[AMA] I Am a Victoria Police Officer - Ask Me Anything

L[Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:34
Last edited 16/06/2017 - 23:17

Hello everyone!

I've never posted here before but I've been following OzBargain community for some time now. Love those deals!

A bit about myself:

I am a male.
I am a Senior Constable of Victoria Police.
I work in the Melbourne region. I've worked pretty much all areas in Melbourne. Never worked in the country.
I work in the Uniform branch now but I've worked in many areas and it won't take long for me to try and move again. I like diversity.

Please understand that whatever I will reply here, represents my views/opinions only and not Victoria Police. Also, this is highly frowned upon by Victoria Police and they will probably want/try to sack me. I can't post anything to identify me.

Ok, if you have any questions, fire away!

EDIT 1
I didn't expect to have so many questions. It's almost 1AM and I need to go to sleep.
I'll answer more questions tomorrow.

EDIT 2
I went through some of my answers and I made a lot of spelling or wrong words/sentences. I'm sorry for that, I didn't proofread. There are a lot of questions I'm trying to answer. Just read between the lines and get the idea. I'm trying to get quantity instead of quality.

Edit 3
I want to touch upon something that pops up a lot.

  • A lot with what Victoria Police does it is dictated by the media. Whatever makes headlines, that's where the Victoria Police's resources gets directed. Media is a huge chaser of big news of small things and that's what we focus on and not on the major problems.
  • I believe that we are modelled after the community expectations. Whatever the community thought or desired (through media), Victoria Police complied. That goes from Apex to pursuits to drug driving and investigations.

Word of caution be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. I'm afraid we will end up more like USA where we will have a very large incarceration rate (for instant gratification) with a very high recidivist rate whilst the problem is still there. We seem to want revenge not solutions.

Edit 4
The questions popped up a bit and I didn't give a full explanation to the stress levels.

  • There is lots of stress in this job. Most of the stress comes from the police station/unit itself. Victoria Police is extremely political. Who likes you or who you're friends with has a lot more to do with the progress of your career than how good you are at your job. "Management by intimidation" is common.

  • Some of our colleagues embarrass us. We don't have an input into who gets hired. Everyone knows somebody (or more than one) who is reckless, immature, lazy, dishonest, or just dumb. When these people are allowed to keep being cops is when our image suffers. Reporting is not usually an option as it can backfire. You can't report anonymously.

Edit 5 - and final

It has passed more than 24 hours since the start of this thread. For me, it's time to end it.

Thank you everyone for the questions. I've had a blast and never thought it would get so much attention. I hope this as given you a little bit more understanding of what's behind the scenes.

I know a lot more questions are out there, just be a bit daring and ask the copper you see next time in the shopping centre about some of these questions. Questions like traffic, mental health, or anything of interest. You might get a good answer or not. You might get a weird face or a smile. Who knows, never know until you try it.

Say hello to us when you see us at Mecca's. You don't know it but sometimes, that is the nicest thing a member of the public said that day.

Introduce Yourself

closed Comments

  • airal3rt on 15/06/2017 - 21:36
    +8

    How long until the Cyber Crimes Unit tracks your IP down?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:46
      +21

      I wouldn't know. I'll probably find out soon enough.

      • altomic on 15/06/2017 - 22:47
        +4

        2 years.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:33

        Who should you call if the Police are committing an offence against you?

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 09:50
          +7

          Speak with a supervisor or make a complaint.

          Have the confidence that the complaint will most likely be investigated properly.

        • Munki on 16/06/2017 - 13:39
          +2

          @harwooden: That's exactly what they want us to think…

        • gimli on 16/06/2017 - 19:31

          Ghost busters

    • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:28
      +31

      How long until the Cyber Crimes Unit tracks your IP down?

      Depends on whether this topic is still on the front page when the next Kripsy Kreme deal pops up.

  • tightarse on 15/06/2017 - 21:36
    +17

    Welcome to OzBargain, and thank you for your service to the community. If I were you, I'd definitely be concerned about being traced by your peers, but if you insist… Have you ever had to fire your gun or taser in the line of duty?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:48
      +31

      Thank you.

