The grim list of sex abuse claims against the Met Police - observer 21.0321

I wonder if the cps/police will appeal Banfield’s sentence. It was totally wrong, on every level. That offence didn’t appear from nowhere, triggered by him drinking too much. He will have masturbated to the fantasy. I fear his response to the sentence will be to see it as recognition that he behaved ‘out of character’ after a few beers.
I’ve read the Judge has a track record of giving this kind of nonsense sentence to sex offenders.

Iam64

The figures came from a Guardian article jax.
Rosie, thanks for upto date personal information

Just heard a female chief superintendent from the met talking about changes in the way sexual assaults will be investigated. The focus to be on the behaviour of the alleged perpetrator. Not before time. Why is the alcohol consumption of the rape victim seen as a contributor and the alcohol consumed by the rapist as an excuse

I just sigh reading this I’m afraid. The same old same old story of changing how sexual assaults will be investigated. And it’s not just the police is if ? Yesterday’s all too familiar apology from the CPS re failures in prosecution. And then the sentence given to Banfield by a judge with form in minimising the seriousness of male behaviour towards women. We need to have a pool of specially trained judges to deal with the whole range of sexual assaults ( as we do with family court judges)? So forgive my complete and utter cynicism when a police officer no matter how female or how senior talks about changes ahead.

The figures came from a Guardian article jax.
Rosie, thanks for upto date personal information

Just heard a female chief superintendent from the met talking about changes in the way sexual assaults will be investigated. The focus to be on the behaviour of the alleged perpetrator. Not before time. Why is the alcohol consumption of the rape victim seen as a contributor and the alcohol consumed by the rapist as an excuse

suziewoozie

Rosie51

suziewoozie As for people being reported missing and the police taking it seriously sooner, there are many voices in support of this and a belief that relatives/friends concerns should be taken more seriously.

The problem is there simply aren't the numbers of police to do this, police numbers have been shrinking for years, and their workload has increased. Retention of decent officers is becoming a real problem. I have police family members and can assure you regarding those who took selfies etc there is widespread disgust and condemnation. Good police hate being tarred with those abhorrent ones. And just for good measure, every police officer I know has condemned the new bill saying not only is it draconian, but unworkable.

Yes I know you’re right about there not being enough police officers and we know who cut the numbers . I also absolutely believe you about all the decent police officers. My complaint is why is it taking so long to deal with this case ( the photos of the murdered sisters) It’s so egregious it should have been fast tracked. - their poor mother. Justice delayed is justice denied

Justice delayed is justice denied couldn't agree more and know my family members totally support this. The cogs move exceedingly slow.

As a total aside, but very illustrative, one of my sons has recently moved to a very specialised group within the police. It was over a year of investigating every member of his extended family, including a brother who emigrated over 20 years ago.

Rosie51

suziewoozie As for people being reported missing and the police taking it seriously sooner, there are many voices in support of this and a belief that relatives/friends concerns should be taken more seriously.

The problem is there simply aren't the numbers of police to do this, police numbers have been shrinking for years, and their workload has increased. Retention of decent officers is becoming a real problem. I have police family members and can assure you regarding those who took selfies etc there is widespread disgust and condemnation. Good police hate being tarred with those abhorrent ones. And just for good measure, every police officer I know has condemned the new bill saying not only is it draconian, but unworkable.

Yes I know you’re right about there not being enough police officers and we know who cut the numbers . I also absolutely believe you about all the decent police officers. My complaint is why is it taking so long to deal with this case ( the photos of the murdered sisters) It’s so egregious it should have been fast tracked. - their poor mother. Justice delayed is justice denied

suziewoozie As for people being reported missing and the police taking it seriously sooner, there are many voices in support of this and a belief that relatives/friends concerns should be taken more seriously.

The problem is there simply aren't the numbers of police to do this, police numbers have been shrinking for years, and their workload has increased. Retention of decent officers is becoming a real problem. I have police family members and can assure you regarding those who took selfies etc there is widespread disgust and condemnation. Good police hate being tarred with those abhorrent ones. And just for good measure, every police officer I know has condemned the new bill saying not only is it draconian, but unworkable.

Jaxjacky

My apologies suziewoozie lips sealed.

No it’s for me to apologise - I was unacceptably snippy. I think the issue of how we deal with unacceptable behaviour of those in positions of trust is really important - doctors, dentists, nurses, a whole raft of other health and care professionals. The police are not dealt with in the same way - they are not regulated as are the ones mentioned who have to be on a register to practice.

