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 John McMullan on
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I am just so pleased to hear that they are frequenting our local cafes on their beat that I really couldn't care less about a drink or two here and there. I'd certainly buy them one if they'd let me.
I think you should worry more about the Met's cosy relationship with the News of the World.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Hmm. I think there's a world of difference between a coffee and holidays in Turkey, or even between coffee and a meal. For my money, I'd say accepting a coffee from a local shop is probably conducive to building good relationships and would encourage it. I'd imagine refusing it would damage working relationships - an acid test in any hospitality policy.
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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Osbawn* Have you noticed how the police look younger every year ?
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@Osbawn, you sound envious more than concerned.
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OSBAWN. Assumptions when not in full possession of the facts, however well meaning can lead to a number incorrect conclusions being reached.
As the supervisor of the two PCSO's you mention above, i am in full possession of the facts and if i may i will allay your fears about them accepting gratuities and potentially becoming impartial when performing their valuable role in the community.
On the day in question they did indeed attend the above establishment for their authorised refreshment break. It is encouarged for officers to eat within local establishments to garner the public relations between businesses an ourselves. Just prior to entering they were asked by myself to attend a call nearby. So as not to be rude and ignore the manager who had already acknowledged them they walked in to explain that they would be back for their lunch. He passed them a coke and a water to drink whilst walking to the call. On completion of the call, they returned to Hala and sat in the restaurant and ate their lunch. They then paid in full for their lunch and beverages. You may have already left by this point.
Without labouring the point, our contact details are made available through a number of different mediums and can be used for any queries and concerns in the future, such as whether or not officers are accepting gratuities, be them cans of coke or holidays in Turkey. You will also be given the facts of exactly what has happened as sometimes, overseeing something briefly does not fully furnish you with the full picture and as we all know, things are not always as they first appear.
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All you parents out there, never allow your child to offer an apple to their teacher or teaching assistant. There may be a son of Osbawn's or a daughter of Louisa's lurking in the back row.
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No - it's out of order. My constable friend says that he would never do it 'Don't want to be beholden to them and it's a bad image for the public.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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The website for Standards for England sets out the rules for councillors who accept "gifts and hospitality". In short, we have to declare anything worth £25 or more.
Standards for England is likely to be abolished in early 2012 in the so-called "Bonfire of the Quangos".
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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I think you've had a bad day at the office or under the stairs ! No-one has forced anyone to do anything and whats the problem with a couple of PCSO's accepting a tea or a coffee anyway - even if it is by strict iterpretation against the rules. I'm afraid that its this kind of petty rule pushing that does no-one any good.
This is not -repeat not - under the counter gun running or support for drug-dealers. its a couple of neighbourhood police accepting a soft drink in the way that any of us might make the same offer to a window cleaner, your plumber, the local priest, the painter & decorator man, the hairdresser...your social worker when any of them pop in and visit and some of them might return the favour ! Its not a requirement, you don't need to do it. Its your choice. its their choice.
Some people do offer free drinks & a biscuit to friends or people they simply pass that day .Some people don't. So please get off your high horse & go and spot the real rights and wrongs that plague our society. Praise the PCSO's for what they do and the shopkeeper for his polite generosity.
If you are still showing signs of unrestlessness...make yourself a nice coffee & have a biscuit on the house.
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by Louise Nazeraj on
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AND the drinks were paid for, so it's not even a question of police officers accepting freebies. No need to be beholden or ruin their public image.
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Osbawn,
2 pieces of advice:
1. Come out with your real name rather than hiding under a sub-name & a cloak of
anonymity to make ridiculous statements like this. PCSO'd in fact have very few powers greater than you or I. They are not PC's. There is a big difference.
2. Get a life !
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