      I haven't even pulled my gun out yet. I was close, very close but my colleague decided to draw whilst I had some other option out.

      I hope that day never comes.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:25

        Does Victoria Police review individual officer's decisions to draw weapons and compare them to standards and statistics?

        Why did your colleague decide to draw their firearm and what was your other option?

        Have you been trained to draw your taser and firearm in each hand?

        Do you think the weapon SOPs are lacking in any way?

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 09:56
          +7

          Victoria Police reviews every use of force. Drawing the weapon is considered use of force and is reviewed a bit more closely. Basically when you draw your weapon, you have to be ready to pull a bullet in the offender's chest.

          Same is with teaser. The teaser however, also films the interaction and that goes through a panel and gets (most likely) a scrutiny and you get a kick in the ass.

          As per training, we get basic firearm training and draw in one hand only. The fewer options the better as a whole. Imagine that not everyone is as good as you/me/him with firearms and, I kid you not, most of us are helpless with firearms. With luck, we can shot someone within 3 meters. A lot of factors you have to take into account speed of events, adrenaline rush, hand shaking, movements, distractions. etc.

          Not sure what SOP is, do you mean SAP ?

        • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:58

          @harwooden:

          Standard Operating Procedures

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 14:17
          +2

          @Scrooge McDuck: haha, didn't cross my mind that someone actually knows about SOPs.

          SOPs regarding the firearm I think they are in a good place where they are now. I think training lacks but again, I don't think we can justify more training as we don't draw as much or at all. That's for specialist units, CIRT and SOG.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 15:53
          +12

          @harwooden:

          haha, didn't cross my mind that someone actually knows about SOPs.

          I have 12 years of service in the Grammar Police.

  • nocure on 15/06/2017 - 21:37

    Also, this is highly frowned upon by Victoria Police and they will probably want/try to sack me. I can't post anything to identify me

    Why risk your job?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:52
      +8

      In theory, I'm not doing anything illegal. However, anyone who's identifying himself as a copper off duty and speaks about it on public forums (think also FB) risks his job. VicPol will try and deem it as something that can/will bring public scrutiny and get you fired or at least get you before a disciplinary hearing where you have to state your reason to stay in.

      • Lysander on 16/06/2017 - 03:30
        +22

        The fact that transparency and public scrutiny is frowned upon makes me highly suspicious of any police officer and makes me believe something illegal and fishy is going on within.
        In Queensland anyway (still, despite Fitzgerald inquiry) but it seems to be the case in the whole country. I have made my RTI and IP requests and at every corner the police tried to intimidate, stall and refuse those requests. The same for requests for the operation manual in Queensland (before it was available online) despite the fact that HQ in Roma Street told me I could go to any police station to read it. The station officers were not to happy and outright lied about it.

        I think what you are doing is very important and we need more police officers that make police work public and transparent so thank you for doing that.
        If that does not happen, it will not end well for Australia as well as for the police forces I suspect.

        • k-rokfm on 16/06/2017 - 08:39
          +3

          I think its more a formality thing to protect themselves from someone going rogue. As long as OP answers as correctly and appropriately as he can, I wouldnt see them having a huge issue with it.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:00
          +4

          The problem is that, this sort of thing attract unnecessary media attention. It's not about anything suspicious or fishy it's that we, as a force, are usually in the news, every news. Anything more is bad for us.

          When media says jump, Victoria Police asks how high. We don't go by the community expectations or protection, we go by what the media reports and asks from us. Some very bad decisions are made within VP because of this. It's mind boggling.

          I am a strong believer in community, and, I sort of realise that this sort forum Q/A's are important for the community trust. Unfortunately, this should be done by Victoria Police itself and try to be more transparent about decision making. If that would have been the case, the community would be furious about what's happening.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:37

    Do you enloop?
    When was the last time you used the bikies?

    All we need to know right there

  • mskeggs on 15/06/2017 - 21:38

    What do normal cops think of highway patrol?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:54
      +15

      Except for those members who want to get to HWP, they have a very bad reputation. They have many nicknames among the members.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 01:30
        +6

        I can certainly understand the division.

