psychology technique. "I couldn't be a volunteer police officer. Could you?" and the small print continues in the same vein, "Could you do everything a regular officer needs to do, and hold down your job at the same time?"
Before you rush off to volunteer, the following occupations are considered incompatible with the office of constable and it is recommended that applicants employed in these occupations should not be appointed to the Special Constabulary. This list is NOT exhaustive:
Members of the armed forces. Members of the fire service. Traffic wardens and school crossing patrols. Employers of security personnel, guards and doormen. Neighbourhood wardens. Civilian detention officers. Prison custody officers and finally, persons taking an active part in politics.
Still interested? "All applicants are assessed by occupational health to determine, whether, from a medical point of view, applicants are suitable. The medical appointments are approx. 40 minutes. The medical consists of a hearing aid test, eyesight test and a drug test." You’ll also need to take the national Job Related Fitness Test to ensure you can undertake physically demanding tasks like running, chasing suspects, and handling police equipment.
Reassuring isn't it?
Just over a week ago, between 15 and 50 cars had their tyres slashed in the streets round where I live. The immediate police response was to say that they would be increasing police patrols in the area. Increasing? As far as I can see, there have been no patrols for a number of years now which is probably one reason why idiots feel able to slash tyres with impunity.Last night's paper reported that the local police force was drafting in extra 'Special Constables' to address the problem.
I don't wish to seem negative here, let's face it any presence is better than nothing but there has to be something wrong with a police force that relies on volunteer, unpaid 'Specials' to solve its problems.
Two years ago ex heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis explained that he didn't feel 'special' enough to do the job of a Police Officer. He felt that he would want to get 'too hands on with people'. Another recruitment masterpiece used Lisa Potts, the nursery nurse who put her own life at risk protecting 4 year old children from a madman with a machete. She didn't feel qualified to become a police officer either.
I've no idea how successful these reverse psychology campaigns were but according to Hansard, the outlay for TV adverts was £1,020,000 on Regular Police recruitment and £1,700,000 on 'Specials' recruitment. I'm sorry guys but if neither the giant Lennox Lewis nor the diminutive Lisa Potts felt up to doing the job, that doesn't actually give the rest of us much encouragement.
The current campaign to recruit 'Specials' uses the same reverse psychology technique. "I couldn't be a volunteer police officer. Could you?" and the small print continues in the same vein, "Could you do everything a regular officer needs to do, and hold down your job at the same time?"
Before you rush off to volunteer, the following occupations are considered incompatible with the office of constable and it is recommended that applicants employed in these occupations should not be appointed to the Special Constabulary. This list is NOT exhaustive:
Members of the armed forces. Members of the fire service. Traffic wardens and school crossing patrols. Employers of security personnel, guards and doormen. Neighbourhood wardens. Civilian detention officers. Prison custody officers and finally, persons taking an active part in politics.
Still interested? "All applicants are assessed by occupational health to determine, whether, from a medical point of view, applicants are suitable. The medical appointments are approx. 40 minutes. The medical consists of a hearing aid test, eyesight test and a drug test." You’ll also need to take the national Job Related Fitness Test to ensure you can undertake physically demanding tasks like running, chasing suspects, and handling police equipment.
Reassuring isn't it?
Posted by Milt at 2:01:00 pm
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