Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Police abuse powers

  1. #1
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Police abuse powers

    No I did not by Ghost in the Machine due to Stings silky voice....the ...er...real police.

    here is a dodgy incidence of the Police abusing their powers and the most feeble excuse known to man...

    Quote Originally Posted by the article
    Superintendent Neil Sherrington, the deputy commander for Portsmouth police, said: 'Officers are given powers under the Terrorism Act to stop and search.
    So does he mean; if you suspect someone is a terrorist then you can stop and search ? or you can stop anyone you feel like under those powers regardless of the reason ? I suspect he means the latter.


    'The act states that "this power can only be used for the purposes of searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism, and may be exercised whether or not the constable has grounds for suspecting the presence of articles of that kind".'
    Ah, but here he tries to define it more clearly and succeeds in saying that searches are justified if there are "articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism". He clearly considers visible cameras to qualify,only ever indirectly involved in terrorism. However, there are many reports of mobile phones being used as detonation devices as well as, rather obviously , communication devices - LOOK, direct terrorism involvement! Yet people with mobiles are not routinely stopped and questioned - why the double standard ? Is it because it's ridiculous ?

    He added: 'It is therefore reasonable for the officer in this case to have made reference to the act and been suspicious about why the photograph of the vehicle had been taken.'
    False conclusion (sometimes called the "having a laugh" conclusion) as it redefines "reasonable" beyond understanding

  2. #2
    Registered User Beowulf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    The Beoverse
    Posts
    7,985
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Police abuse powers


  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Sunny South Hampshire
    Posts
    873
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Incidents of Police, and others abusing some of these acts have been surfacing for some time now.

    Remember the old codger banned from entering the Labour party conference under the Terrorism act because he heckled Straw ?
    The cyclist who was arrested and searched after walking along a cycle lane. Excuse ? It was by a docks, so they could do so under the Terrorism act.
    My local paper has covered several small, but telling abuses of this power.

    These anti-terrorism acts are not really anti-terrorism acts at all. That was just the excuse by which the government could con the public and avoid outrage. They are basically Police State acts.

    I'm sure our youngsters will adapt and fight this crap in there own way, and I know its only an 'old fart' viewpoint, but I am glad I am not a youngster growing up today, I would have a bleak outlook on the future, this Labour government really are the pits. And I am not political at all.


    IMO of course.

  4. #4
    Registered User John S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Deepest, Darkest Fife
    Posts
    1,182
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Police abuse powers

    At this moment, somebody, somewhere, is ferreting around in hyperspace tracking down the real identites of Dreadful Scathe and Beowulf, two politically-motivated individuals who are giving the oxygen of publicity to suspected terrorists who film police committing crimes.

    So, on the logic of Supt Sherrington, police will be entitled to visit the homes of DS and Beo while "searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism".

    Get ready for that 3am knock on the door, boys ..........

  5. #5
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Sussex by the Sea
    Posts
    9,276
    Rep Power
    15

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Quote Originally Posted by John S View Post
    At this moment, somebody, somewhere, is ferreting around in hyperspace tracking down the real identites of Dreadful Scathe and Beowulf, two politically-motivated individuals who are giving the oxygen of publicity to suspected terrorists who film police committing crimes.

    So, on the logic of Supt Sherrington, police will be entitled to visit the homes of DS and Beo while "searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism".

    Get ready for that 3am knock on the door, boys ..........
    Quite right too. Anybody from the planet Scathe is guilty of interplanetary terrorism. The police of Portsmouth know this planet has been guilty of ignoring blue planets for too long and will be watching out for all three inch tall individuals with a blue face - if you match this description I recommend you avoid Portsmouth, visit Liverpool and mingle with the Diddy men

    Me? I'm nearly four inches tall in my stilettos and wear orange make-up like any self-repecting Portsmouth dancer should

  6. #6
    Registered User Beowulf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    The Beoverse
    Posts
    7,985
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Quote Originally Posted by John S View Post
    Dreadful Scathe and Beowulf, two politically-motivated individuals


    Politically motivated? There's a larf.. I don't vote.. couldn't tell you who our local MP is .. barely know anyone in the cabinet other than wossname brown.

    Politically motivated? Nah mate.. I just read the Metro.. renowned for it's cutting edge exposés of political scandals..

    .. and the occasional story about a singing dog.


    oh btw.. I do hate wasting the tax payers money.. I'll Save them some time.. Pete Little SE22

  7. #7
    Registered User Ronde!'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    146
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Police abuse powers

    I am inclined to agree that authorities are overstepping the line when they start harassing people for taking photographs in public places. As far as I'm aware, taking photographs in public spaces has (generally) never been illegal (there are some particular exceptions).

    For Australian forumites who are keen photographers, I'd encourage you to download, print, and keep on your person this handy pocket guide to your rights as a street photographer, from the Arts Law Centre of Australia:

    http://www.artslaw.com.au/_documents...hersRights.pdf

    You can also view an online version here:

    http://www.artslaw.com.au/legalinfor...hersRights.asp

    Non-Australians: many of the principles expressed in this information apply to other jurisdictions as well, but do keep in mind that these guides are intended to only apply to the Commonwealth of Australia and not to other countries.

  8. #8
    Registered User ~*~Saligal~*~'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    575
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Quote Originally Posted by Ronde! View Post
    I am inclined to agree that authorities are overstepping the line when they start harassing people for taking photographs in public places. As far as I'm aware, taking photographs in public spaces has (generally) never been illegal (there are some particular exceptions).

