I was arrested by UK police at an airport and taken to to local police station to be processed. The policeman explained thay he did not want to put me in handcuffs because he did not want to "embarrass me walking through the crowds" and he politely asked me "not to do anything silly". In the station they were very polite and did not make anything more difficult than it needed to be. Although I was guilty of the crime, and I was later cautioned I felt that it was appropriate to write to the superintendent of the station to give my thanks for the courtesy shown. Thanks UK police, you're the nicest people I've been arrested by!
I remember in 2017 just after the manchester terror attack, i approached an armed police officer ouside the principality stadium and asked him for directions. The serious look on his face changed into a big smile and he was most willing to help. Try that the next time your on holiday in the states!!!
I was in NYC in December 1993 after the first world trade centre attack and went up to a police officer and asked where I could see a Harley police bike and he couldn't have been nicer even though he couldn't answer my question. Oh and the first thing I saw when I landed in America was a rather smart looking police car that made a mockery out of our Vauxhall Astras!
I love that! Yes, I do think British police officers are friendlier. Currently in the U.S. the relationship between police officers and civilians is VERY strained. To put it mildly!! It's really sad.
In London once (I'm a northerner) we asked a cop for directions and he had a tear off pad with maps of central london. He gave directions and a copy of the map. Its ingrained in British children that if you get lost you find a policeman. True there are fewer beat cops outside town/city centres these days but the principal stands if you need help you can approach any police, except the dogs your not allowed to pet them. Unless they're sniffer dogs they're friendly, but ask permission they need permission to take a break.
I'm an American who as been arrested by both. And I can personally say, from a consumer's point of view, that I prefer to be arrested by the British police.
This is a true story. Back in the 70's I was a British merchant seaman, my best mate off my ship was a black cockney guy. We docked in Lake Charles Florida, we went ashore and of course headed for the first bar. I ordered two beers, the barman gave me one and said " we don't serve n.......s" my mate was astounded, he had never been spoken to like that in his life. He told the barman so and the barman pulled a baseball bat from under the bar and hit my friend over the head, knocking him unconcious and threatened to hit me. The cops came, arrested us at gunpoint, cuffed our hands behind our backs, hit us around the back and shoulders with night sticks and locked us in a cell. The next day our skipper had to come and pay a fine, they told him we were drunk and threatening women. That would never happen in the UK.
I mean segregation only ended is the 60’s and law were put in place that made it illegal to treat people differently because of race in 1969 in the UK. So this could have happened a few years before in a England. Minus the cops and guns
Genie1 X It could have happened in the sense that a pub may have refused to serve a black person. But the US is a profoundly more violent society than the UK so it would never have happened the same way
How old are you.you claim that wouldn't happen in UK but .black ppl in Britain hate this country and besides they would always point to the fact that there was "no blacks,no dogs,no irish" signs-so perhaps it did happen.anyway im young at 31 -and spend a lot if tume in social media ...black ppl hate this country.
@@Wannawatchthis5555 I've lived in the UK for 82 years, I have Never encountered segregation. During the War when the American soldiers came to Britain, the government were asked by the American hierarchy to segregate the public houses, because there was No segregation,they got a resounding NO. Seems to me that you were allowed to risk your life, but they didn't want to drink with you. I'm not saying that there was no racism, that seems to be a world wide problem but, there has Never been segregation.
I was a Police Officer for 31 years for Tayside Police in Scotland (now part of Police Scotland). I never had a gun, nor received training to use one. In all that time I did not deal with or attend a murder or stabbing, Murders are such a rare occurrence where I live and I’m thankful for that.
This is a very important point. There is a video on RU-vid somewhere of a deranged man with mental illness making threats with a weapon.... I think it is machete. Several police cars arrive and surround him. The police then proceed to push the wheelie bins that are in the street into a barricade surrounding him, all the while talking to him an trying to calm him. Eventually, he is . tasered and subdued. The comments from the British are "Great policing!" The comments from Americans are "Why didn't they just shoot him? What a waste of time!"
@@MandyJMaddison yes, there's a few like that , just go onto UK police v us police on you tube and you see all of them , the one thing that is always clear is the US police are in the main unable or unwilling to engage in civil conversation or have no sense of humour and are full of their own self importance
@Jonathon Greenhow brilliantly put. I also think (from what I've seen) ,that some, if not the majority of American Police start from a point of fear, whereas British police approach things from trying to understand the situation 1st and prevent harm wherever possible. The militarisation of American society is the root cause I'd suggest ...gun owning & gun toting.
Italy here. Police is never allowed to use guns but when his life is in danger or he witness someone is in life danger. Every time a policeman use his gun a judge has to evaluate if the action was appropriate with the level of danger.
And it's the same for the UK, armed officers have to be given authorisation to get there weapons out and if they are discharged (fired) there will be an investigation to make sure that there wad no other causes of action available to resolve the situation.
@@rogmorts1 Almost all UK officers dont even have guns, with the exception of N.Ireland, where all officers on duty wield firearms. In order to even be allowed to carry one as an officer, you must have completed training to be an AFO (Authorised Firearms Officer), seperate from normal officer training. You also need constant refresher tests every few weeks or so. All just to carry a firearm, but if you dare to actually FIRE it, well prepare for a LOT of paperwork and 99% of the time a court trial! :)
I remember being told that and it was good advice too because I got lost for a few hours once after wandering too far from a local playground when I was five. Seeing a policewoman on the pavement was such a relief and she even hugged me when she saw how upset I was.
To this day if I’m lost or worried I ask for the closest police station. I’ve been pulled over once as a learner driver, sorted insurance that morning but it hadn’t gone through yet. Had no ID or proof on me, spent 5 minutes talking where one chatted happily to my teacher and the other listened to me, told me to stay safe and gave me a tip about the clutch. I love our police service, the importance is placed on protect AND serve and for the most part they do a great job.
Now they are being told 'they would take you away if you're naughty' which doesn't help. I have to tell them that they don't look naughty to me, but they have to do what mummy and daddy says till they are 18! It's the Law!
I support BLM but I am very grateful and proud of our police force here. I hear from people all over the world who come here about how surprised they are that our police are friendly and helpful.
Hi, Matthew, I speak as a retired London Metropolitan Police Inspector. Rigid handcuffs maintain hands in a fixed position (roughly 10" apart) whereas the other variety allow the person wearing them greater flexibility. Firearms officers in the UK have to apply to become firearms officers, be vetted, maintain a good standard of physical fitness, and be regularly re-tested. There is no system whereby one gets a firearm after x number of years service. Walking around in the UK and talking to people is the best way for officers to obtain information on a wide range of topics; from crime, people who need help and/or environmental issues. The overwhelming majority of UK police officers regard themselves as being part of the community they serve. As you suggest, it would be impossible to transpose the UK system of policing to the US for a whole host of reasons, most of which you have covered. It would not be possible for a 'rogue' officer to leave one force in the UK and join another. This is because the vetting system is such that any previous crimes or misdemeanors would be immediately picked up. Now to policing in the US. I would like to pose some questions that you may find useful should you wish to further your research. 1. Are there too many independent police forces in the US? Would policing in the US work better if it were reorganized on a State basis; each state being the police authority for the entire state and liaison with Federal law enforcement agencies? 2. Is there a national code of conduct for policing in the US that all citizens are, or can become well acquainted with so that they can know the standard of behaviour they should be able to expect when dealing with the police? 3. Apart from specific state legislation, is there a national standard of police training in the US; if not, why not? 4. How are complaints against police investigated in the US; who carries out the investigation, and what right(s) do complainants have to attend discipline hearings? Good luck.