        While it might be cool to drive fast cars with lights and sirens for everyone to get out of the way, their primary duties is to raise revenue - even for the most technical of crimes even when no public safety issue exists or an outcome can be achieved without a fine, compared to other Police who the community calls upon to do the actual Police work and work very hard to do. Having respect from the community tarnished because of what HWP do has got to hurt.

        • Peck on 16/06/2017 - 08:17
          +8

          I hate it when people winge about being pulled up for breaking the law. Lets face it, it IS breaking the law!!
          How many times have you exceeded the speed limit etc and gotten away with it?
          So you get caught now and then. BAD LUCK!!
          How would you feel if you or a loved one was injured or killed by a drink driver and/or a speeding driver? And even if it is revenue raising…. the government has to get revenue from somewhere, and so why not from those who are speeding etc. ?
          Don't speed and you won't have to pay. SIMPLE!!!

        • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:44
          +4

          @Peck:

          But sometimes the law is overconstraining. eg:

          It can be safer to lane filter on a motorcycle.

          It can be safer to temporarily exceed the speed limit when overtaking.

          It can be wasteful to come to a complete stop at a stop sign when you have a clear view of the road in all directions.

          It can be efficient to use your horn when not strictly lawful.

          etc.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:19
          +24

          Well it is and it isn't. I'll try to clarify bit for you.

          Mobile speed cameras's primary duty is raising revenue (those are not police members). I've thought long about this and I can't find any other reason for their existence. Whatever VicRoads are claiming regarding saving lives etc etc etc is a nonsense. There are a lot of other strategies that could be put in place to reduce the speed, that's not one of them. We as police members hate them.

          The HWP performs a very important role in our community. They slap people on the wrist for doing bad things. As a consequence that stops some of the community members to think twice before going through a red light.

          Because of the above, the HWP is the one unit in Victoria Police that has a direct impact upon saving lives. Most of the lives. Around 250 lives lost last year due to crashes. It becomes the norm and we don't give a second thought of that, media doesn't even report it most of the times.

          Now replace crash with knife fights/stabbings. Everyone would go berzerk and the expectation would be that police do something and no one would cry about it.

          A death is a death, and a crash or a knife won't make it more or less painful.

          Most of the Victoria Police's operational members justify their existence by statistics. HWP is the same. You want to be within HWP, you are expected to give a large amount of tickets each shift. We work by quantity not quality.

          It's not about revenue raising, we don't get the money, we don't see the money. They give the tickets because they have to give a lot of tickets to justify their existence as a unit as a member. Have you heard of drop off 5 and police will let you go. That's wrong because drop off 5 and they will find something else, they have to, for the stats. Everything is recorded and monitored and if you don't want to have the discussion with your manager regarding your work performance, you have to give tickets.

          The problems begin when stats (most important) and laziness come into place. Because of stats and the fact that they are employed at HWP they very rarely respond to anything else rather than car crashes. They are not allowed to or they'll get the talk and the kick. Because of the stats they give unnecessary tickets that may actually transform some of the community members into crooks by taking their opportunity to go to work away from them.

          Anyway, this is the guts of it, there is a lot more to it but … this is just how I think.

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 10:25

          @Peck: Strawman argument - there are LOTS of "offences" that HWP will happily slog you with that pose zero danger to anyone.

          One example:

          Driving an unregistered vehicle: I've been done for just over 1 week over that was 100% accidental - Officer had to speed excessively around the block to "catch me" on my driveway. He put residents in danger for a nonsense "offence" this happened when we switched from stickers to the certificate, I thought it was registered because I had the "certificate". Utter nonsense and no leeway. Given I've had my vehicles always registered for 25+ years should indicate this was an oversight. It's not upholding the "intent" of the law and in my opinion is an abuse of power.

          Another:

          I had a motorcyclist being aggressive at me and stopped in the middle of the road to block my path, being a right d!ck. This happened to be on a road that had a solid white line. I stopped my vehicle and then proceeded to pass him on the other side of the road (overtook a stationary vehicle). HWP Officer about 10 cars back saw me cross the white line, then dangerously overtook the 10 cars and proceeded to book me. He would not accept anything I said to him until I told him that my father (who was in the car behind me) had dash cam footage of the "incident". At that point he issues a warning. If I did not have that footage he would have made a bunch of "wild arse assumptions" and booked me. He had already written the violation and fine and had to change it to a warning. He had no idea what happened and assumed nonsense that was almost at my expense.

