Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Freebies for Police: where's the line?
I was in Hala yesterday when two PCSOs walked in and said hello to one of the staff behind the counter. They were then offered drinks which they accepted (a coke and a water) and then left. Nothing else was discussed and I got the impression that they popped in for a free drink any time they felt thirsty. Now, I'm not suggesting they are corrupt. I think our local police do a good job in a difficult area and I hold them in high regard. However, the acceptance of freebies from local businesses does bring into doubt their ability to enforce the law impartially. Obviously drinks are of little consequence but it's the principle. What's the difference between a drink and a meal, or regular meals or holidays at the shop owner's villa in Turkey?
I'm surprised the PCSOs hadn't been drilled in training about the slippery slope to corruption and the importance of avoiding such relationships/transactions because of how they could be perceived by the public.
There are two risks:
1. That police/PCSOs accept some freebies and get compromised by more generous ones which could affect their integrity.
2. That local businesses feel obliged to offer freebies to the police to avoid abuses of power. Neither is good!
Is this a one-off or have others seen this sort of thing too? Is it something to be concerned about? I feel it undoes some of the good work performed by their colleagues.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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Cripes ! if i'd posted even half of what's being said here i would have been rugby tackled to the floor by Admin in two seconds flat and pummelled to a bloody mess.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Cosgrove on
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Agree with you Osbawn re protocols for discussing such issues. Also agree with Osbawns original point. I think others have made some good counter points however I personally would be uncomfortable with seeing police/pcso's get free drinks because I would be left wondering what other gratuities they might be getting for what? The policy of eating in local restaurants and cafes is though a good one in my opinion as it fosters good relations. But thats where, in my opinion it should end.
I am particularly pleased to have read an explanation of the officers actions by their supervisor Tim and to have pretty much the above policy confirmed. I accept it might have been more skillful to have called the local police station and enquire of their policy regarding receiving free drinks etc from local businesses. Or indeed to have asked the cafe owner why he had apparently given the officers free drinks. People/bodies in my opinion need our scrutiny but respond better by being given the benefit of doubt in being questioned directly.
Equally however I would have said this transaction was ambivalent, and now that it has been aired on this forum, I would like to have seen a little more acknowledgment of that fact by Tim and consequently to have phrased his reply in a way that was more supportive of question being asked.
Summarily I would like to commend Osbawn for raising the point,Tim and the police for participating and responding to this forum and indeed all who have participated. I think we have all re-learned a lesson or two. M Cosgrove
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