Hi James. US police here. To answer your questions: *Note: This is how most departments in the US conduct business, but some may vary depending on circumstances such as budget, man power, etc. 1.) Due to the size of the US, police are broken up into "divisions" which enforce different things. There are state police, sheriff's offices for each county, and within the counties, their are numerous municipalities with their own departments. Bringing everybody under one umbrella would be counterproductive as there would be too many officers to oversee spread across a large area. 2/3.) "Codes of conduct" usually fall in line with the Constitution of the US and then each state designated law enforcement agency usually mandates the use of force, required training, etc., for all the departments in the state to follow. Individual agencies will then create their policies that fall in line with all the previous mentioned. Failure to comply with state law enforcement requirements could result in losing their accreditation and funding, grants, etc. Just about every law enforcement agency across the US complies. 4.) Benign complaints (officer was rude, officer was speeding, officer "didn't do his job, etc.) usually get routed to the officer's supervisor. When force is used, certain detailed forms are filled out and pictures are taken and then forwarded to Internal Affairs for review. State law enforcement agencies have been investigating police involved shooting as of late due to transparency complaints. Accusations of of wrong doing, law breaking, excessive force, etc. go straight to Internal Affairs or Public Corruption units. Some departments have citizen review boards, "social justice task forces", and other nonsensical groups who are more of a biased critic rather than a group of people trying to correct a perceived deficiency. In regards to your other statements; to be hired in the US has a policeman in the US, you will undergo a polygraph test, a thorough background investigation, a review of your driving history, a psychological exam, a fitness exam, and an interview. If hired, you will go to a 5-6 month academy where you will learn shooting pistols, shot guns, and ARs. You'll learn weapon maintenance, crime scene processing, Constitutional law, state law, first aide, use of force, tasers, batons, traffic stops, narcotics, substance addiction issues, self defense, de escalation tactics, case law, interviews/interrogations, court room procedures, driving (as it relates to pursuits, evasive techniques, etc.), accident investigations, mental health issues, report writing, OC spray, and other things. While in the academy, you are usually tested weekly. You also have several physical tests which include runs, obstacle courses, and usually some form of boxing. In the end, the academy culminates with a series of scenarios each cadet must pass in addition to an extensive written exam to graduate from the academy itself. If this is passed, then the cadet will take the state exam. Cadets are on probation during all this and can be, and often are, terminated on the spot for failing to succeed in any of these requirements. If the cadet passes all the tests required, then they usually go to a month long orientation at their department where they learn department policies and SOPs. Then it's off to a 3 month FTO/FTD training program where they are shadowed and observed by an experienced officer (in most cases). Every thing is documented and graded. FTD/FTO can be extended if the new officer fails to meet standards or they can be terminated. After successful completion of this, then they move on to a 9 month probationary period where they receive evaluations every 3 months ( compared to other officers who receive them annually). From the end of that probationary period and that point forward, all cops must attend mandatory retraining, pistol and rifle qualifications, racial bias training, CPR and first aide, criminal investigations, self defense tactics, etc. The departments in the area and the local colleges also offer classes which officers regularly sign up for. Training is constant and continuous for the officer's entire career. If they fail to attend, then they can lose their certification. That being said, the narrator of this video knows a fraction of what is going on with US policing and, like most people here in the US (and I'd imagine the UK as well), he only knows a fraction of the incidents that take place across the US and somehow make the news. The police here in the US are properly trained, however they are becoming a product of the environments they are policing. The problems in the US revolving around police are not due to police being "bullies" or "trigger happy donut eaters". The problem always has started with the society itself, hence the need for policing.
James Whitfield I have lived in the USA and New Zealand. And I find police in New Zealand to be much more professional than in the USA. New Zealand has one national police force serving the entire country. Let me answer your questions addressed to Matthew. 1. Every state already has a state police force that is the main police force on the American motorway system and in rural areas. The state police operates the most sophisticated forensic labs outside of the FBI, and is accustomed to liaising with the FBI. Every city and town with a population that exceeds, say, 2500, has its own police force. Hence the ease with which one officer can dodge a bad rep by moving to another jurisdiction in another state. I would support expanding the remit of the state police to cover all policing within a state. 2. No national code exists. Individual cities may have codes. But it is not clear what happens when the code is breached. 3. There are codes of recommended best practice for training. But all large cities conduct their own training. 4. The first round of investigation is conducted by one's colleagues on the force. Best practice requires the supervision of a civilian review board, but how well that works in practice remains to be seen. I have never heard of a complainant having a right to be present at discipline hearings anywhere in the USA. 5. The strongest union in the American economy is the union for police officers. A major role of this union is protecting officers charged with bad behaviour. The union makes sure that police officers in large and violent cities are very well paid, and can retire comfortably in their 50s. The retirement benefits enjoyed by many USA police are far more generous than those enjoyed by any other blue collar profession.
I'm a retired NYPD Captain. Your ideas are quite good, but only some are realistic. Policing in the USA is a STATE issue, not a federal one. The laws in each state vary; therefore, there really can't be a national code for Police, per se. 1. Each state does have a state police force, but within each state are perhaps hundreds of smaller departments, each of which serves a unique community, with diverse needs. 2. & 3.The laws and police policies in each state vary, sometimes significantly; therefore, there really can't be a national code for Police, per se. 4. Most complaints vs. Police are investigated by that very same department - for relatively minor offenses. That does raise the specter of simply covering up. However, any serious complaint, i.e. criminal, would be investigated by the local District Attorney having appropriate jurisdiction. One additional point I'd like to make is that almost any agency hiring a new officer performs a through background check. This includes a criminal history, a mental health history, military records, if any, past employers, and credit history.
I am a member of the British public, and should like to compliment you gentlemen men in your courteous interactions, this prove the truths of our respective police services that if you need help ask a policeman.
Watching police officers in the US on the news has actually terrified me. As a child, we are taught if you get lost go ask a police officer. They are meant to keep us safe, and seeing a police officer purposefully causing pain to people instead of just defending themselves has been SO upsetting. I am not saying UK police are perfect, but their entire purpose is to serve the community. We desperately need to fund them MORE. Over the past decade they have lost funding and cut forces. The reason you see them more on the street is because the ethos is that police officers should be out and about forging a relationship with the community. Its when a disconnect between the police and their community develops that things seem to get bad. Lovely video, thankyou. Much love and strength to everyone in the US right now.
I understand why our American cops are armed since they deal w/ more dangerous criminals. But what bothers me is their overmilitarization of their forces and a more aggressive soldier-like mentality. The US has become an Orwelian police state over they years. And u can even get imprisoned for minor drug offenses here. The prisons and jails are full of 'em, and that's what also wrong w/ our court system. Prison is profit.
You're thoughtful and you have some good insights but you've missed this biggest and simplest difference: The US has a Police FORCE and the Uk has a Police SERVICE. You could say it's a pedantic, semantic difference, or you could say it's absolutely at the crux of ALL the differences. In the UK we are "Policed by consent" and that is a pretty big idea.