          I'm sure there's a tonne of other similar situations out there.

        • Peck on 16/06/2017 - 10:30
          +2

          @Scrooge McDuck: Sure, if you did it once or twice under certain circumstances and get caught then you can explain your circumstances to the police officer. They always ask you "Is there a reason for…………"
          However, if you get caught, then chances are that you do it habitually.
          I am not saying that I always do everything within the law. But, if I get caught, then I blame myself, not the police officer.

        • Deridas on 16/06/2017 - 13:46
          +6

          @iDroid:

          I'm reasonably sure an unregistered vehicle cannot possibly have a valid CTP. That's why it is very important unregistered vehicles cannot be on the road, even if it's accidental.

        • bargainy on 16/06/2017 - 14:57
          +2

          @iDroid: except when your vehicle is unregistered it is also uninsured so a massive risk to other drivers.

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 16:19

          @Deridas: Sure, but it was 1 week overdue. We're not talking about an intentional avoidance of registration here. I understand the law but some judgement of the situation needs to be put in place. The kicker is that the officer involved had to speed excessively around the block to meet me on my driveway (I turned into my street while he was behind me, he missed the turn then he sped (very fast) down a 60km main road then sped down our suburban 50km street for a 1 week overdue registration). Totally unreasonable IMO and his actions were FAR worse than my accidental renewal oversight.

          Key point: I'm not disagreeing with the law in principle but the intent of the law needs to be considered in each case. In this case the situation did not meet the intent of the law.

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 16:26

          @garglebutt: Risk here needs to be qualified. In my case it was not a risk to other drivers, I could afford to fix their damage if needed. Not that I'm saying I'd want that situation. I never have my car unregistered or uninsured intentionally - that'd be crazy.

          Intentionally driving an unregistered vehicle (especially for an extended period of time) is what the law is intended for.

          My cars have been insured continuously for over 1300 weeks (25+ years), an oversight (due to changes in procedure and my lack of tracking my registration properly (my bad)) for 1 week and I cop a huge fine.. Just? I think not. My car was unregistered for 0.000769231% of my driving life.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 16:31
          +2

          @iDroid:

          Flip side of the coin. I check your car - unregistered.

          The conversation might go down like this:
          Manager:where is the ticket
          Me: well I couldn't catch him.
          MNGR: Did he get away from you intentionally ?
          Me: Don't know, can't say for sure, probably not
          MNGR: Did you attempt to intercept him
          Me: No
          MNGR: why not
          ….
          …
          …
          See where I'm going ?

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 16:49

          @harwooden: I do, but risking the lives of others was not appropriate IMO. My car is a modern relatively new car (not some old clunker) (if that makes any difference), does the "unregistered period" also show when your onboard computers flag an unregistered vehicle (it should if it doesn't). If it does, then that should have factored into the officer's actions and judgement. Before I was issued the fine he was well aware of all the specifics but basically couldn't care (screams revenue generating or power play).

          When the officer arrived at my house he questioned me if my car was registered, I replied "Sure" or similar, he asked me for proof and I collected the "certificate" from my house and presented it to him. He looked at it and said it was unpaid. I was shocked since I had the "certificate". This was the first registration I had after they abolished the window stickers. When doing my paperwork I saw the certificate and assumed either myself or my wife had paid it (I've got the "certificate" after all). The cause of this confusion is the somewhat confusing notion of sending out something labelled "certificate of registration" before it's been paid. I was truly shocked to find it was unpaid and unregistered (not a risk I'd want to take). I think the officer made poor judgement and had little to no respect for myself. I felt strongly about it and appealed in writing and we told (in more professional wording) "too bad, just pay". I just can't justify the decision making in this situation. I think that 1 week of 1300+ weeks of registration plus the confusion of the situation with the certificate should have made common sense prevail, but didn't.

