Comments on: A true reflection on the police farce?????

By: Just resting...

Just resting... — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:59:18 +0000

Does anyone keep a record of these things? My next door neighbour is well over 90yo. He retired from plodding when he was just over 50. Have to say that this guy has done NOTHING with his life, utterly NOTHING but potter around an allotment occasionally and go for his nightly pint at the Legion Club. You could set your clock by him. But, no new career, no little business interests on the side, no world travel, no part-time volunteering for good causes, no wine, women and song, no nada. It’s life, Jim, but not as we’d choose it to be!

By: Stephen Brown

Stephen Brown — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:20:42 +0000

Pre-1997 I was the officer commanding Ta Kwu Ling Police Station on the Sino-British Border in Hong Kong. I received a call one day from our public relations people (PPRB) who’d had a request from a European lady asking if she could bring her grandfather to Ta Kwu Ling (TKL) as he used to work there.

All was duly arranged, including permits to enter the Frontier Closed Area, and the big day arrived. Ten seconds of chat with the Old Boy caused instant panic as we’d expected nothing like it! What we’d prepared was completely insufficient to commemorate THIS visit! The Old Boy was 100 years old and had RETIRED before the Second World War!

Everyone was hugely impressed and he was an instant hit with everyone in the Station; people were lining up to shake his hand! Venerability is much respected in China, unlike the UK. A very special meal was produced with an alacrity which included all of the favourite dishes the Old Boy had mention in his chats with the Staff, which he tucked into with gusto. A tour of the Border followed, with stops to visit places he remembered. The it was back to the Station for “snacks and brandy”. He left a very happy man, and his grand-daughter was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown to them both.

It felt really good to help an Old Boy celebrate 50 years on an index-linked pension! He gleefully kept reminding us that he’d taken home more in pension than he’d ever earned!

By: PC Bloggs

PC Bloggs — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:49:25 +0000

1-4 years…? You clearly don’t work in Blandmore! Here the honeymoon period lasts about twelve months and the hostility 12 years.

Also, you forgot the DVU stage, when suddenly a job sitting behind a desk risk-assessing victims of arguments becomes more attractive than policing.

By: Twining

Twining — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:18:31 +0000

Southwest, how will I find you in London?

By: cheekyfaces

cheekyfaces — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:43:15 +0000

I hear that also from some police that I know.the ones fed up with the bullshit and timewasting stuff……great post )

By: inspectorgadget

inspectorgadget — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:45:56 +0000

There is another stage – Blogging stage! Gives you another 10 years at least!

By: Jacqui U

Jacqui U — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:26:41 +0000

As a spouse (the one and only – that I know of!) of a retired Met Police Officer, let me give you all hope. Some make it beyond 5 years!!

We retired to the South of France and life is GOOD. Hang in there, and so will you!! Whenever it gets really bad, tell yourself that it will be worth it……

By: Metcountymounty

Metcountymounty — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:12:35 +0000

when I first joined we used to get the weekly news letter from the force and it would have notifications of retired offices who went on to have a chat with the big guy, the best one I saw was a guy who retired in 1960 and passed on in 2001. I sincerely hope I can get to 40 odd years worth of pension drawing but it won’t be for a while yet!!

By: Plodnomore

Plodnomore — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:05:11 +0000

Retired 2 years and am now concerned at the 5 year average lifespan after retirement mentioned above. Never did a full 30 years as I joined after retirement from the Army but was employed on the front line till the day I retired. On my last day, went for a final walk around my patch to say farewell to several people and tidy a couple of things up. Stopped a couple of drivers for using thier mobile phones whilst driving and rather than give them FPNs, used summary justice and gave them the opportunity of writing out 100 lines that in future they would only use a handfree phone when driving . Both accepted that option and duly reported to the Police station before my shift ended with the said lines. The rest of my shift laughed when the word got out, the Sgt smiled and the Insp just shook his head in resignation. It was the SMT where I received the flak on my final interview. Stuff ‘em. Don’t miss the job but miss the people. Now counting down the days and will blog you again in 2 years 9 months and 4 days (if I’m still here).

By: ted

ted — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:51:28 +0000

It all rings true to me.

I’m at the retirement stage. Under 2 years to go. I’m now in a dayshift/backshift ofice job.

After 25 years mainly doing all 3 shifts at the sharp end I’ve earned it.
I miss the buzz of response policing but not the stress or the paperwork.

I hope to get more than 5 years of retirement though and I’m still on my first marriage.

By: Emma

Emma — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:44:47 +0000

That kind of sums up what I have been lead to believe, I have a friend who used to come and see me at 9.30 because where I lived there was no radio contact for some reason….obviously a long time before mobile phones where used..xx

By: Metcountymounty

Metcountymounty — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:21:01 +0000

I think I moved out of the the hostility stage a year or so ago, thankfully with marriage in one piece, but only just!!! I was having the kitbelt conversation a few weeks ago with one of my friends, the only things I have on mine now are cuffs, baton (which never gets used) CS (which never gets used) gloves in pouch (used all the time) and a field first aid kit which unfortunately gets used all the time too. everything else is pointless really and costs too much!!!

By: annette

annette — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:04:05 +0000

I think that may apply to many jobs.
Doctors, nurses, teachers,and………. checkout s!!!
I think we all start off eagerly, very eagerly, turning up for work early, leaving late, we are all excited about our new jobs and want to prove ourselves.
As you say, when we get to over 5 years, we find everything frustrating and we’re running out of steam. We are tired.
7-15 years we get another burst of ethusiasm, we’ll probably feeling a bit old and want to try to act like we are young again.

16 years?
Yep, retirement.
Before if possible.

As for the dying, I hope not, not when you have worked hard all your life and needing a nice retirement!!!