Sorry the biggest mistake was renaming it a police service. They are there to enforce the law in a human manner, without regard to race or religion. Calling it a service makes it sound like a service , but it isn't .it is compulsory for all
@@markhirschmann9967 its a service because it serves the crown and parliament.....and yes the people....because thats why the state exists to serve the people, officers do this often my controling and policing the public but they are still a public service. And police by consent is a incredible part of our policing culture....although it is unfortunate that sometimes Americans and other foreign people misinterpret police by consent to mean officers have to listen the the subject they are interacting with....when as I'm sure you know it refers to the police only having there power along as the people will it and not being forced on the people by the crown
@@lewisallan9963 Copper of 26 years here. I joined a Constabulary, it chance to a service. We always have had to Police by consent, when you are on your own struggling with someone on the floor and it turns into a real breawl. I can tell you by the number of times I have had many good people jump in at their risk to help me. The Police only do so by consent of the public, anything ales would not be true. And we swear alligence to the Queen, her heirs and successors, just like the Armed Forces. Not Parliament, not the government.
Something that you haven't mentioned is the fitness test. In the UK, every street officer, has to pass an annual fitness test. This is not just a check up at the Doctors, this is a physical test, involving speed and endurance. I don't know about the states, but some pictures of USA cops I have seen would indicate that they would have trouble running ten yards.
@@bryanbradley6871 Good. Their job isn't to "fight" people, it's to de-escalate situations and restrain people if they become difficult and uncooperative.
@@chocothebananacat7686 The police do more than just that. They also arrest people and put people in jail, they also risk their lives to stop killers and more
The old fashioned German word for police officer is "Schutzmann" (protection man). He protects people from being stolen or getting the victim of other crimes. If you need help, he protects you. That's the same idea as in the UK.
there is a very good reason why in the UK "service" In both states, the law was enforced by "red coats" known for brutality and cruelty (which was one of the reasons for the American Revolution) In the UK they modernized the service, but in America they just changed the name
I remember walking home from the pub (stag party) in the UK after a LOT of drinks (I was slaughtered lol). I must have sat on a bench and then fallen asleep. I woke up to a policeman nudging my shoulder and asking if I was OK. I said I was fine and that I may have had a little to much to drink. He asked where I lived. I told him and he said he was going that way, so he'd give me a lift home. We had a great chat on the way. Very nice bloke :) We also had a policeman cycle past our house every Sunday and we chatted with him as kids. He even joined in our game of hide-and-seek on a few occasions. I would never hesitate from asking any policeman for help and that is what I have told my daughters.
RE: British UK Police Training. Forgive me but what you’ve said is wrong. The training is 3 years and is virtually identical across all forces. The 2-year probationary period is also training which consists of a full variety of both field and classroom training, including numerous exams, assessments and appraisals, both written, oral and practical. Probationers are not fully qualified Police Offices. They’re significantly limited in what powers they have and what they can do in the field. E.G. For the entire 2-year period, probationers are not issued with or allowed to use a Taser. They’re not trained in riot control and are not allowed to be involved in policing riots. They’re also not allowed to drive emergency police vehicles or take part in any emergency high speed driving. If at any point in the 2-year probationary period, probationers do not meet the necessary assessment or examination standards they can be terminated from the Force. Many probationary officers do not make it through probation. This 2-year probationary period includes training in all the different areas of policing. Including observational training, in specialised areas such as, criminal Investigation (Detective), aerial units (helicopters and planes), dog units, firearms units, etc. By the time the probationary period is complete the now fully qualified officer has solid knowledge in general policing. Along with knowledge in how to effectively support and work alongside all the various specialist units. When the full 2-3 year training is complete. The now qualified Officer can choose to remain in general community policing. In which case they then complete standard police driver, riot and taser training, etc. However, they may now instead choose to apply to a specialist unit, including firearms units. If they are accepted, they then begin the specialist training courses required for that specialist unit. If they complete the training successfully, they become a member of that specialist unit. If not they return to general community policing. In conclusion, British Police training, along with Police training in pretty much every other first world country is much longer, more substantive and much higher quality than American Police training. It’s scary just how short and poor American Police training is in comparison and it’s a major reason why America has such poor-quality Police.
Andy, UK police officers are able to drive once they have left training college, they are also able to attend public order incidents, during probation they can also move into a specialist role. Many trainee officers can be placed into specialist roles, during training they spend much of their time in public protection roles such as domestic violence sections.
aptitude assessment is and should be the main criteria for selecting people to police training. It is 50% of the entrance exam for Police University College in Finland.
Hi Matthew. Having been to the US a lot I have had a number of interactions with Law Enforcement. I have found it almost shocking the level of aggression that you face. It is almost that in the US the police come across as seeing every interaction as a threat and react by trying to dominate you. I have been shouted at just by approaching a cop to ask a question. In the UK the police are generally polite and mostly reasonable. The police don't automatically see a threat and treat people accordingly. The aim is to diffuse and engage rather than to dominate. I love visiting the USA but the policing is scary.
They recruit military vets, so they have totally the wrong mindset. They are trained to kill and feel they are at war most if the time. Also, there are far too many officer and Psychological testing and training need higher priority. The system is a mess.
@@ladyjane8855 I was in the UK military. The UK also recruit ex services into the police. I would suggest that the differences in the police forces are similar to that in the way that the military of the two countries operate. The British military are generally very well trained and operate with limited resources meaning a degree of measure and competence are required. The US military is about overwhelming power and might and swagger. There is a different mindset from the outset. To me, it almost seems like every US cop looks like they think they are in a movie and they are acting a part.
@@philiptucker5075 The British army guys running the Covid test centre near us were the politest and friendliest bunch you could meet - i was very impressed - i think they see their role as servants to the citizens of the country
To be fair, traffic stops can be incredibly dangerous for an officer in the US and that will have a knock on affect to how they perceive interations. It is entirely possible that the person they stop is armed and willing to use that weapon against the officer.
Lady Jane nah actually some military vets that go into the police are quiet good - coupled with police training their ability to assess situations is very good which helps with knowing what way to go about it. However you’re right, there are some military vets do come in and sorta pull in the wrong mindset
I've got nothing but good things to say about the UK police, when I was pregnant I was stood at a bus-stop next to an old lady, it was pissing it down. A police car pulled up and asked us if we wanted a lift into town - so we both got in and he dropped us off in town :)
@@ethelmini Umm it's not breaking the law ,UK police are kind and go out of the way to make their citizens not afraid of them ,I think they know the laws for their selves !
In America anyone could have a gun.. so the officer is armed. There are so many times in normal situations that turn bad if a cop wasn't armed they would be dead but the UK officer would be dead
Well, criminals in America are also more brazen and even armed w/ guns, which is why LE here also carry guns. But they do get carried away being armed w/ military grade firearms, such as AR-15 rifles. It used to be when a patrol car carried a shotgun. But that all changed when active shooter incidents take place. Now, each patrol car has an AR instead. Again, it's a difference in culture. In America, the gun rules. In the UK, the edged weapon rules.
I think it's crazy that American cops, can literally be fired from one police force, then get rehired by another police force. There's no accountability as far as them losing their job's is concerned. The only thing they have to worry about really, is the fact that if their misconduct is serious enough for them to be jailed, then that's all they fear really. No cop want's to be jailed obviously, but very few cops ever end up incarcerated. As the police and justice system, protects their own. It's frightening the amount of crooked U.S. cops that are actually out there. You only have to look on RU-vid at the 1st Amendment Auditors, where cops fail to uphold the law, and their sworn oath, to uphold The Constitution of The United States of America. Policing in America, could benefit from a thorough overhaul, of it's rules and regulations. Will it ever happen?. I seriously doubt it in all honesty.
Not always. If their incident becomes national publicity, there is less chance of them being rehired by another police agency for fear of embarrassment and greater liability.
Thank you for a whole channel of considered and intelligent comparison between the US and the UK, it has been consistently high standard of non judgemental and thoughtful input.
