Introduction
In recent years, there’s been a palpable shift in public perception of UK police.
This shift is not a product of isolated incidents but a systemic change reflected in media narratives.
For those within the rank and file, it’s a rising tide that seems impossible to stem.
The Turning of the Tides
It is hard to ignore the increasing number of negative stories dominating the news landscape.
This trend overlooks the countless daily sacrifices and successes of police officers.
So, what’s behind this sudden surge of negativity, and what are its impacts on the men and women serving in law enforcement?
The Clash of Public Sentiment and Internal Perceptions
Inside the force, a troubling perspective is emerging.
Many officers perceive that senior management is actively seeking to make examples of their colleagues to appease public sentiment.
They argue this sentiment has been unduly shaped and intensified by a sensationalist media, focusing on the flaws rather than the merits of the force.
There’s a growing feeling that the management isn’t doing enough to correct this skewed narrative.
On the contrary, some within the force feel their superiors are capitulating to the wave of criticism, fueling its momentum rather than countering it.
The Fallout: Dwindling Morale and Its Implications
This unsettling trend is causing morale within the force to plummet.
Where once stories of life-saving interventions, arrests of dangerous criminals, and community outreach used to balance the narrative, they now seem few and far between.
Meanwhile, tales of misconduct, abuse of power, and other negative aspects overshadow the good work.
The numbers tell the story.
Over the past year, the rate of negative police stories has risen to an average of 10 per month – a significant increase from the previous year.
Concurrently, positive stories have halved to just 5 per month.
A Disturbing Human Cost
The implications of this trend go beyond damaged reputations and strained police-public relations.
It’s having a profound, tangible impact on the officers themselves.
In the year ending March 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that a staggering 10,542 police officers in England and Wales resigned from their jobs.
This represents a 20% increase from the previous year.
Even more tragic is the rise in the number of officers taking their own lives.
According to the Police Federation of England and Wales, 12 officers committed suicide during the same period.
This shocking statistic speaks volumes about the mental strain that these professionals are under.
The Untold Story: Body-Worn Camera Footage
One significant resource that could dramatically alter public perceptions is the widespread use of body-worn cameras by police officers.
While these devices are predominantly used as a tool for evidence-gathering and accountability, they also capture countless instances of heroism, bravery, and dedication that often go unnoticed.
Regrettably, the police rarely release this body-worn camera footage to the public.
This results in missed opportunities to counterbalance the prevalence of negative stories and highlight the extraordinary lengths to which officers often go to ensure public safety.
Not only could this footage serve as compelling evidence of the admirable work being done by police officers, but it could also offer the public a firsthand perspective of the complexities and challenges inherent in policing.
Therefore, police forces must reassess their stance on sharing body-worn camera footage.
Transparency is a two-way street – it’s about acknowledging errors, but it’s also about showcasing triumphs and acts of valour.
By releasing more of this footage, the police can foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the dedication and bravery shown by officers daily.
A Way Forward: Balancing Accountability with Empathy
Addressing this unsettling trend requires an approach that considers both the public’s needs and the officers’ well-being.
Police misconduct must be held accountable to maintain public trust.
However, it’s equally important to remember that the vast majority of police officers are hardworking individuals committed to serving their communities with integrity.
Acknowledging the daily challenges faced by police officers is the first step.
The courage to run towards danger when others run away, the endurance to maintain law and order even when faced with aggression and violence, and the resilience to face criticism from those they vow to protect – these are qualities that need to be highlighted.
Let’s strive for a balanced narrative that scrutinises wrongdoing while also celebrating the countless acts of bravery and kindness exhibited by our law enforcement officers.
We must remind ourselves that beneath the uniform and behind the badge, there’s a human being dealing with the same struggles we all face.
Taking these steps towards restoring balance in the narrative may be the key to boosting morale within the force and reinstating public faith in those sworn to protect them.
It’s a challenge that demands our collective effort and understanding.
But with careful attention and genuine empathy, it is one that we can undoubtedly rise to.
Restoring a Balanced Narrative
Achieving this balance calls for a concerted effort from all involved parties.
Media organisations have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that they report responsibly, providing a balanced perspective on policing that acknowledges both the shortcomings and the accomplishments of the force.
Similarly, police management teams must demonstrate transparent accountability while actively supporting and advocating for their officers.
An environment that cultivates trust and communication will help officers feel valued and understood.
The public, too, has a part to play.
An informed citizenry is a crucial component in this equation, and taking the time to understand the complexity of police work can pave the way for more constructive conversations and less stigmatisation.
Concluding Thoughts: An Uphill But Vital Task
Yes, there’s an uphill task to stem the rising tide of negative narratives around UK policing.
However, if we are to ensure the continued efficacy of our law enforcement, it’s a task that we must recognise.
In fostering a more balanced narrative, we not only rebuild public trust but also help safeguard the well-being of our police officers.
