West Midlands Police officers invited to work for free

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ngham-13282047

West Midlands Police officers who have been forcibly retired due to budget cuts have been invited to return to policing and work for free.
Officers made redundant by West Midlands Police have been sent letters inviting them to apply to be Special Constables - volunteer police officers.

I know what my reaction would be but what do those of you who view the cuts as necessary think of this suggestion?

[Derek]

It's a suggestion that some might go for to keep them busy once they retire but I doubt it'll have a huge uptake.

Seems a bit cynical to me.

[Dai]

Hmmm.

Dear Constable, Sorry we forced you to retire. How do you fancy getting the same diversity grief for free?

I don't think there will be much of a queue..

[Lord Nikon]

For those who do the job because they want to reduce crime I think they may go for it. For those who do the job because of the pay - I don't think so.

Although - for those who do the job because it gives them a power trip - they would probably go for it again, and that's not necessarily a good thing

[Dai]

How many years could you struggle against the revolving door of current "justice" without losing heart? When you pull the same regular faces week after week and see them walk free.

I'm betting a lot of frontline officers are counting the days until they get their pension and they won't be in any hurry to come back.

[v0id]

Originally Posted by Lord Nikon

Although - for those who do the job because it gives them a power trip - they would probably go for it again, and that's not necessarily a good thing

Except not exactly a power trip since they'll be starting at the bottom, like a new recruit. Probably having to report to people who were once their subordinates.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by v0id

Except not exactly a power trip since they'll be starting at the bottom, like a new recruit. Probably having to report to people who were once their subordinates.

Doubtful. I reckon the special status would be in title only and they might well end up exactly where they were before.

Plenty of cops already retire after their 30 years and come back into civilian jobs like radio operators, evidence storekeepers and desk clerks. Can't say I've ever heard of someone retire then come back as a special though.

[budwieser]

Originally Posted by Derek

Doubtful. I reckon the special status would be in title only and they might well end up exactly where they were before.

Plenty of cops already retire after their 30 years and come back into civilian jobs like radio operators, evidence storekeepers and desk clerks. Can't say I've ever heard of someone retire then come back as a special though.

My Uncle Derek ( funnily enough) was a copper in Brixton back in the 60`s / 70`s and was nearly beaten to death in an ambush in Brixton park as it was then. I don`t think he would have wanted to go back unpaid if he was still alive.!

would they be able to manage the transition from "used to untill a short while ago be proper copper" to a "not a proper copper with less power" wouldn't the temptation always be to overstep the bounds of a special constable

[v0id]

Originally Posted by Derek

Doubtful. I reckon the special status would be in title only and they might well end up exactly where they were before.

Plenty of cops already retire after their 30 years and come back into civilian jobs like radio operators, evidence storekeepers and desk clerks. Can't say I've ever heard of someone retire then come back as a special though.

"...technically a new recruit"
http://www.itv.com/central-west/back-on-the-beat51758/

Originally Posted by martyh

would they be able to manage the transition from "used to untill a short while ago be proper copper" to a "not a proper copper with less power" wouldn't the temptation always be to overstep the bounds of a special constable

Specials are 'proper coppers' who don't get paid, I think you're confusing them with PCSOs

[Pierre]

Well I would have thought that those lucky policemen that are now retiring early on a full pension that will be paid for by the tax payer for, potentially decades, might just give a few hours a week.

I mean if could retire on a full pension around the age of, say, fifty. A nice little partime job a few days a week and you have a lovely retirement.

I can't see what they're complaining about.

[Dai]

Originally Posted by Pierre

A nice little partime job a few days a week and you have a lovely retirement.

With the delightful perks of getting spat on, bruised, stabbed or shot by one of our local feral nutters.

No thanks, I'd take my pension and cultivate my allotment.

Originally Posted by v0id

"...technically a new recruit"
http://www.itv.com/central-west/back-on-the-beat51758/




Specials are 'proper coppers' who don't get paid, I think you're confusing them with PCSOs

Probably

i thought specials didn't have the same powers that regular police do ,i stand corrected

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Well I would have thought that those lucky policemen that are now retiring early on a full pension that will be paid for by the tax payer for, potentially decades, might just give a few hours a week.

I mean if could retire on a full pension around the age of, say, fifty. A nice little partime job a few days a week and you have a lovely retirement.

I can't see what they're complaining about.

Except they aren't retiring early. They've done a full 30 years but decided not to retire as soon as possible. They have since been forced into retirement and asked back as specials.

[craigj2k12]

Originally Posted by Derek

Except they aren't retiring early. They've done a full 30 years but decided not to retire as soon as possible. They have since been forced into retirement and asked back as specials.

there will be dedicated officers who will work for free, but most will sit back and enjoy their retirement (IMO)