Commissioner Grove calls for fewer police cautions

“dontwo - while I fully agree there should not be one rule for one and one for another, the fact is the deputy police commissioner wasn't caught on his phone. A member of the public reported him. He admitted doing it, and was advised against such actions in a public office, connected so directly to the Police. In order for a fine or summons to be issued, a Police Officer actually needs to witness the event; otherwise it is hearsay.”

“@ By Mildred
Exactly , unbelievable is'nt it ? , but unfortunately did actually happen , the expense not to mention the stress of locking this child up for what turned out to be nine hours in the priory road cells along with the associated solicitors fees is absolutely ridiculous ,the young lads parents actually took him his homework to occupy him but was not allowed to submitt it , the police also insisted on persueing there enquiries and so the youngster was bailed to return for a further interview after priory road had completed their investigations ( with the solicitor the tax payer covered ) at a later date incurring more expense and waste of tax payers resources , I wont name names and point fingers at this juncture as this comment wont be posted , but can assure HDMP readers this is a thoroughly authentic account . End result N-F-A No Further Action .”

“PS. Mr Groves shirt certainly clashes with the background doesnt it. No tie, no shave, threatening snarl. Spitting image of Robert De Niro in gangster mode.”

“If I ever get caught using my phone whilst driving, I expect now, at the very least, not a caution or fine, but a warm friendly chit chat with a senior police officer. Just the same as the Police Commissioners Deputy got.
Might just be the unfortunate way his words come out, but I would have thought Mr Groves wanted the post of Police Commissioner after seeing the rise in violent crime etc and wanting to make a difference, not because he heard a mentally ill patient had broken a mirror and he thought she deserved harsher punishment than a caution.......”

“@ reason... eh? Please clarify...”

“No more cautions,,They are getting away with murder in this soft touch place that use to be England,,Give um Jail.”

“Officers wracked with guilt over criminaliseing children ?? they might want to stop locking kids up for spilling tomatoe sauce at Mc Donalds on a saturday afternoon then . He's right about one thing though our Police are special . We are the only country in the civilised world where you can obtain an A-S-B-O which isnt a criminal order par-say and requires no breaking of the law to recieve it , yet breaching it is a criminal offence . That is turning children into criminals personified isnt it ?? . Not entirely sure I have got the point about his motivation to become the police commisionar , being revealed to him through a schizophrenic woman smashing mirrors , we better hope Hanibal Lecktur doesnt start jumping through windows or Mr Grove may start campaigning for the prime ministers spot .”

“There are inaccuracies with this story and the comment above. Firstly PC's do not make the decision to issue a caution that is made by a decision maker sergeant or the CPS and secondly children are not given a 'caution' they are given reprimands and final warnings.”

“I agree discretion should be used, and targets should be scrapped, because the Police is (or should be) a public service, NOT a business.

HOWEVER, there is nobody forcing individual PCs to make un-necessary decisions, and there is also the train of thought that dealing with minor offences - seemingly harshly - when committed by youngsters, prevents them going on to commit more serious offences, or indeed any offences, in the future. There HAS to be some kind of deterrent. At present, there is barely such a thing, but at least there is something in place. Take away any threat of punishment, and the kids will run riot... more so than they are already doing.”