General Chat

Paula+ Ann is pleased. I am happy too. What is to be sad about? Cheer up :-D

Can't even remember what is was about, but clearly I caused offence. Ann whipped the red card out of her handbag and Genes agreed with her. I had no idea who had rr'd me, cared less, and it had absolutely no effect on the thread and no one even mentioned it.

ah but they did mention it if you go back and take a look - you said I was "too idle to vote" and of course I reported it - had I made such a slur on your character I would have expected you to report it, but then the vast majority of us on here do not say the things you say

:-\ :-\ :-\

I didn't vote!

Before we moved I was on the lay persons policing panel, the NHS lay panel and contributed to Pembrokeshire voice so you can't say I am not interested in local policies.

However, because I am mainly in Ceredigion (where I am registered to vote) and Dyfed/Powys police authority covers a huge area I felt totally disconnected to the candidates from day one.

I'd rather speak with our local station or Carmarthen Central than some 'unknown' who couldn't be bothered to canvas or publish any worthwhile, workable plan.

Sue

I did vote. But very tempted not to for first time in my life. Alun Michael got in in South Wales, but have not heard if was close or not. Possibly only one vote in it.

The only one in Wales I know nothing about is your guy. Think he was Tory-sponsored.

The chap in North Wales, Winston Roddick, sounds quite a character. I met someone last night (a Barrister) who knows him well. He said he was an excellent man and would be independent of political pressure.

I'd rather they have an unelected panel of 'plods' you know those on the ground who face the consequences of cuts and stupid dictats from senior officers who have mastered funny handshakes.

Plus they would have exact knowledge of problems on their beats/areas and how to address them.

I am just too sensible really.

always been your problem Sue - too sensible for your own good :-D :-D

True Ann, *polishes halo which is around my neck* ;-)

Sue

That idea is used in a lot of companies. I think it is usually called quality circles. It works really well in most cases.

But I think you have put your finger on problem. It is funny handshakes and looking after your mates. I noticed when this speed camera thing started up that Richard Brunstrom (N Wales) and Chris Fox (Northants) were the "champions". And they made a huge amount of money from fines and awareness courses and, meanwhile, Northants went down the pan. Probably N Wales as well.

What was the penalty of failure for Fox? Dunno, but next thing he was head of the Assocaition of Chief Police Officers :-( :-( ;-)

I ran a beano weekend for the Order of the Knights Templar some years ago. 160 of them. Mainly police officers. Made good friends with a few who would go out of their way to help me with any problems. They even offered to fund raise for my daughter's special equipment :-D

The money raised over that weekend was donated to MS Research as a thank you to me.

Some of them do a great deal of good but with the caveat that they look after each other!

Sue Right to point out that they are very competent at raising money and do a lot of very good work.

My dad was a freemason, but I always avoided it. Plenty of normal and very successful similar organisations for police to join.

I always smile when I remember Fred Elliott in Corrie :-D

My late husband was a Freemason and as in life, there are some good some bad and some in-different. I can see nothing wrong in their "funny handshakes" or wanting to help others. They still care for me nearly eight years after my husband passed away. They do raise huge sums of money for world wide charities, but their chariety is not always financial. Freemasonary always seem to get negative a press when things go wrong, not much is mentioned of the good work they are involved in.

Our good friend who died last year was a freemason and his widow has been looked after in the sense that somebody calls to see that she is ok. They do look after their own and there is the 'network' where they get things done because they know somebody who knows somebody. But why not? Why shouldn't they. I have not been aware of them doing any harm to anyone and do know that they do a lot of good for charities without blowing their trumpet about it.

@ Annie :-D <3

I believe that at best these new PCCs will be on the level of the Children's Commisioner.At worst though they will give rise to the ridiculous notion that "Tory Police" are better than "Labour Police"!

I'm left with this question to ask;Was this yet another policy idea written on the back of a fag packet or is this another unwelcome import from the USA?

This morning:
"Almost 90% of people cannot name the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for their area, according to a new poll."

I'm one of 10% - ours is Alun Michael. But the one thing I was hoping he would stop is front desk closures, as we all want to be able to go to a police station fairly near and report a crime.

But closures are everywhere still. And my nearest police station in South Wales valleys is now Colwyn Bay (4 hours away) :-0 (terminological inexactitude to over-emphasise that I think there should be a lot more manned police desks and that seems to be what Joe Public wants)

That's not really surprising as about 90% didn't bother to vote. I expect there would be a similar response for naming all your MEPs.

Since November, I've had at least two of those 'neighbourhood papers' delivered, and no mention of our PCC.
Surely they shold be letting us, the public, know in more detail what their policies are.
Or is it (as is probably the case) 'I'm all right, got my nice cushy job now'.

and still no apology from John for his outrageous slur on my character