I've lived in UK all my life ( 3 score &10) Few years back on way home from a holiday I was pulled up when I cut a police car off on a busy roundabout in a town I was not familiar with. He got out approached my vehicle explained what I'd done wrong (wrong lane) &said he'd only stopped me because other drivers saw what happened and he didn't want them to think it was acceptable. We then had a chat about my hols, a bit of a joke then went our separate ways. A pleasant enough experience and I've been that same route several times since but always get the right lane now. Aggression ain't necessary.
Pretty much the same for me. I was admittedly going a tad fast because I was late for work by over an hour and I admitted to them that yes I was pushing it (but not overly so it was 40mph in a 30 through a roundabout) and they pulled me over. Their main concern was that my car could spin through a roundabout at that speed when the road was wet, it was a very friendly conversation. They also breathalysed me because it was 5am and I blew 27 out of a legal of 35 and they decided to let me go even after and I quote "We dont know if you've just started drinking or coming down from it, we could pull you over in 5 mins time and you could potentially blow over the limit, but you seem alert so we'll let you go"
I was in my local A&E a couple of weeks ago, when two officers brought in a man who was very violent and bleeding, he was kicking off and creating hell, they handcuffed him to the wheelchair, but amazingly they talked to him all the time and kept very calm, of course with social distancing we were all spaced 2 metres apart but just watching them was a real eye opener as over a period of 10 minutes the violent lad was calm and stopped his threats, started to call the officers sir, they released his handcuffs and they then proceeded to have conversations on Convid 19, the two local football teams and getting a delivery of a curry. Amazing but brilliantly done.
@@alisonsmith4801 ok THIS is something that makes me proud to be British. Some things in our culture are just so... right. And for the record, I'm NOT worried about this being threatened by immigrants ...
The escalation feeds their self importance and intimidates the person under scrutiny and also reinforces the potential fear factor in any observers. How many vids are there where just one guy has a camera and police cars come from everywhere?
@r_ elentless01 That is a pretty uninformed statement, absolute bullsht to be honest, this country was built on immigration. Of course we still have closet racists and 'victims' of progression like yourself
Some years ago I was in Houston looking for a music store not far from my hotel. I was surprised to see a policeman on foot and I asked him for directions. He was very pleasant and we chatted for a while swapping stories ( I was in a UK police service briefly in the ‘70s). Nice guy, but when I asked him where the store was he didn’t know, ”because it’s across the street.” It was two blocks away and I found this extremely parochial knowledge very strange. Nice chap all the same!
Years ago I saw a programme where some UK cops went out to the US and worked with US cops. One thing that has always stuck in my mind was a known homeless drunk that the US cops always had trouble with and would have to arrest him as he would never move. The UK officer took charge and dealt with it and within a few minutes he had the man move on because he was not confrontational and had not been barking orders at him. I think one of the reasons you do not see as many people pulled over is the UK police do not make money from it like the US do.
You mentioned that Taser is standard issue for Constables in the UK, but that's not correct. No Police Service in the UK issues them as standard. You need to take a one week course (with an annual one day refresher course) to get a Taser, and you also need to be outside of the two year probation period.
Very interesting and insightful. On both trips (so far) to Great Britain, I found the police to be friendly and helpful. I felt comfortable approaching police officers, and entering a police station, to ask questions. They gave good answers, and were very cordial. On the other hand, police officers I have encountered at times seem to default to an aggressive posture when dealing with civilians. I was once accused of loitering inside a railroad station when I had just gotten off a train, and had an officer on security duty at a courthouse take a rude tone with me for the “crime” of showing him my juror credentials to justify bringing a cell phone. The rudeness/aggressiveness in my view is broadly an American problem, which should be addressed during police officer selection and training.
Once I was walking home from my late shift in London at about 2am, and a black south African guy approached, and asked me to help him with his heavy luggage. He seemed OK, so I helped him. a police car stopped, and asked us what we were doing, and where we were going. I told them, and they just told us to carry on. The London police in the 1980s had a bad reputation comapared to now, but we did OK. The police in the UK are designed to be a citizen police force, who police by consent.
I've lived in England my whole life and I've only spoken to the police once. To ask where the cinema was whilst I was visiting Birmingham, he was lovely and helpful. I was told as a kid, if you're ever lost just ask a police man/woman and they'll help you.
At the beginning of our England trip I told my 12 y.o. son to take a letter in his purse. On what day will we be in which B&B? If something happens, this letter will help him. Well, he played football in Shrewsbury and lost his purse. When we came back to the B&B and were told to go to the police. His purse had been found. The officer was VERY nice! A mixture of "take better care next time", ""great idea with the letter", "enjoy your stay!", "who's the better in football, English or German".
I have lived in England my whole life and I spoke to the police every day in the last eight years, usually to say “I smell bacon”, but only because it annoyed my daughter. Think the joke wore a bit thin.🤔
Police officers in America are so aggressive for no reason, i was yelled at in Times Square for daring to walk across a busy road while some officer was directing some random car behind me (No danger at all). the female officer marched up to me waving her baton looking like she was MAD and deranged, she told me to GET OFF THE ROAD SIRRR, i was shocked and slightly taken aback, was she on a power trip or just having a bad day., in London this just wouldn't happen, because aggression is not our way of treating people, unless something serious is going on (like a terrorist attack) ., A British officer would have been very polite and would have said could you step aside please, no power trip and no aggression necessary.
In the US they have this slightly barmy law called J-walking a pedestrian is only allowed to cross the road at designated crossing points. This law was promilgated by the motor manufacturers or so I have read.
@@johnmccallum8512 and i was using the pedestrian walkway when she yelled, it wasn't just me, it was about 5 other people crossing, she was definitely one of those Rookie cops on a power trip, she was shouting at everything around her while waving her baton, it's the reason it sticks in my mind, because in the UK, This behavior would be completely out of place, unless of serious danger.
Halloweenville It's not just the cops in the US that behave like that, it's anyone in any kind of uniform. I remember visiting the Empire State Building, and paying my $20 or whatever it was at the time, only to be shouted at and ordered about by the security guards. The way they behaved you would have thought they were prison wardens marshalling a new intake, not employees of a paid for tourist attraction there at the service of the visitors they were shouting at.
Every regional Police Force has an Armed Response Unit, who are called for major incidents like shootings or bank robberies. The big difference is using them. The last thing our Armed Officers want to do is use their firearms. If they do, God help them, because they will face an internal inquiry, a Public Inquiry and possibly a Trial. It could take years. I have a friend who is a Sergeant with +20 years experience and the same experience as a Royal Marine Reserve. I asked him if he had ever considered joining a Firearms Unit and his response was incredible. He said if he ever actually used his firearm, it would effectively ruin his career, and he wasn't that crazy. Says it all.
Good point David. You are right in that if weapons are fired then it's automatic that an inquiry follows. Remember the inquiry into the westminister bridge terrorist that was shot dead with fake suicide vest and the enquiry that followed to check protocols were followed and the only action was to shoot the terrorist dead.
Exactly, armed police officers in the UK are our most highly trained and specialist officers and still the use of the firearm is always the very last thing they want to actually be forced to use. Their training allows them to carry a firearm, not to actually use it.
This is why there is so much uppityness in the US at the moment. The US cop shot someone dead and nobody batted an eye. No investigation, no suspension while they were investigated. It took the town being set on fire to make the authorities do anything, and then it was just to sack the guys, no investigation or anything. It's the lack of accountability I think that has upset people, but I don't think they realise that's the reason.
