Image Manipulation by Rob Thomas
As is often the way on a lazy Saturday, I found myself cradling yet another tepid coffee and watching News 24 performing it's never-ending ludicrous loop of abject absurdity.
A great deal of broadcast minutes today were occupied by the story of how many communities are clubbing together and purchasing the services of private security companies to patrol their streets.
Of course, the question being asked, by the BBC if nobody else - was 'Is There A Role For the Private Sector in Policing?'
Now, this might seem a big question. So I thought I'd help out.
The primary focus seemed to be that these rent-a bobbies have no 'powers'. The media always refer to it as 'powers' like they're superheroes or something. I assume what they mean is 'authority'.
Now, today's streets are, often almost exclusively, patrolled by 'Community Officers' of which there are undoubtedly some excellent examples out there (There are, I've met some of them).
However, these community officers also have no 'powers'. Do they?
Well they do actually, they have the same 'powers' as you and I.
Did you know that if you know a crime has been committed, and you have reasonable cause to suspect someone of that crime, you have a 'power' of arrest?
So, if some arse is in your front garden, nicking your kids bike, or if some yob is spray painting the wall of your local train station, etc etc etc, then you, or anyone else, can arrest them. Including a private security guard.
I wouldn't necessarily suggest that everyone does leap in and try to arrest an offender. However, I also know that the time honored process of phoning the police can be either a waste of time at that moment (They'll not turn up, turn up late or do virtually nothing when they do arrive), or it can be a bigger wast of time later. (They'll fail to charge the person after keeping you at the station making statements for longer than the offender, they'll do a deal with the offender to clear up some other crime (Oh yes they do, I've been there when it happened) or they'll 'caution' them. The old wrist slap. Then, of course, if it does go further, the Crown Prosecution Service or the judiciary will arse it up in a quite spectacular fashion. There are many stages to justice in the British system, and at every one of those stages the process can and does get arsed up to varying degrees.
So, is there a role for the private sector in policing?' Well, that's up to you.
In case it helps, I'll just give you an example of our state provided criminal justice system at its best:
A woman convicted of murder has gone on the run during an escorted visit to the shops in south London. (That's her at the top of this article)
Patricia Gillette, 41, from Streatham, south London, was detained indefinitely in 2007 for killing Mark Murphy, 38, at his home in Streatham in August 2006.
Gillette, who was being held at Bethlem Royal Hospital, was on a visit to shops in West Wickham High Street, Bromley, when she escaped on Friday afternoon.
Police described her as "dangerous" and warned people not to approach her.
Det Supt Gary Gornell said: "This individual is dangerous and we need to apprehend her as soon as possible. If anyone sees her, please don't approach her, but call police immediately."
Gillette is of large build, has moles under both eyes, a scar on the left side of her neck and another scar on her left ear, police said.
She was last seen wearing a red hooded coat, a blue jeans shirt, black jogging bottoms and black shoes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8360380.stm
A Convicted murderer who escaped WHILST OUT AT A VISIT TO THE SHOPS
THAT'S our criminal justice system in action
And that HAS to win this weeks prize for a panic button IT'S TOO BLOODY LATE TO PRESS!
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