          Obviously I'm sore about the situation so my view will be somewhat biased. But even though years have passed I still feel I was treated poorly.

          I still retain my respect for our police though. They have a tough life influencing job that not many could do.

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 18:42

          @harwooden: I'd like to add, that if the officer would have received pressure from those senior to him, my "beef" still applies but is directed at the wrong person. Someone who is trusted to uphold the law and use force (if necessary) should be equally trusted to make judgement calls as required.

          If it's due to budgets etc, then perhaps their should be a marketing campaign to encourage people to vote for more funding. More funding = more leniency where due, and better protection for our society (since police won't be wasting time generating revenue). Give police more budget could actually end up costing the public less.

        • bargainy on 16/06/2017 - 22:45

          @iDroid: The bit that worries me is that you think CTP is for property. Unless you have millions of dollars lying around you may not be able to meet potential personal injury costs.

          I get that it was only a week but laws are supposed to be applied equally to all otherwise they tend to creep away from the original intent.

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 22:55

          @garglebutt: Fair point - yes, I wasn't considering the full extent of CTP. I still think the fine for such a minor oversight is not what the law was intended for. The real solution was to make me aware of the situation so I can immediately register my car. It was clear that it was accidental (or the officer's BS detector was failing him) and for a very short period. No accident occurred, so the "risk to others" is purely academic IMO.

        • johnno07 on 16/06/2017 - 23:55

          @iDroid: People don't seem to get that ignorance isn't an excuse? You broke the law, man. Unregistered, uninsured. Sure it was a mistake, but it was still against the law. Far out.

        • iDroid on 17/06/2017 - 00:15

          @johnno07: Each to his own I suppose. Let's hope you don't accidentally let a piece of paper fall from your pocket, if you do let's hope you get nicked for it.

          Have some perspective. Sheesh. 1300+ weeks of registered vehicle, 1 week (obviously accidentally) lapsed… I really don't think that's the intent of that law. It's there to deter drivers from intentionally not registering their car.

          No different than if you were to be booked for doing 101kmph in a 100kmph zone. I'll be sure to give you the same sympathy if this happens to you.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:46

        They have many nicknames among the members.

        What are they and should I use them during my next RBT stop?

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:20

          Most used is "jury (profanity)".

    • Cyphar on 16/06/2017 - 09:27
      +2

      I have a few cop friends and they hate HWP with a passion. Apparently they can get away with writing up reports. What might be a 10-20 page report for a normal uniformed officer is only a page long for HWP. What a joke.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:21
        +2

        Sounds about right.

  • airal3rt on 15/06/2017 - 21:52

    What's your motive for doing this btw, are you disillusioned with law enforcement?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 21:58
      +25

      Thank you for the question.

      I saw on many discussion forums that a lot of people are speaking of police or law or procedures without having the sightless idea about the subject. This is a chance for me to answer some of the community questions and get some ideas or myths straight.

      I don't want in any way to put Victoria Police in a bad image or a good one, I just want to clarify some of the questions or myths the community members have. If the answers lean one way or another, so be it.

  • shapers on 15/06/2017 - 21:57
    +4

    Thanks for your service! Do you all get annoyed with the weak sentences given out?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 22:25
      +94

      Thank you for the question.

      For me, this is a rather easy question to answer but very difficult to understand. This questions needs some background and some history and I will try and put it in perspective to try and get a grip of what I'm saying.

      I will start by saying that The Police Association as well as all of the colleagues that I spoke with agree with TPA and largely with the community. The sentencing system is weak and the punishments should be harsher.

      As for me, the answer is no. In fact I'm against this sentencing system all together, and I'll tell you why.

      We largely seem to follow the American system with "hard on crime". Or that's what the public wants. What the public doesn't understand is that:

      • the same offenders will go back where they came after a short trip to a building, with no new skills to repair their life
      • you put together same type of people where they can't enrich themselves and talk/learn same set of skills from one to another
      • the system it's absolutely stupid, we don't apply the same sentencing to other beings (eq: dogs). Let me explain.
        • Example: your dog takes a crap in the middle of your living room. You take your dog and put him in his kennel for 1 month. After 1 month you let him out expecting him to behave and not crap there again.
        • Is that a good method ? Maybe / maybe not. What you'd probably do is rub the dog's nose in his shit to know not to do it next time. That's a much much better alternative than locking him up.
        • This is the jail system. Does it work ? No. We've been doing it for hundreds of years and it does not work, you don't rehabilitate people like that.