Some of the issues raised in the links not provided show some of the problems that have existed for years and still do.The IOPC is in its nth reincarnation and still imo is not fit for purpose and don’t get me started on the CPS. That apology tonight to that poor girl. No explanation at all. And Banfield’s joke of a ‘punishment’. And the mother of those two murdered women still waiting to hear about the officers who photographed her dead daughters. There’s no bloody hope is there? Sorry again

My apologies suziewoozie lips sealed.

Jaxjacky

Not to detract from this discussion, but I wonder how many complaints are made to the GMC and upheld, another organisation of trust. The date seems difficult to find, Iam64 I assume your data was relatively easy to find?

Yes it does detract - this thread is about the police not other professionals across the board. There are issues about all regulated professionals of course but I don’t think it helps to discuss them altogether

Not to detract from this discussion, but I wonder how many complaints are made to the GMC and upheld, another organisation of trust. The date seems difficult to find, Iam64 I assume your data was relatively easy to find?

Our post keep crossing?? I’ll stop now as watching Mr Perry.

Whitewavemark2

PC Oliver Banfield resigned after assaulting a woman as she walked home.

No action being taken regarding the assault.

????

They are considering doing him for gross misconduct but not the actual assault.

What on earth is going on in this country?

Just on C4 news, the CPS has apologised to the woman attacked by the police officer for not charging him in the first place. So why didn’t they? Now his sentence needs increasing

PC Oliver Banfield resigned after assaulting a woman as she walked home.

No action being taken regarding the assault.

Did anyone look at any of the reports? The one I linked to maybe from 2012? There's plenty of learning to take home.

I agree Iam and frankly it’s not about being desensitised - it’s about being thoroughly unfit for the job. What on earth is taking all this time ? I suppose the criminal case has to be decided first and until there’s a charging decision by the CPS they’ll remain suspended on full pay.

Would doctors, nurses, health workers, social workers, to name but a few also be subjected to mandatory psychiatric evaluation to ensure they’re not desensitised? Of course not.

Maybe they should undergo psychiatric evaluation tests every 6 months or so, by an independent body?
I can understand that many must be desensitised due to the things that they see, if that happens maybe something can be done about it or they need to go.
I also think that some bad apples need to be weeded out, before they join the Police again by an independent body and as an ongoing evaluation it doesn’t do anyone any favours if the general public are scared to go to the Police.
A friend tried for years to get into the Police and was a Volunteer Special instead, some of the things she had to do and saw were horrific, but they still wouldn’t allow her to join, at that time it was very much a ‘Boys Club’.

PS latest I found on this was from last autumn - two policemen arrested and file sent to CPS re being charged and also file with IOPC. Six more officers being investigated for sharing said photographs.

Rosie51

^And two young sisters went missing recently whilst celebrating a birthday in the local park. It was reported to the Met police, but nothing was done and it was left to the family to look and find their bodies in the park.^

There were definitely failings in the case of the sisters, but at 27 and 46 their absence was never going to prompt an investigation within a few hours. Most would turn up within a day or two, it's thankfully rare for two women to be murdered in those circumstances.

The real issue here was the police taking selfies with the sisters ‘ dead bodies. I haven’t heard the outcome of that yet but I know the murder trial has started recently so better be careful and not say any more.

As for people being reported missing and the police taking it seriously sooner, there are many voices in support of this and a belief that relatives/friends concerns should be taken more seriously.

And two young sisters went missing recently whilst celebrating a birthday in the local park. It was reported to the Met police, but nothing was done and it was left to the family to look and find their bodies in the park.

There were definitely failings in the case of the sisters, but at 27 and 46 their absence was never going to prompt an investigation within a few hours. Most would turn up within a day or two, it's thankfully rare for two women to be murdered in those circumstances.

Two reports I have become aware of today.

The first is that the Bristol police said that their officers has received broken bones and punctured lung in the recent women's protest.

None of it true.

And two young sisters went missing recently whilst celebrating a birthday in the local park. It was reported to the Met police, but nothing was done and it was left to the family to look and find their bodies in the park.

There is a photo of the young girls making light patterns with their phones. Just the two of them.

EllanVannin

I'm in no way surprised by all this ! Who is there to police the police ??

We are there to police the police, the general public, they are accountable, it is public opinion that determines what is acceptable and what is not.

In all complaints there are 2 sides to the story, thankfully many/most police wear body cameras and what really happened is recorded, that is highly likely why a lot of complaints are made and only a few upheld. Far more of us should support the police because they are the best we have got

I have another story in mind going back years but can't comment as the case in question is on-going.