I've had help from members of the public on a couple of occasions and it was always welcome. I drove in to the town centre one evening just as a lad punched another in the head, I chased him and caught him down a poorly lit backstreet. I was lucky that another chap had followed and gave me a hand keeping the lad under control, because it was almost 10 minutes until any other officers arrived, by which point we were both completely knackered. Had I not been helped then the offender would have got away, and we'd have almost certainly never traced him (he was from a town 40 miles away and on a one time visit). There would have been no justice for the victim. Because somebody helped me, there was justice for the victim.
Try arresting a violent person when you're alone in the early hours of the morning, no vehicle and no police radio, just your whistle - my late dad joined the Police in the 1950's. ;-)
No, because then they could arrest me for obstruction of justice. Unless they ask me, I am not going to get involved because civil action could be taken against me by whoever they apprehend if they are not found guilty and I'd also be expected to go to court as a witness.
A teenager who wrestled a man to the ground after he assaulted two police officers has been recognised for his bravery.
Kiya Ingham, 16, from Sussex, saw the man push over PCs Lynsey Burkinshaw and Johanna Clarke after they had put him in a police car.
Kiya was walking in Lewes Road in Brighton on 10 June when he chased the suspect, who threatened and abused him.
He was presented with an award at an Sussex Police event.
Bradley Hughes, 31, from Pelham Place in Seaford was restrained by the two officers, with Kiya's help.
No, because then they could arrest me for obstruction of justice. Unless they ask me, I am not going to get involved because civil action could be taken against me by whoever they apprehend if they are not found guilty and I'd also be expected to go to court as a witness.
Nobody will be prosecuted for helping when they feel it necessary to do so, and in good faith, so long as what they do is reasonable.
That may or may not be the case but, given some of the completely ass-backwards applications of the law which get reported in the media these days, that's not the perception that exists.
Besides, if a cop is struggling with somebody apparently intent on escape, how am I supposed to know what is considered reasonable?
A kick in the nuts or a punch in the face is almost certainly going to prevent him getting away but is that reasonable or not?
And then what happens if I decide to sit on somebody who's face-down on the floor while a cop gets his 'cuffs out and the guy ends up losing some teeth or gets a broken nose?
How can I be sure he won't try to get me nicked for assault or take civil action to seek compensation and/or pay for dental/medical treatment?
I don't have any kind of insurance to cover the cost of such an action.
Can I expect assistance from the police or the local authorities for my legal fees?
Don't get me wrong. I'd always try and do what's right.
Just seems like 50 years ago you "knew" the cops were right and so anybody they were dealing with was likely to be in the wrong and there'd be very little concern over repercussions.
Alas, neither of those things can be taken for granted these days so it's inevitable that people's responses will be far more ambiguous.
Don't get me wrong. I'd always try and do what's right.
Just seems like 50 years ago you "knew" the cops were right and so anybody they were dealing with was likely to be in the wrong and there'd be very little concern over repercussions.
Alas, neither of those things can be taken for granted these days so it's inevitable that people's responses will be far more ambiguous.
I think that's spot-on. I like to think of myself as a fairly law abiding citizen who would go to the aid of anyone in trouble. But my view of the police was changed forever by the events of the 80's. They showed that they were prepared to be used as the political tools of a government who were out to smash the unions and destroy communities. What's more, a good number of them appeared to enjoy it. After that there was Hillsborough, and the cover-up that followed.
Obviously, the rank and file coppers were just following orders, and there are almost certainly more decent police officers around than there are bad. But it still left a nasty taste in the mouth, and we knew the Dixon of Dock Green days were well and truly over.
That may or may not be the case but, given some of the completely ass-backwards applications of the law which get reported in the media these days, that's not the perception that exists.
Besides, if a cop is struggling with somebody apparently intent on escape, how am I supposed to know what is considered reasonable?
A kick in the nuts or a punch in the face is almost certainly going to prevent him getting away but is that reasonable or not?
And then what happens if I decide to sit on somebody who's face-down on the floor while a cop gets his 'cuffs out and the guy ends up losing some teeth or gets a broken nose?
How can I be sure he won't try to get me nicked for assault or take civil action to seek compensation and/or pay for dental/medical treatment?
I don't have any kind of insurance to cover the cost of such an action.
Can I expect assistance from the police or the local authorities for my legal fees?
Don't get me wrong. I'd always try and do what's right. Just seems like 50 years ago you "knew" the cops were right and so anybody they were dealing with was likely to be in the wrong and there'd be very little concern over repercussions.
Alas, neither of those things can be taken for granted these days so it's inevitable that people's responses will be far more ambiguous.
We often hear this, but 50 years ago there was far more corruption in some areas than today, and the procedures in place pretty much gave the Police a free hand to do what they liked.
If things were like they were 50 years ago, the Human Rights people would go into meltdown.
No, because then they could arrest me for obstruction of justice. Unless they ask me, I am not going to get involved because civil action could be taken against me by whoever they apprehend if they are not found guilty and I'd also be expected to go to court as a witness.
When assisting a constable it's reasonable to assume that the arrest is lawful, so in that respect you wouldn't be subject to any civil action regardless of the circumstances. In addition, a person being found not guilty does not by any means make an arrest unlawful or wrong.