The amount of paper work for just drawing your firearm in the UK makes it not worth it 99% of the time. In Germany police carry guns, in 2019 German police shot 17 people. The US does have a problem.
Think you'll find that uk homicide is pretty high, and as for knife crime... It doesn't take much skill to stab someone to death and the murder rate in London is testimony to this.
Colin MacDonald The US murder rate is almost five times that of the US per head of population. A US citizen is also FIFTY times more likely to die as a result of a gunshot than a British citizen. Knife crime is broadly similar in both nations, but never gets a mention in the US as it is massively eclipsed by gun crime. The UK remains much, much safer due to the lack of firearms.
@@spencerwilton5831 not only does the US have a massively higher rate of firearm homicides, but last time checked, the _non_ firearm homicide rate in the US was higher than the total UK homicide rate!
I was in New York a few years ago . There was a pop star behind barriers outside a news station doing a little performance and an interview. We were behind a barrier . A policeman came up to us, told us to move on and shoulder barged my 6 foot husband and shouted at my children. I was horrified and almost answered back to him until I remembered his gun. I cannot imagine an English police officer ever treating a tourist in this way. It really put me off travelling in the USA. I won’t be going back again. This is a shame because I enjoyed America a lot but I won’t let the police treat me in this way.
@@mazinwonderland3077 police in America not all but a good amount are barbaric with how they operate and are not afraid to use force on anyone.. they have a license to kill, harass, and brutalize anyone..
You and your husband are absolute idiots if you think that 1 officer represents a vast country of different regions and cultures, and because of your negative interaction with this officer the US isn't worth visiting anymore. Lol. I'm also sure there's more to the story than you and your family just sitting behind a barrier and some cop just randomly walking up to you shouting and shoulder checking your husband. Grow up lady.
Great video as usual. There are a few other items a British police officer will have: a stab vest, a high viability vest, a smart phone, vest camera and a notepad and pen. I am British, so a bit biased towards the British police, but I think the British basic training after recruitment is of a higher quality. I think our selection process is very rigorous and filters out a lot of people who would not be suitable to be a police officer. In addition, once an officer in the UK has finished their basic training and probationary period, they would have to go through additional, very intense training to take on a specific role. You already mentioned the fire arms training, but there is also intense training to drive a high powered vehicle and engage in high speed pursuits.
I've had 2 UK policemen as friends, they are both retired now, and I'm proud to say their character was exemplary! Intelligent, sensible and caring, if American police were like them the country would a better place!
That was the past.... It seems the quality of policing has certainly deteriorated, although in fairness the Police 'Service' is still a godsend compared to the fuzz across the pond.
I really appreciate how much effort you put into not making simplistic comparisons, but try to take into account cultural differences. I wish more people could do that. The world would be a better place.
I've got to put in a good word for Aussie police. A friend of mine got talking to some Aussies; stayed and got drunk; forgot where he was staying; flagged down a police car and they picked him up; found out where he was staying and brought him back to the Youth Hostel we were staying in. Top Drawer!
A Sudanese bloke living in Australia who was going out with a member of my family was waiting at a bus stop on Christmas Day when he was picked up by a passing police van and driven to our house for the family Christmas meal. As you say, top drawer.
While walking home wasted from a kebab shop at 3am after a night out in Sheffield my friend and I were stopped by two English policemen who got out of their car to ask what was in the polystyrene boxes we were carrying. They then proceeded to nab 5 pence worth of kebab meat out of our takeaways. My mate asked for a lift home in exchange so we rode home in the back of a police car instead of walking. I doubt US police would have been as cheeky in that kind of way but then we wouldn’t have got a lift home so swings and roundabouts?
@MrGogania well almost all police forces police by consent, here in Portugal its the same..Thing is why should cops be as armed as a civilian with a stick and radio? Here in Portugal all our cops are armed amd we have way less shootings than the UK. Sames as Spain, Germany, Italy etc. I mean 95% of the world has 100% armed police and no one thinks about disarming them while in uk there is constant debate about arming all cops. Here a cop is ready to face any threat, if he sees himselve surrended by knife atacks a simple warning shot to the sky is enough to make all atackers surrender. Thats why no country has "knife problem" such has the uk. The uk has it because criminals dont fear cops, and why should they? Cops will at worst tase them... British police are too soft and criminals are starting to notice that. An armed criminal can litterally make whole police squad surrender because they have no guns.. A cop should be ready to take down any threat in 5 sends and not having to wait 5 to 10 minutes for armed cops.. in the london bridge atack a cop with a baton tried to stop an armed suspect and ended up injuried and many people were killed. If he had a gun he could have saved many lives and not get injuried. Most cops here in Portugal and even europe never fire a single shot in their whole career.. but they have it as a last resort. Here in Portugal we had like 1 guy shot by the police in 8 years and like i said all our cops have guns. Im not saying that cops should have guns so that they would use them more often, but in some situations its necessary..how many cops get killed by knife atacks? If a taser fails (which there is a 30% chance too) what use is a baton against machete or even a knife? Isnt the innocent officer's life as, if not more, important than the criminal?
@@dedeferreira98 please don't say any more, you really are making a fool of yourself. There is overwhelming evidence that the 19 countries where the police do not carry firearms are safer "These countries exhibit gun-homicide rates markedly lower on average than countries with armed police forces." .... Look it up before making statements you have no knowledge of ...
Not sure if someone has covered this, but from an ex-officer in the UK the handcuffs we used were Hiatt 'speedcuffs', which have a rigid connection between them. It means you can grip the middle and easily cuff someone with one hand without fumbling with the edge of the cuff as you would with chain-linked ones. Also once you have someone in cuffs (or a single cuff for that matter) there are some pain compliance techniques you can use (if proportionate or necessary) that wouldn't be possible with the floppy chain ones, and it allows you to grip onto them as you're moving a prisoner. They're far easier to use, I'm surprised US cops haven't fully adopted them yet.
I also believe the advantage of the rigid cuffs is when someone is cuffed from behind it makes it almost impossible for the prisoner to be able to manoeuvre there cuffed hands under there legs to get there hands in front, which potentially could put a police office in the front seat of a car at risk of being attacked from behind
Don't quite know if all brits view police this way, well I know its changed recently but before all this went down, most people I know expect policeman to be helpful, their duty is to essentially help us, so unlike someone in the public who could just ignore you or be a bit rude, the police are expected by the british public to be polite and helpful and know their area, so as long as it looks like they're not doing anything important I'd always ask a police for directions rather than someone else. If your hurt their also expected to help in any way possible, so it did shock me when I saw cops push that old man over then leave him there and have some other cops do it. Their job isn;t just to protect or arrest us, its also to help us. In the UK, the police closest to the man would be expected to stop what they were doing and help, especially the person that pushed them.
I am REALLY hoping that law enforcement evolves here in the US to be more this way. I think there is hope given the recent call for reform. But we have a LOOOOOONG way to go!
@@MagentaOtterTravels Keep protesting until you get what you want. Also focus on the main issues, such as: 1. De-funding the police 2. De-militarisation 3. Banning private prisons and prison labour. 4. Police funding mayoral elections etc. 5. Abolishing civil forfeiture 6. Abolish 'qualified immunity'. The rest will follow!😁
@@lolazal1 I'm from the UK .. I've never seen any thing to do with items 3 to 5 .. tell me more ,,as its all a closed world in little pockets ... on a side note the UK police on the whole are great
Regarding the gun issue in the U.K. not only do they have to be experienced officers but once they have passed their training to carry a gun they have a mandatory refreshed course ( I think 1 day a month) to maintain their qualification to carry arms. I did hear of an anecdotal story of British policeman for some reason seconded for US training ( for comparisons?) and during their traffic section the US trainer was saying how much he would learn after the first test drive the trainer re evaluated his opinion with the comment that there was not much to teach the U.K. policeman. But as you say different countries different solutions.
