http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:04:35 +0000 MyBB http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1274 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:06:03 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1274 I know it may not be everyones cup of tea, but its just words and thoughts to help us do what we do everyday, and sometimes they may give us the answers we are looking for.

SEPT 3RD
" It is never too late to care, share, hug a loved one or to say I love you. Never too late to do a good deed, to whisper a kind word or to offer a hand in need. Never too late to flash a smile, laugh or enjoy a meaningful moment. As long as you're willing to give it a go, it is never too late. Let's get out there! Make today a truly memorable day, a fabulous day, a super sensational day that you'll cherish forever.]]> I know it may not be everyones cup of tea, but its just words and thoughts to help us do what we do everyday, and sometimes they may give us the answers we are looking for.

SEPT 3RD
" It is never too late to care, share, hug a loved one or to say I love you. Never too late to do a good deed, to whisper a kind word or to offer a hand in need. Never too late to flash a smile, laugh or enjoy a meaningful moment. As long as you're willing to give it a go, it is never too late. Let's get out there! