The police watchdog, the IOPC, has recently released a report into social media conversations between officers — and it makes for uncomfortable reading. Some of the comments are appalling, full of arrogance, racism and misogyny. But as we get ready to shower disdain on serving officers once again, I’d like to raise the question: what effect do you think this constant castigation of all police officers has?
The offending messages were exchanged three to five years ago between half a dozen foolish or morally weak young officers. They were a small part of the successful, crime-busting, 120-strong West End Zone Impact Team. Yet politicians from all parties — Sadiq Khan, Diane Abbott, Priti Patel — reacted by berating the whole force.
Do they really think that will help? Do they think that Met Police officers in Bromley or Devon officers in Torquay will be better at protecting you, the public, from violent predators, paedophiles and knife-carrying muggers as a result of this permanent telling off? I served for 30 years with the police in London and think it will have exactly the opposite effect.
Can you blame officers for leaving? How would you feel if you were continually slagged off by your boss?
Every single police officer is expected to think and work alone for the most part, whether patrolling on a bike or in a car.
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