You wouldn't necessarily be expected to go to court as a witness because you wouldn't have to give a statement if you did not wish to do so. And you wouldn't be arrested for obstruction if you were assisting a constable.
We often hear this, but 50 years ago there was far more corruption in some areas than today, and the procedures in place pretty much gave the Police a free hand to do what they liked.
If things were like they were 50 years ago, the Human Rights people would go into meltdown.
Oh, I'm sure that is the case. It's people's perception of the current situation that's likely to influence their decision to assist now though.
Yes, I would utilise my martial arts skills and go over to assist. I would initially warn the lawbreaker of my status as a 'walking weapon', then I would relieve the law enforcement officer of his duties for his own safety.
Yes, I would utilise my martial arts skills and go over to assist. I would initially warn the lawbreaker of my status as a 'walking weapon', then I would relieve the law enforcement officer of his duties for his own safety.
What if the lawbreaker was wearing a luscious UFC 'TapouT' t-shirt and was thus impervious to any attack?
Well I think that we all use personal experiences as examples, I've helped the police, paramedics etc lots of times but if I thought the police were using bullying tactics I would also speak out for the victim.
Hmm, it would never occur to me to offer assistance to paramedics, they're not generally in danger and I tend to assume they have a lot more medical knowledge than I do! I'd help if I spotted an accident and the ambulance hadn't arrived yet though.
Hmm, it would never occur to me to offer assistance to paramedics, they're not generally in danger and I tend to assume they have a lot more medical knowledge than I do! I'd help if I spotted an accident and the ambulance hadn't arrived yet though.
A lone paramedic doing CPR would usually be most grateful for any help. In fact two paramedics doing CPR would probably be grateful too as it would allow one of them to focus on other treatments. It's always worth considering helping, just don't get in the way when you ask, and if they say "No" and it seems a little abrupt, don't take it personally, they're trying to work.
Comments
Try arresting a violent person when you're alone in the early hours of the morning, no vehicle and no police radio, just your whistle
I could tell you some stories.
EDIT:
Look at this story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-29236252
I think it's a duty of every able citizen to do something like this.
Congrats on your 20000'th post (if you reply to this) !!
Most of that isn't true.
The last bit is selfishness.
Depends on your own personal circumstances. I suffer from social anxiety and would literally crumble if I had to appear in court.
That may or may not be the case but, given some of the completely ass-backwards applications of the law which get reported in the media these days, that's not the perception that exists.
Besides, if a cop is struggling with somebody apparently intent on escape, how am I supposed to know what is considered reasonable?
A kick in the nuts or a punch in the face is almost certainly going to prevent him getting away but is that reasonable or not?
And then what happens if I decide to sit on somebody who's face-down on the floor while a cop gets his 'cuffs out and the guy ends up losing some teeth or gets a broken nose?
How can I be sure he won't try to get me nicked for assault or take civil action to seek compensation and/or pay for dental/medical treatment?
I don't have any kind of insurance to cover the cost of such an action.
Can I expect assistance from the police or the local authorities for my legal fees?
Don't get me wrong. I'd always try and do what's right.
Just seems like 50 years ago you "knew" the cops were right and so anybody they were dealing with was likely to be in the wrong and there'd be very little concern over repercussions.
Alas, neither of those things can be taken for granted these days so it's inevitable that people's responses will be far more ambiguous.
I think that's spot-on. I like to think of myself as a fairly law abiding citizen who would go to the aid of anyone in trouble. But my view of the police was changed forever by the events of the 80's. They showed that they were prepared to be used as the political tools of a government who were out to smash the unions and destroy communities. What's more, a good number of them appeared to enjoy it. After that there was Hillsborough, and the cover-up that followed.
Obviously, the rank and file coppers were just following orders, and there are almost certainly more decent police officers around than there are bad. But it still left a nasty taste in the mouth, and we knew the Dixon of Dock Green days were well and truly over.
We often hear this, but 50 years ago there was far more corruption in some areas than today, and the procedures in place pretty much gave the Police a free hand to do what they liked.
If things were like they were 50 years ago, the Human Rights people would go into meltdown.
When assisting a constable it's reasonable to assume that the arrest is lawful, so in that respect you wouldn't be subject to any civil action regardless of the circumstances. In addition, a person being found not guilty does not by any means make an arrest unlawful or wrong.
You wouldn't necessarily be expected to go to court as a witness because you wouldn't have to give a statement if you did not wish to do so. And you wouldn't be arrested for obstruction if you were assisting a constable.
That young man did awfully well.
Oh, I'm sure that is the case. It's people's perception of the current situation that's likely to influence their decision to assist now though.
What if the lawbreaker was wearing a luscious UFC 'TapouT' t-shirt and was thus impervious to any attack?
A lone paramedic doing CPR would usually be most grateful for any help. In fact two paramedics doing CPR would probably be grateful too as it would allow one of them to focus on other treatments. It's always worth considering helping, just don't get in the way when you ask, and if they say "No" and it seems a little abrupt, don't take it personally, they're trying to work.
I agree. On top of this I'm not trained in the art of restraint. Therefore there is a risk that I may injure myself or others in the process.