If you get stopped for a traffic offence it’ll almost always be by a traffic officer, they too are specialist officers who receive additional training, including how to drive safely at speed, how to stop vehicles safely, etc.
Police officers in Northern Ireland which is part of the UK are issued handguns. If you belong to a gun club in Northern Ireland you can get a licence for a handgun.
uk police officers are mostly friendly. when i walk through portsmouth to school they usually say hi, and i remember one time there was a police chase in my village so we asked what was going on and she explained everything and said she’d keep us updated.
In the UK I once got...well, not pulled over, I mean, four police cars came out of nowhere, blocked me in front, behind and at the side and ordered my passengers out. It was alarming but I wasn't scared for my life. They spread eagled my passengers on my car, searched them, the whole nine yards. Then one of them got a call on the radio, they explained that my car was identical to one that four people had used to rob a bank, apologised for the inconvenience and sped off. An interesting day lol I daren't think what that would have felt like in the US. I lived there for 7 years and was very wary of them. One time i was on the freeway and a cop car had it's lights flashing behind me. My heart rate shot up until they'd passed me and were in the distance. The UK coppers are not perfect, and I suspect non-white people might have an even dimmer view, but I'd take them over US cops any day!
Many years ago I was walking through a park early in the morning, Suddenly I'm lit by torches from a half dozen police. Then a voice from the dark said, "It's not him lads, he's got his clothes on" And off I scuttled, wondering if they caught the flasher.
You were TPAC’d - specially trained officers who use Tactical Pursuit and Containment. It’s fabulous to watch on TV. You should watch Traffic Cops or Police Interceptors. Brilliant. I love our U.K. police. A Police Service not a Police Force.
It’s a shame that Americans are trained to be afraid of police. All UK police officers I’ve met are really friendly and I wouldn’t think twice about going to ask one for help to directions or just say good morning sir when I go past
A thing I think is key is basic regulations in the UK like vehicle MOTs. My understanding is these don’t exist in the US so a lot of cops there spend their time pulling over vehicles for having faults eg no lights. This simply leads to having more, often negative, interactions with the police. Also with the recent George Floyd killing, the police here (UK) wouldn’t be called out to the use of a suspected fake bank note. It would not be an emergency and it certainly would not have 4 officers responding to it. Some of this is due to funding/resources, and some of this is because it would not be viewed as a serious enough crime.
@louise kelly, you make very good points. However, I wanted to set one thing straight. We in the US do have regulations similar to MOT's. These vary by state, but here in Texas all cars must go through a thorough "safety inspection" once a year . If you don't have that kept up to date, you can get a ticket. When I named my channel Magenta Otter Travels, it was a bit of an inside joke because by channel name is abbreviated MOT. I thought it was appropriate because I do videos about Britain. But my American friends don't get the joke ;-)
@@gemmarobinson4185 They did know that he was suspected of committing a criminal offence which does warrant an arrest and an investigation so that's probably why the police responded...
Louise Kelly As I understant it, the shop owner did not call the police because of the bank note. They called the police because he was acting erratically in and outside the shop. When he attemped to get into his car they alerted the police. It is possible that the meth amphetamine was responsible for his demeaner. They probably would have run the plates on the car and accessed his extensive criminal record. In addition, both Mr Floyd and the police officer knew one another as they had both worked as bouncers in the same club.
ann miller and as I understand it the store has spoken about it, in that state it’s a legal requirement the store call the police for a fake note. A new employee was working and followed protocol. They said had the store manager been there they wouldn’t have called the police as they are a minority themselves and know what that can lead to. They are aware the risk they are in if they don’t call the police.
Hi Matthew, As a Police officer for 30 years, I started my career with with a truncheon ( a wooden baton about 12 inches in length) and a set of handcuffs the type with the chain in the middle, when I finsihed my career it finished with an ASP baton CS spray ridgid handcuffs and body armour etc. Society had changed that much in that time the change was important. The difference between the cuffs is the type with the chain in the middle was just for restraint, the rigid cuffs allow techniques for controlling the suspect (taking to ground and making them compliant) - Good video
Travelling home from work one night, about 3 am, having started at 1 pm, I was pulled over by a police car. “Do you know what speed you were doing through the 30 mph zone?” “No, but I guess I was a bit over?” “You were doing close to 70.” “I’m so sorry, it’s been along day at work.” It was close to Christmas. “We’ve just had to deal with a fatal accident nearby, and don’t want to have another. Even if the road is clear at this time of the morning, could you be a bit more careful?Have a good morning.” In the UK, going that much over the speed limit is an automatic ban, these guys were awesome 👏
I live in the UK and I've never in my life been pulled over. UK police are on foot and only ever interacted with them when they offered to help me or I just casually chatted with the friendly officers 😊
The difference in the UK and the USA. Just like our healthcare (NHS ) our police has room to improve but on the whole we like , and appreciate both And world not want to change with the USA
An American friend of mine posted a list of US states that required less than 800 hours of training to become a police officer, one was below 400 hours. In the UK if you want to join the police. You become a student officer for 2 years, with is around 4000 hours. That’s not included the 3 A level qualifications/ 3 year apprenticeship. And to issues a firearm. Takes years of experience being a police officer, with an outstanding record.
The UK Police have different driving levels ranging from basic to response level to Advanced Pursuit and Tactical Levels. I think there are four levels or classes and only those who are highly trained and who have passed all the courses are given high powered pursuit cars.The training as in firearms is fairly rigorous. As for general training the UK police generally want modern officers to either have a relevant degree or to study towards a degree in policing, as well as on the job-training.
A lot of the attitude in UK policing seems to be based around safety. So while they obviously focus on law enforcement as a primary function, they also have a focus to assist people who might be vulnerable, which can mean being the first on scene on an emergency, but also can mean simply helping someone out who looks lost. Proactively assisting people in that manner builds trust and rapport with the community, and can also help to prevent someone coming to grief later on. It's much more effective than just waiting for something to happen. And it's always nice to be nice.
I'm not sure if it's already been mentioned by anyone else yet. But the UK police service has a an independent complaints body, the IOPC, who deal with serious complaints and investigate abuse of power. They are a public body and answer to a branch of government in England and Wales. There's a different but similar system in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The fact that we have this accountability in the UK means police officers are less likely to get away with abusing their position.
Thank you so much for this. I'm a Brit. And although I argue that you cannot equate Brit police with US police, I haven't had the energy to do the research. My father-in-law is an ex village policeman and that is the kind of bobby who used to be there to help more than hurt. The Metropolitan (London) police were vicious with protestors in the 80s and people of colour were badly targetted but the UK has actively tried to improve policing since then. And I think it's mostly worked - I'm not afraid of our police. I think I've only subscribed to one channel but I will subscribe to yours. Fact-based info is always welcome.
Yes nickie when i was a kid back in the late 60 a group of us use to go cycling in the yorkshire dales at the weekends you know the thing find a farmer camp in his field a bit of cash changes hands or a bit of labour . We always got told if you cant find anywhere to stop go to the local police station they will help you . I know my brother and his friend spent the night in a cell dont think that would be allowed these days
You train for 4 years to be a carpenter,plumber,bricklayer and electrician in the UK. The fact you can become a police officer in less time is absolutely amazing.
