VICTIMS HAVE RIGHTS TOO

How would you feel if after paying a lot of money for a service your suppliers constantly let you down? You realised they were less than honest in the way they went about things and often failed to deliver. They were patchy and selective on supply, treated some customers better than others and wasted money on politically correct schemes. They penalised some customers more than others and were often overbearing and unresponsive to your concerns? It gets worse! They completely lost sight of the fact that it was the sweat of YOUR brow that earned their inflation-busting salaries. You would be pretty mad wouldn’t you? Okay! Welcome to your country’s police ‘service’.

Obviously we need some sort of police service to make sure the rules of society aren’t broken and where they are broken the culprits are dealt with. The police service should have the confidence and support of every citizen. Sadly that confidence and support evaporates as the service translates into a feather-bedded, tax-raising, politically correct institution tailored to address the social shortcomings of corrupt, treacherous and inept politicians.

Most crimes these days simply wouldn’t exist in any truly democratic and accountable society where taxation is minimal and the rights of the indigenous population are scrupulously observed. It is hardly surprisingly the police service has fallen victim to social manipulation.

These days it is a fact that ordinary law-abiding citizens are more likely to have their freedom desecrated and their pockets emptied by a policeman than by a member of the criminal fraternity.

Worse still, if a footpad mugs you you lose only the money you’re carrying. Get mugged by a traffic cop and you need an easy payments plan. If you or your home is attacked and you don’t defend yourself you get a free counselling service. But protect yourself or your home and you lose your freedom, maybe for years. Which do you prefer?

It isn’t all bad news. There are solutions that deal with any service that deteriorates. In the commercial world you shop around and go to the competitor; it keeps them on their toes. But what can you do about a poor police service? You can hardly go to the competition; there isn’t any.

Perhaps not but you might remind yourself that it is a public tax-funded service and as such it has an in-built system of accountability. Our mistake is we law abiding whites never complain so it is hardly surprising if the police selectively pick on us. If you were emptying some guy’s pockets and he ignored you would you stop?

The police service complaints system has quite rightly been on the receiving end of a great deal of cynicism because they run their own complaints system. A little like complaining to the madam of a brothel that you caught the clap off one of her girls isn’t it? Well not quite.

Like all tax-funded bureaucracies in pseudo-democratic societies the police service likes to present itself as ‘one of us’ (yes, they’re that cheeky) and they have a system of accountability that is ponderous and expensive.

It is a bureaucratic Goliath but you are David with a sling and stone, a whaleboat harpooner who hopefully knows precisely where to place the ‘criticism’ to maximise damage. You are the victim who understands and uses the police complaints system.

As soon as a policeman shows an interest in you he becomes vulnerable (to insiders) which is why he is disinclined to police ethnic minorities, expose corporate fraud or pick on those who have access to smart-ass lawyers. You’ll do instead; you’re a turkey shoot. But are you?

The policeman operates within a straitjacket of rules and regulations, politically correct guidelines and disciplinary procedures. He wears a protective uniform so full of holes he would sink if he were a ship. He has questioned your lack of social responsibility so why don’t you question his? Complain.

THE NATURE OF YOUR COMPLAINT.

You can formally complain about anything. It doesn’t cost you anything other than your time and if they can waste their time by arresting or questioning you why shouldn’t you help them to waste it?

It might be the policeman’s attitude’ He was rude to you, swore at you, cast doubt about your parentage, mocked your style of dress, told you a sick (racist?) joke, deduced from your name that you were Irish, a Scot, Cockney or Scouser and made an ethical slur which left you stunned and embarrassed.

He deliberately hit you, he used excessive force, he touched you (yes, that way), mocked you, threatened you, or you know he is sleeping with someone’s wife. You can complain about anything so do so. They are used to it. They are trained and well paid to ensure you stick by society’s rules so why should they be exempt?

Contact the Police Complaints Authority, 10 Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AE or telephone 0171 273 6450. Ask for a copy of the brochure: ‘Making your Complaint Against the Police’. They will send you one, no charge.

It’s a good idea to keep one in your pocket. If you are ever arrested the arresting officer is quite taken aback when he finds a copy in your pocket or car. Just watch his face.

This brochure will set out the complaint procedure but ignore its first recommendation that you go into a police station to be seen by an officer on duty – unless you are the eternal optimist. You don’t need to do that.