    For Australian forumites who are keen photographers, I'd encourage you to download, print, and keep on your person this handy pocket guide to your rights as a street photographer, from the Arts Law Centre of Australia:

    http://www.artslaw.com.au/_documents...hersRights.pdf

    You can also view an online version here:

    Legal Information : Street Photographers Rights

    Non-Australians: many of the principles expressed in this information apply to other jurisdictions as well, but do keep in mind that these guides are intended to only apply to the Commonwealth of Australia and not to other countries.
    Shame they didn't take more notice of this when they put together the street-level visuals on google maps. I thought the maps concept was kinda cool at first... but I'm thinking that the street-level version is going a little too far IMO.

  9. #9
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Google Street maps are generally a good idea - they are free and open and set out to blur out actual people if they catch them in the picture. I'm much more worried when the govenment have that sort of technology and keep it to themselves.

    on another note, I found this story and more new definitions from the police.

    A 5 year old shot her 18 month old brother in the head with an air pistol; to quote "The 18-month old's father, handyman Bakht Zaman, 29, was using the gun for target practice moments before the incident. But as he answered his mobile..."

    Basically, he left the gun, loaded and ready to fire next to a 5 year old.

    "Rashid's sister is really active and she got hold of the gun and pointed it at her brother." what ? she's really active ? is that an excuse to cover the incompotent father? its a mere step away from saying "she was lightning fast as she reached for the gun and in one swift movement, pivoted on the balls of her feet and fired, outpacing her attentive Father who slipped on a banana skin whilst leaping in the way of the pellet".

    But the line from the West Midlands Police is that the shooting appeared to be a "tragic accident".

    um...right. So when George W Bush leaves the big red nuclear armageddon button in a StarBucks and some 5 year old presses it, I'm sure it will equally be a "tragic accident", perhaps tempered with "it was only Russia anyway".

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    London & environs'
    Posts
    3,938
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe View Post
    on another note, I found this story and more new definitions from the police.

    A 5 year old shot her 18 month old brother in the head with an air pistol; to quote "The 18-month old's father, handyman Bakht Zaman, 29, was using the gun for target practice moments before the incident. But as he answered his mobile..."

    Basically, he left the gun, loaded and ready to fire next to a 5 year old.

    "Rashid's sister is really active and she got hold of the gun and pointed it at her brother." what ? she's really active ? is that an excuse to cover the incompotent father? its a mere step away from saying "she was lightning fast as she reached for the gun and in one swift movement, pivoted on the balls of her feet and fired, outpacing her attentive Father who slipped on a banana skin whilst leaping in the way of the pellet".

    But the line from the West Midlands Police is that the shooting appeared to be a "tragic accident".
    Any parent will know how kids can move like lightening when you don't want them to do something, but become snail like when you try to get them to do something.

  11. #11
    Registered User stewart38's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Ambrosden it gets
    Posts
    7,480
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe View Post
    Google Street maps are generally a good idea - they are free and open and set out to blur out actual people if they catch them in the picture. I'm much more worried when the govenment have that sort of technology and keep it to themselves.

    on another note, I found this story and more new definitions from the police.

    A 5 year old shot her 18 month old brother in the head with an air pistol; to quote "The 18-month old's father, handyman Bakht Zaman, 29, was using the gun for target practice moments before the incident. But as he answered his mobile..."

    Basically, he left the gun, loaded and ready to fire next to a 5 year old.

    "Rashid's sister is really active and she got hold of the gun and pointed it at her brother." what ? she's really active ? is that an excuse to cover the incompotent father? its a mere step away from saying "she was lightning fast as she reached for the gun and in one swift movement, pivoted on the balls of her feet and fired, outpacing her attentive Father who slipped on a banana skin whilst leaping in the way of the pellet".

    But the line from the West Midlands Police is that the shooting appeared to be a "tragic accident".

    um...right. So when George W Bush leaves the big red nuclear armageddon button in a StarBucks and some 5 year old presses it, I'm sure it will equally be a "tragic accident", perhaps tempered with "it was only Russia anyway".

    If it had been a 25yr old white women with 3 children on benefit, i wonder if it would have been described as a tragic accident

    ps i took a photo of a police car on a yellow line its somewhere on this forum 'summer photos 2006 ?'

  12. #12
    An Eclectic Toaster
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    2,042
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Police abuse powers

    Quote Originally Posted by Ronde! View Post
    For Australian forumites who are keen photographers, I'd encourage you to download, print, and keep on your person this handy pocket guide to your rights as a street photographer, from the Arts Law Centre of Australia:

    http://www.artslaw.com.au/_documents...hersRights.pdf

    You can also view an online version here:

    http://www.artslaw.com.au/legalinfor...hersRights.asp
    A UK version is available here:

    UK Photographers Rights

    Alternately just google "UK photographer's rights" for a host of good information on this subject.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Me again looking for a willing man to use & abuse...
    By Smiley Sue in forum Social events
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 2nd-August-2008, 05:58 PM
  2. Home Secretary steals police oficers pay rise
    By under par in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 13th-December-2007, 11:33 AM
  3. Riot Police Prank
    By StevanHogg in forum Fun and Games
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10th-December-2007, 01:50 AM
  4. Teacher's new powers
    By Barry Shnikov in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 6th-April-2007, 03:03 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •