It used to be the case (when I was growing up) that the police were helpful, considerate, didn't weigh in like brutal thugs, and if they were stopping someone suspected of breaking the law, did it in a calm and measured manner. I'm afraid the latest headline shows how they just don't seem to bother any more. Can't they tell the different between a speech problem and other signs of drunkenness? Why didn't they go for a simple breath test rather than snatching the poor women from very young children who will now see the police as menacing ogres? They were apologetic after, but a little thought might have prevented them giving the image that they are just basically uniformed thugs who are paid to enforce the law, not much different from the police in dictatorships in their attitude.
My police ordeal, by disabled mother By Orlando Crowcroft
A DISABLED mother was separated from her children and put into the back of a police van by officers who thought she had been drink-driving. |
| Ataxia sufferer Ali Flavell was driving her two sons through St Helier on Thursday when officers pulled up and told her to get out of the car. They locked 34-year-old Mrs Flavell in the back of a police van in front of dozens of onlookers in Belmont Road and took her to the police station.
Her two terrified children, four-year-old Oliver and one-year-old Morgan, were driven to a secure children's unit while their mother was questioned by officers in an interview room, although she says that she was not breath-tested or arrested at any time.
During her ordeal Mrs Flavell was asked probing questions about how much she drank. But she said that once officers realised they had made a mistake, they were apologetic.
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The other thing is, where did they get those officers from? Mrs. Flavell's brave fightback from her illness was a long running news story in the local media, and surely most local people would recognize her; I know I have seen her staggering about and instantly remembered who she was. The police should have done so too.
And why not use the breathaliser for diagnosis? Goodness help anyone who is having a stroke, and comes across one of those officers. My grandfather had a stroke walking down Hill Street, and people thought at first he was drunk. I'd like to see a good police service, for the police protect society against thugs and bullies, but they seem inclined to shoot themselves in the foot when they behave that way themselves.
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