Assuming you are literate in ‘Blair’s New Britain’ simply write down your complaint as follows: 1. When it happened 2. What happened? 3. What was done (that offended you)? 4. What was said (that upset you)? 5. If there were (who?) any witnesses (who will support your claim). 6. Where the witnesses can be contacted and where appropriate proof of any damage or injury.

It isn’t necessary to have witnesses to make a complaint. If you were hurt go to your own doctor (or hospital) immediately so that you have independent proof of the injury.

If you’re not very good at writing it will be expertly done free of charge for you if you go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or neighbourhood Law Centre. You will find the CIB in your Yellow Pages.

Once you have set out your letter of complaint send it to either the Chief Constable of the Police Service concerned. A telephone call to your local police station will get you his name and the address. If you are a Londoner send it to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (Don’t call it a police force, that is politically incorrect now).

You think the fine and inconvenience of being questioned/arrested hit you hard. Think of what your complaint reaction is gong to cost them. What is that old saying: "Don’t get mad, get even!")

This is where police resources in time and money are really drained. If you want two bites of the cherry you will find that all police forces (excuse me, services) with the exception of the Metropolitan have a local ‘Independent’ Police Authority (the old watch committees). Again the local police station will give you the address. Make a copy of your letter and send it to the Chairperson at the address given.

Within a few days you will get a telephone call, usually from an inspector inviting an interview. Basically the nature of the interview is to re-write your complaint just as you might make a statement. You may be invited to keep the appointment at the police station. I never do so. Why should such a meeting take place on their territory and give them the psychological advantage? I always insist they (there’s usually two of them) call at my home.

Don’t be intimidated; I have always found the visiting police officers (falsely perhaps) to be professional, supportive and kind. Well, they want to be on your side and earn your trust so you will ditch the blasted thing.

Don’t be confrontational with these guys. They are genuinely there to help and your beef is with the original offensive policeman or the system and not with your two visitors. Make them a coffee.

They will explain what happens now and it’s worth listening to. Largely what happens next is dependent upon the seriousness or otherwise of your complaint. In most cases it is a minor matter of minor infringement of rules, lack of professionalism, a minor human failing.

If so you will be invited to be satisfied with an explanation or an apology if appropriate and the complaint will be discharged informally. If that solution isn’t acceptable to you then you should (and have every right to) insist that it be fully investigated by a senior officer.

They will try to steer you away from this solution but if you feel that course is justified stand your ground and go for it. If this is the course you wish to take a full statement will be written down which you will sign so read it carefully and make any necessary corrections.

A copy (by law) must be passed on (by the police) to the Police Complaints Authority, which must, again by law, supervise certain investigations. They appoint an investigating officer who is from a force other than the one complained about. He reads the statements and sees all the evidence and duly reports.

Eventually the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will decide if criminal charges be brought against the officers concerned. Or the Police Complaints Authority will decide if the police officer(s) should face misconduct proceedings. Action can be taken only if the policeman has breached the Code of Conduct.

If there is a misconduct hearing you will be invited to attend as a witness. Or it could be that no action is taken but the officer receives a formal warning or advice as to his behaviour. Actually the latter course is the one most usual.

What have you achieved? A great deal. At even the initial stage the policeman complained about has his file tainted. The complaint is recorded and is considered throughout his career, especially when being considered for promotion.

Don’t feel sorry for the guy. He just tried to raid your bank account, ruin your career or deprive you of your freedom. Can you imagine the effect of that on your innocent family? No, don’t feel sorry for the guy.

Furthermore you have (with others) reminded the police service they are your masters and you expect professionalism, courtesy and honesty from them at all times. The police insist on zero tolerance (they invented the term) so they should have no problem practising zero tolerance where it concerns them. If there is any departure from this principle then do to them precisely what they will do to you. Only by this way can we provide the police service we deserve for our fellow countrymen and ourselves the police force we deserve.

End Note: If your political activities are likely to bring you into contact with the police or courts then it is essential that you understand your rights.

Pick up a copy of YOUR RIGHTS, THE LIBERTY GUIDE, The Sixth Edition is published by the National Council for Civil Liberties/Pluto Press and its ISBN number is ISBN 0 7453 1163 6. The soft back edition is just £12.99 and can be purchased or ordered from by bookshop.

A Michael Walsh News Report