It’s not an overstatement to say that their lives could depend on it.
The need for open dialogue, improved media reporting, and effective internal support structures within law enforcement agencies has never been greater.
While criticism is essential for improvement, let’s keep sight of the larger picture.
We must strive to promote narratives that emphasise not just the lapses but also the dedication, sacrifice, and positive impact of the police force on our society.
Together, we can weather the storm, rewrite the narrative, and build a future where police officers feel valued, the public feels heard, and trust in law enforcement is renewed.
Let’s ensure that our conversations around policing are not just about scrutiny but also about appreciation, understanding, and mutual respect.
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I feel sorry for the rank and file officers who are outstanding individuals. Yes, there are a few rotten apples in the barrel. Given the size of the barrel, this is unsurprising.
The whole decline of policing has been a long, slow descent fuelled by a number of different drivers.
Government issues sentencing guidelines. Put another way, government pretty much insists that absurd, short sentences are passed which are then subject to a 50% discount meaning that some pretty unpleasant people are back out on the streets quite quickly. No wonder officers feel demoralised with the revolving doors of justice spinning that fast.
Then we must look at the CPS which is often pretty feeble, demanding ever more impossible levels of evidence just to allow a charge, never mind convincing a jury beyond reasonable doubt.
To this we must add woke senior officers who will make sure that BLM has plenty of water. All that rioting is thirsty work. Meanwhile, ex service men who turned out to protect our national monuments and statues, the job of the police, were confronted with three ranks of riot police while peacefully guarding what our country stands for.
Extinction Rebellion shut down the capital for 2 whole weeks while Just Stop Oil caused endless chaos on the M25 and elsewhere. The police were far more concerned that they had enough tea and water rather than clearing obstructions to Her Majesty’s highways.
Meanwhile, officers were very quick to investigate non crime hate incidents. What on earth does that mean? Someone said something that upset someone and immediately the police get called in, despite the fact that no crime had been committed.
The College of Policing, a full on hotbed of wokery, has decreed that all new officers must be graduates. Such people are unlikely to have much in the way of life experiences, unlike ex military types who make excellent coppers. Of course, graduates have been fully brainwashed by the university system and so are nice and malleable. No wonder experience officers have had enough and leave.
We must not ignore the Human Rights Act, billed at the time as a criminal’s charter and so it has proved. Even if villains are caught, by the time the lawyers have tied the thing up in knots with various human rights nonsense, it is far easier not to bother and focus on non crime hate incidents.
The Human Rights Act needs to go, as does the College of Policing and many, if not all, of the woke senior officers and the culture returned to that of Robert Peel.
There is a shortage of prison space and the cost is eye watering. Build WW2 style prison camps and throw the minor villains in there for the full duration of any sentence passed. A Minimum Sentences Act is needed mandating minimum prison time for various offences. The time inside can be lengthened but never shortened, suspended or be allowed to run concurrently. Whatever the sentence is, upon a repeat conviction, it will double. Very quickly, the sensible ones will realise that they are on a hiding to nothing and change their ways while the recidivists will KNOW that if convicted, they will spend twice as long as last time behind bars.
Starting with a 12 month sentence, by the time they are convicted for the sixth time, they will face 32 years inside, on top of what has already been served. They will never commit another crime because they will die inside.
Police should be respected by the general public and really, really feared by the criminal types. The same applies to courts.
It is our own fault and by that I mean the normal British citizen, we have let the woke, entitled, gender muddled and media influencers dictate the narrative on how we live our lives. It is time to turn the tide against these ideas, there is nothing wrong with being White, Heterosexual, male, female or the fact there are two genders and consequently two sexes. When media becomes more concerned about whether a person asked to take a speed awareness course in private rather than the glare of publicity or the welfare of immigrants before our own people, then things are clearly wrong. Our Police force work with one arm tied behind their backs and it is disgraceful.
There has always been a dichotomy between two halves of the police and the public. Our Sergeant down the hairy part of the Docks used to wander up to a docker and ask him if he knew his Jacko had stolen from Mrs Grib? Or, to another, does her mum know Julie is skipping school? And so on, daily, the parents were responsible for their kids. Some were incorrigible – often from one parent families from the war – then we had to deal with them. Dragging a kid by his ear was good, and if they were evil, hold them a while and they’d piss themselves, total humiliation…….and fear. The Inspector was one of us – ex serviceman and 6′ 7″ and even more frightening for the ‘Erberts was our Rita, 6’ 4″ !!
But up in the Gods were the pretty ones with smart uniforms and braid. No women and Freemasons to the last. No connection with us and I doubt if they put their feet anywhere near the Docks.
I think the saddest part of the Ely riots was that blowsy woman saying ‘they (the police) shouldn’t hurt them, they’re only kids’ – young thugs to us. Why didn’t she and the rest of the neighbours assist the Police? My colleague down there says ‘they are mining folk and hate the Police’. Sad, old enmities.