      We need to look further from the "jail" system and understand that those who go there, will eventually get out and be your neighbour again.

      Let's look at the northern Europe countries, the recidivist rate is as low as 16% instead of 50% as it is in Australia.

      • shapers on 15/06/2017 - 22:41
        +3

        Great :) thanks for the detailed response!
        What do you think about the drug situation going on? E.g the overdoses on the weekend? 9/10 times I go clubbing I'll get asked if I want something or if I'm selling

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 00:19
          +12

          I mostly stay away from clubs unless I really have to (work).

          I'm scared of this world and that my son will probably end up being asked the same thing and he will have to make a (hopefully) right decision.

          Victoria Police simply has no means to deal with the problem in the clubs. It's a risk assessment we make every time we go in or around. The numbers don't favour us.

          I think we should tackle the problem some other way. I found education to be a better solution to the problem than putting a person in a room and then letting him out.

        • iDroid on 16/06/2017 - 10:36
          +6

          @harwooden: I couldn't agree more. I have young children and I fear for the temptations they will be presented with (drugs, etc). Obviously I'll do all I can to prepare them for such situations (educate) but peers often have more influence on their eventual decision making.

          Personally I believe that the prohibition of drugs is causing the problem more than it's helping. Remove the "profit" part of the industry and you remove the incentive to manufacture (on a commercial scale). IMO it's a problem that's been caused by the attempts to fix it.

          Soft drugs, specifically cannabis would still be available as it can be easily grown at home and IMO poses significantly less risk to our youth than the designer drugs filling our clubs now.

          Prohibition does not work, surely after 100+ years of attempting this you'd think the law makers would recognise this. It's creating the illicit drug industry through policy.

          IMO drugs are not a "crime" they are a health and social issue and should be treated as such. You can't fix drug problems by prosecuting users.

          ps: I commend you for starting and participating in this thread. You have every bit of my respect.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 14:25
          +5

          @iDroid: Yes, I agree. I also believe that illicit drugs are a health and social issue and shouldn't be dealt with by locking someone in a room and then releasing him/her.

          There are some good documentaries made by former drug addicts who state the same.

          If we were allowed to put a time-lapse of 5 years of a person who's a meth addict, the community would freak out. The changes are incredible.

          We don't seem to learn from our past mistakes as politicians with no education or low IQ rule us. Prohibition was a huge failure back in the 20's and it still is.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 22:58
        +3

        I think it's interesting that you mention Northern European countries. There is a big difference that you're not taking into account: Scandinavian countries have a much more equal spread of wealth. There are direct links between crime and socio economic status.

      • djmm on 16/06/2017 - 00:08

        Maybe we should force crims to take a dump and then we rub their noses on their own shit, it might stop them from reoffending?

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 00:25
          +2

          Maybe we need to get them to clean up their mess after doing something.

          Would you prefer to put them in a room and let them out after a bit there ? That's your solution ?

        • 0031nek on 16/06/2017 - 00:42

          @harwooden: in drug perspective, maybe we should rub those drug dealer more drugs so that they can feel the OD?

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 00:45
          +17

          @0031nek: One of my offenders did just that, took 120 pills one night and went to sleep in the bus station, on the grass. I happened to stumble upon him at about 2AM in the morning and knew him as I've arrested him just a week before.

          He was sleeping into death. Rescued him.

          He is not taking drugs anymore.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 09:56
          -1

          @harwooden:

          He is not taking drugs anymore.

          But is he now a net positive contributor to society?

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:25
          +4

          @Scrooge McDuck: Not yet.

          Last I heard he was supported by his mother and brother and he was trying to get his life straight.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 01:41
        +8

        While rubbing the dogs nose in it's shit is certainly a step up from locking them in a room that they don't even associate with the actions they took to being there, that dog training technique is actually outdated and the preferred way to teach a dog to to focus on rewarding the dog for good behavior to condition them into making them want to shit outside more than they ever want to inside.

