A story that makes me despair

Definitely, and therefore they should expect to be punished severely for it. After all, they are the ones who are supposed to uphold the law for the rest of us.

"Policing:

Steve White, chair of the Police Federation, has warned that if further cuts are made to policing, then the police will be forced to take a more violent approach, stating that with less money “you get a style of policing where the first options are teargas, rubber bullets and water cannon.” We all know that policing without consent will lead to huge civil unrest. Poor police-community relations were the trigger for the 2011 riots. And in a society where mass-protesting is becoming a weekly activity, this paramilitary style policing will undoubtedly impact upon all of us."

I do not like the sound of this at all.

GrannyTwice I do agree, as you say, that it is fundamentally much more serious if a police officer breaks the law and should therefore receive a much harsher penalty. In the particular case you mentioned, the officer was imprisoned and I believe police officers have a very hard time in prison so I just wondered if it was right that they should also be deprived of a large percentage of their pension.

durhamjen I think the cuts in policing are very worrying. They are saying that there is every chance that they will not be able to respond in person to anything other than violent crimes and emergencies. Along with the risks of a more heavy handed approach from the police, I think so far as protection of property is concerned, people in better off neighbourhoods may decide to all chip in and hire private security staff, leaving those who can't afford to do that more likely to be targeted and less likely to have crimes against their properties investigated.

That style of policing sounds appalling, dj. I can easily imagine it being portrayed as necessary to keep violent elements under control, and thus leading to more & more control and repression, all in the interests of a 'peaceful society' of course.

Eleo - as always your posts make me think . I can see what you mean about a double punishment. I've been thinking about doctors who break the law and their pensions - Shipman's widow got his NHS widows pension after his suicide. How do I feel about that? His wasn't a one off was it - he murdered they believe throughout his whole medical career. Bit of a minefield

www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jan/15/shipman.health

This is interesting