MANU-Mowgli Only that in the video he says that between certain dates no police officers were killed on duty in the UK my comment was merely to show that in reality that’s not the case.
Very good and informative video. This is why I get irritated seeing our UK police put up with all the riots and protests etc. They have nothing to do with the police brutality in the US
The UK police also have a serious issues amongst minorities with excessive force or aggressive policing practices. That's why there is also protest in the UK
I’ve attended a lot of demonstrations due to my job, UK police seem to have a blind spot when it comes to protesters, particularly the Metropolitan Police in London. Officers who are usually chilled out tend to get overly aggressive, I’ve witnessed it many times. Also, SOME of our police officers do have issues when it comes to BAME communities, I’ve witnessed that first hand too. But despite that, I’d much rather have the UK police than the US police.
Snapper Everywhere is going to have their good eggs and bad eggs but the Police in the UK aren’t given anywhere near as much authority. Plus as many people have said here in the UK we aren’t afraid of our Police we respect them so they don’t really tend to over assert their dominance and power of position like some US cops do. But I do agree with you.
@P M B Really I have personally witnessed a targeted stop of a black person. My friend (PoC) was out having drinks with myself and friends. Afterwards, as he lives not to far from me, asked if he could walk home with me. I agreed. on the way home we were stopped by two officers. one officer approached me, was polite and curtious and never over stepped his authority. The other officer approached my friend automatically demanded ID, started a pat down of him. I never received that treatment and he only stopped when I challenged him and threatened to record the interaction. At which point both officer immediately left with identifying themselves or even why they stopped us.
@P M B I'm T total. Haven't drank in years. Just because I was out with friends drinking doesn't mean I was drinking alcohol. If he did fit a description of someone they never said so at all. Also, basing the stop simply on the fact he's black and so was possibly the suspect is classed as racial profiling and is against police policy to base a stop solely on that purpose. Like you said we've had different experiences with the police and until i see it with my own eyes i will treat all interaction with any public official with suspicion
I'm from the UK, it saddens me our police are tied up and gagged by the crown prosecution service every day but I am still greatfull and would rather live with them than without them
@@heliotropezzz333 it's ironic that I might have replied but we need our police so we can walk down the street in safety. After what I've witnessed on the internet yes I have to take that comment back theý have acted like they belong to 1940's Germany. What really worries me as we are all living in an age of darkness is these guys www.wired.co.uk/article/inside-the-77th-brigade-britains-information-warfare-military we are being set up to hate they police for not arresting the real criminals but they have to get a warrant from a judge to investigate real criminals and the judge and crown prosecution service are usually in cahoots at protecting them. If I said to a British policeman I don't want the untested vaccine it's in the Nuremberg Code it is a War crime to experiment on people without their consent there might be a very slim chance it might prick their conscience. Our Police are being set up to be the scapegoats for the system, our military men at the top have always wanted marshal law. If they can break our police force they will! Once the military is on the streets your covid jab will no longer be an option. Can you remember the news just before the David Icke protest in London? A Kiwi police officer in London was shot dead in cold blood in his own police station. The ' special police' that brought the suspect in knew he was a terror threat but didn't bother searching him before they put the cuffs on him. That's when out police clamped down at a peacefull protest. Personally I think they are nothing more than sitting ducks. They have been compromised and so have we. I was inebriated on making my original comment and grammar was never a strong point of mine *respect
Many years ago, as a young Brit on a visit to New York City, I approached a police officer who was standing on a street corner to ask for information. As soon as he caught sight of me moving towards him his hand went to his gun.
You also forgot one other place you see UK police regularly: On horseback. It's far easier to patrol certain urban areas and larger events on horseback with a better view. The horse is also a deterrent and on the whole, you find the UK mounted police employ far larger horses than some of the US mounts. At big sporting events, parades and such, there's always at least a few mounted police present. At least I've seen them more than on bicycles. I've seen more paramedics on bikes than police
Oh yes, I love it when I see them! Only happened once but they let me pet it, we had a lovely chat and adviced me to give him something sweet, they love sweets apparently. And taught me how to make that sound that makes them come to you! Both horses and their humans were so lovely!
Bollocks, they are pigs, have you not been watching the news and how the pigs have been attacking innocent people on the streets, assaulting them, falsely arresting and fraudulently handing out illegal fines? I wouldn't piss on our 'bobbies' if they were on fire. This isn't the 1970s anymore, these are corporate soldiers of fortune pretending to look out for you, they protect the elites and pretend to uphold law.
@@ynotnilknarf39 there are them kind of interactions, I agree. I've had good and bad interactions but I never felt I couldn't approach them in trouble, or dial 999 in an emergency. I had a terrible service from the West Midlands police in the 90's, home invasion and robbed at machete point by a local gang. The police said if we prosecute them they will come and get you, so don't bother and didn't record it. a month later the guy stole a women's car and went on a joy ride.
What a shame this has less than 150k views when in reality this provides such an important overview of the differences in policing: culture, training, attitude toward the constituency they serve, etc. It's so mind boggling, yet so overlooked.
@@koukouland well it is. All european cops are armed except the UK. Like..they are litterally mall security. We often joke arouns like "things can get bad but at least we arent patrolling with a baton and radio". Unarmed cops arent even cops.. they are just civilians with radios to call the real cops
@@electroskates2434 swat isnt there in 5 seconds. All it takes is 3 seconds to an offixer to be killed with a knife. In the uj you can litterally start knifing or shooting people and cops will run away and radio call the real cops with guns. Uk police is just mall security
Aside from asking for directions, I have been arrested once, I was about to end my life so by arresting me they saved my life. I wasn't handcuffed, on the way to the station we had a lovely, light hearted chat, I was breathalysed at the station and because I was under the limit, I was released without any charges or cautions. The took me to a cell to use the toilet( after I told them that I have never seen a cell and I was curious to see what they look like), made me coffee, got me in touch with a mental health professional and they gave me a ride back home!!! I am waiting for the lockdown to finish so I can go to the station with flowers to thank them, they were brilliant! Oh and I told them that I have never worn handcuffs so they let me try them on...not comfy! On the other two occasions, they came for the same reason but they just made sure that I am safe, took away the pills I had prepared, tried to support me psychologically and we had a lovely chat! Yes, British police, at least from my personal experience are light years ahead and they are lovely!
You didn't mention elected Sheriffs in the USA which I find a weird idea. We have Sheriffs here in Scotland but they are court officials, similar to a judge and who do not get involved in day to day policing.
Its because britain brought this tradition to america when they colonized but britain doesn't use them anymore because they're not effective. The USA still uses them for some reason
There are sheriffs in the UK they usually uphold court orders and other specialised policing. they also can deputise people and form posses though this is usually only done with private bailiffs etc, and every county has it's own sheriffs just like the US. sheriffs originate from Britain and the us inherited this ancient tradition
Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse things, as the role of Sheriff is different in Scotland and England. The point I was trying to make was about a law enforcement officer in the USA involved in day policing having to be elected. That was what I found weird. I can't think of a similar situation in the UK.