        If they do manage to shit inside, a very SMALL timeout is appropriate (i.e. 5 minutes for a dog) and IMMEDIATELY after they have done it as not to associate the action with good things.

        I believe that learning techniques which work on more primitive animals such as dogs also work on humans, it it works on a basic brain level much lower than our conscience.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:27
          +4

          Bravo!

          And this is how things should improve. Let's brainstorm about the problem and try and come to a solution.

          The thing is, we are driven by revenge. That's what the public wants. I'm hurt because he stole my car, I want him in jail. We want instant gratification against long term solutions.

        • ssyl9 on 16/06/2017 - 14:23

          @harwooden:

          I agree with you. Punishment for the behaviour is actually better than locking someone up.

          All in all, going in jail, apart from not being able to leave, is not really a punishment. You are allowed to eat, sleep, drink etc and don't even need to work hard for them. That's not really a punishment, its more of a "vacation" from the real world. I agree this will never rehabilitate criminals or offenders.

          Actually locking them up with worse people (people who possibility cannot be rehabilitated) might make them worse than before they were put in.

        • elektron on 16/06/2017 - 18:21

          @harwooden: One person's revenge is another person's justice.

          By the way, thank you for making such a brave and valuable contribution.

      • stingy-oz on 16/06/2017 - 09:42
        +3

        I agree and disagree on few front

        I agree that jail/locking up people is not a means of rehabilitation criminals. Some may be intentional criminals while others may be otherwise. Many criminals came out of jail and have no skill or other means to support themselves ended up re-offending; while others simply want to get arrested so they don't end up being homeless again. Being a criminal could be hard with employers not wanting to give them 2nd chance (understandable)

        Looking at another perspective, they are human resources - why can't we have some ways to utilize the resources and make them work. I heard many of such programs overseas like one in Philippines where the whole island is a nature reserve and prisoners are made to work on activities to save endangered species etc.

        In ancient times, prisoners are sentenced to hard labour because the government needs people for those work. It saves them money. I am not trying to say hard labour is solution but we can look at work that can give them skillset preparing them when they comes out again. Maybe they have something they can use instead of re-offending.

        They gain skills and knowledge, gain reputation.

        I disagree on front for those serial killers/rapists or those of serious crimes. Some criminal deserves to be locked up and away from human civilization IMHO. I don't mean to treat them in a bad way but some are really out of help, so we need to protect the majority instead.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 10:15

          why can't we have some ways to utilize the resources and make them work.

          Because our society is very sensitive to the human rights of individuals who injure it with their crimes and prefers to spend $100,000+/(crim*year) coddling them.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 10:31
          +2

          I'm with you on this one.

          Some of them need to be kept away from society but not all of them and most can/could be made "good" again. It's a question of how. I have no empathy for serious crimes and I personally would cut the rapists's d****.

          We have community work doing it for us here. And last I heard, the program was overwhelmed with the number of offenders doing it. Not sure if that's the 100% right approach. It's certainly a step up against locking them in a room and then letting them out.

      • Kail on 16/06/2017 - 17:31
        +1

        I'm glad I'm not the only person who feels we should look to European countries with low recidivist rates! I don't understand why Australia doesn't emulate them? Their statistics are proof their processes work well.

        Even if we pay experts from those countries to come here and help reform our justice system, and pump lots of money into making the change, the cost benefits in terms of lower crime rates, lower reoffending rates, less people in jail to pay for and less jails would outweigh the original costs plus continue to provide financial benefits in the future. Plus the social benefits would be enormous.

        I wish there was something we could do about it.
        Do you think there's any point in writing letters to the federal government about this? Or organising a petition to show that many Australians think we can do better with our justice system?

      • gimli on 16/06/2017 - 19:34

        Difference between dog and human is that the dog doesn't know where to crap and we teach it.
        Humans who say steal, or commit other crime no that it is bad. The question is can we actually rehab people. For some crimes I'm sure the answer is yes more often than other crimes.

  • Rizzy on 15/06/2017 - 22:00
    +2
    • What/How much is your discount at Maccas?
    • What are your thoughts on the 9mm glock as your sidearm?
    • BensonP on 15/06/2017 - 22:02

      50% off was the going rate about 10 years ago!

      • Rizzy on 15/06/2017 - 22:06
        +1

        Thanks for the reply!

        If you can't answer second question - that is totally fine.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 22:27
      +18
      1. 50% - 100%.

      Very bad as it makes us go there a lot. That makes us (including me) fat and not look for healthier options.

      1. I don't care, it's just a tool.
      • Scrooge McDuck on 16/06/2017 - 10:18

        Are the fitness standards adequate?

        Are there ongoing fitness standards?

        What fitness resources are provided?

      • t_c on 16/06/2017 - 11:28

        Wow nice, If I put on a replica uniform and go thru the drive thru can I get the discount, do I need to flash a badge or anything?

    • Fishclip on 16/06/2017 - 11:52

      Pretty sure Victoria Police carry the Smith & Wesson M&P chambered in .40 S&W - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Police#Firearms

      • Rizzy on 16/06/2017 - 17:39

        Well that's embarrassing.
        Clueless news said glock just the other day. Maybe for nsw ? Thanks for the correction though.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 14:29

      I want to emphasise that we don't solicit that. That's Maccas's decision at checkout.

      I never heard of a colleague of mine saying… how about the discount when there is none.

  • bdl on 15/06/2017 - 22:12
    +1

    Do you like Street Fighter? :)

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 22:27
      +1

      love it !

  • chumlee on 15/06/2017 - 22:12
    +3

    Have you met Senior Sergeant Ritchie yet?

  • SnoozeAndLose on 15/06/2017 - 22:17

    I would like to ask, why some time police identified a thief who commit a robbery in private home, they even have the name of the person but they never take action to trace this person down. Is it because police are too busy for other cases? The value being stolen is not high enough?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 23:12
      +4

      What you are referring to is a burglary. We call this volume crime. Just because it happens a lot and we receive dozens of them each day, each station.

      The value being stolen has nothing to do with what has been stolen once the offence is complete. It has to do with a whole lot of other things but most important with the ability to prosecute that offender.

      Even if we track him down, it comes down the the said ability to prosecute and the concomitant other offences that he might have committed elsewhere. He might be prosecuted for 5 - 10 burglaries and yours being one of them.

      You should have been kept in the loop, although this doesn't happen as much for the volume crimes.

      • Peck on 16/06/2017 - 08:21
        -2

        "concomitant" hehe! I love police language. Words that you would never hear or understand in normal speech.
        "Decamped" is another one. Is that about packing up your tent? hehe Or does that mean that he was 'Camp' but is now 'straight'?

  • kuehdi on 15/06/2017 - 22:28
    +3

    What threshold do you set the flash/trigger limit for a 100kph zone?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 23:07
      +6

      I don't really understand this question.

      I assume you are talking about the mobile speed cameras. If that's the case, the person sitting inside is not a police officer but a contractor for VicRoads (?)

      If you are talking about the police cars, then the person holding the laser has his own threshold which can very depending on many factors.

      • stingy-oz on 16/06/2017 - 09:44

        These are contractors for VicPol.

        the threshold for trigger is 3%, so in a 100kph you are looking at 103kph.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 12:50

          Not VicPol contractors.

          We own the cars and equipment and tell them where to go. Now our contractors.

  • wombok2 on 15/06/2017 - 22:40
    +1

    No offence or anything, but do your friends act differently when they're around you? (Eg. Always on their best behaviour for whatever reason.)

    Do you take action if you're off duty and someone speeds past you.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 23:25
      +33

      Fortunately, my close friends are pretty well behaved.

      I do go crazy when I see some of them throwing cigarettes butts on the ground. I get them to pick them up. They do understand though, it's not about the job I'm in, it's about the environment.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 23:26
        +13

        Oh and it's about $700 fine for aggravated littering.

        • manshrew on 16/06/2017 - 16:15
          +1

          "Aggravated littering" has some great imagery associated with it in my mind.

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