I cannot comment about the US police but can comment on the general friendliness and helpfulness of the UK police. Flew into London Gatwick airport for a business meeting. It was outside the airport but on the other side but I had time so was just planning to walk across to it. Checked on the map and saw which roads to walk along. Got there but found the main road out was dual carriageway with no pavement (sidewalk). Saw a policeman outside the airport doors so walked across to him to ask where the paths ran. He was glad to help. Told me the path was difficult to find but as he was going that way anyway he'd give me a lift around the airport which he did and he pointed out the path for getting back in as we passed it. I'm not saying the UK police are 100% without problems but the vast majority are a true credit to the country. Generally in the UK the police are your helpful friends.
When I rode Route 66 for the first time one of the places we stopped was next to a highway patrol station on Oklahoma and there was a traffic car outside so having worked on UK police vehicles I was curious about it and went for a look. I was not touching the car but was cataloging the visible differences in kit to a UK motorway vehicle when one of the cops saw me. What freaked me out was how he hand his hand on his weapon when he aggressively challenged me. The moment I opened my mouth his attitude changed and we spent a very present 20 minutes talking about his car, but his initial approach was very confrontational in comparison to the average British traffic copper. That said as a motorcycle tourist I've never had any problems with US police and they have been very helpful even when they warned me for speeding.
British police, Degree apprenticeship - you'll join as a police constable and undertake a three-year apprenticeship in professional policing practice. This gives you the chance to earn while you learn. Successfully completing the program will also mean passing your probation and achieving a degree-level qualification too.
@@dedeferreira98 You probably think that the Guards should still go into battle wearing red coats and bear skins. Uniforms have to meet the modern requirements of the job.
@@kevingray3550 Modern requirements? Like having no guns in a world full of terrorist and armed criminals? Oh yes. Uk police is meeting the modern requirements indeed. Maybe in comparison with the rest of Europe's mall secuty but not other police forces.. Only in UK cops dress like this, or are totally unarmed ( Expect for some units with real cops)
@@dedeferreira98 - More Americans are killed each year by their fellow Americans than are killed by terrorist, not counting the Towers in 2011, but that only happened because your government though told it was likely to happen, couldn’t believe that any one would do it.
I'm a former British Policeman, every policeman in the UK has to go through the same training as the course follows the College of Police. I had two years of probation after the 21 weeks in total training. Once you have worked the two years, you can apply to move to another speciality. There's a great deal of training you have to do should you wish to work in the speciality, you have to go on specific courses to qualify for the area you wished to work. To address your question on the handcuffs. When I first joined the police, I was issued with the type of handcuffs you describe in the us, the issue is these can be picked and offer no way to control the person cuffed without touching them. The new style of cuffs are rigid and allow you to control the prisoners by holding them in the centre. The other aspect of the cuffs is that if the prisoner struggles, the cuffs can get tighter, siding control. When I applied to join the Firearms Unit to become an Authorised Firearm Officer (AFO), it took several interviews which included psychological, medical and a fitness test. Once accepted, you go on a preliminary course that lasts 4 weeks. All courses start with a group who also went through the same tests to get just to the "weeding out" process of basic training. You do it the group who start training are then taken through a basic 4 week course. It's during this course people start to disappear during the day when they get called into the Chief Inspector's office. By the end of my course there were two out of a class of 28 left. Once we were told we had passed the initial course where you go through and have to know all aspects of the law, some dealing with the public and the finer parts of why the British Police is not armed. You then embark on an 18 week course on both safe Firearms training. The course teaches you all aspects of most firearms you are likely to come across on the streets, especially the difference between a Firearm and some of the highly realistic toys and Airsoft imitations. You are trained in tactics, the use of force, deescalation techniques and many other areas I am not able to go into. Once you have earned your status as an AFO, you have to pass regular retests and refresher training. If you let your standards slip and fail to meet the required standards you have to go back through aspects if the 18 week course again. If you still fail to meet the standards, then you lose your firearms authorisation. If during the period as a AGO, you start to get health issues and you fail to keep up the required fitness, this can also also result in temporary or permanent suspension from firearms duties all together. You mentioned that a British Police Constables general kit had a Taser, this is not true. There's a similar process for being issued with a Taser that is like the Ago course (just no where near as,thorough). Only 1 in 30 are issued with a Taser. If you have only ever been in Central Londin, you will see a lot of Armed Officers and Taser carrying Officers, move out into the Counties and you will hardly the the latter, let alone the former.
The UK has a Police Service not a Police Force. That difference in language says it all. UK police are not there to 'enforce' against the public. They are there to provide a service to the public.
3 years ago I was in a situation where I had to walk somewhere, to get a part for my vehicle. I lived in a very rural area, so, no sidewalks. It was also a very hot day. I was maybe a couple of miles into my journey when a police officer pulled up alongside me. The said they wanted to make sure I was okay because of the heat, I had a couple of bottles of water on me, so I told them I was fine. Their next words were "Do you have any ID?" I questioned them as to why they wanted my ID. I was told that the officer wanted to make sure they were safe in dealing with me. Wait, what? It's illegal to take a walk now? You have automatically assumed I'm a criminal, because I'm walking? Under the pretense of checking to see if someone is ok, the officer now made it a ID check. Which, by the way is illegal in my state. I'm in the UK now, and a couple of weeks ago I was on my way to my apartment with my groceries, and I walk, because the bus stops about a mile from where I live, and I don't yet own a car. I'm getting older, and I'm hauling 3 large bags. I stop to take a break, as I'm a little winded(it's a long uphill slog) A police officer, two of them in fact, see me and approach me. They ask if I'm okay, and I say yes, just a little tired, and I'll be up and moving in a couple of minutes. THEY OFFERED TO HELP ME CARRY MY GROCERIES!!!! I declined, I was only a few hundred feet from my place. They said ok, told me to be careful and went on with their business.
There is a big difference between rigid cuffs and chain cuffs. Rigid cuffs are designed to give you control of a person through pressure points on the wrist, hence they're commonly known as TCH (Total Control Handcuffs)
I the UK, compulsory training is ongoing throughout the whole term of employment..whether that be one year or forty. UK offices also wear a camera on their vests as standard.
In the UK in the large cities police often use public transport for part of enforcement if needed but also to get from A to B. They are often on the train and on the Underground/Trams and sometimes buses when they are in the city centre as it's makes sense.
@@eileencritchley4630 it's true. They may have been talking about either just classroom type training rather than on the job training as well, I am not sure, but it is what was said. I am also not sure if, in the USA, their is lots of extra training depending on the job, e.g. in the UK there is extra training to use a taser, extra training to use a firearm, extra training to work in traffic, etc.
The biggest difference that seems to stand out to me is 'methodology'. US policing is about exerting power, control and punishment. These are not the pillars of UK policing, frontline community management is less about fear and control and more about using people skills. Whatever the mindset I'm sure both countries have officers that are a credit to the job and also those who have no business wearing the uniform.
As I see it, it's all about Gun ownership, and availability. It is extremely hard to obtain ANY gun in the UK. excluding the criminals of course. But the chance of a Policeman being threatened by a Gun toting man, is far lower. So, Our Police, have always resisted being armed. There are special Armed Units, who are called out to certain situations, but this is still much lower than any State in the US.
Billions of dollars worth of ex military equipment has been given to the police in the US, and if they have these new toys they are going to use them. SWAT teams are deployed far more often.
OMG, sorry, but your 'research' is very poor. You keep saying you have done 'a lot of research' but your facts and conclusions are wrong in so many instances. Edited to add. One of the biggest differences I have noticed (especially with my experience with the NYPD on my visits there) is this: US police DEMAND respect. UK police are GIVEN respect.
The best description I've read describing the difference between US and UK police is that: the US police forces 'enforce the law', UK police 'keep the peace'. The UK is policed by consent, is the overall description.
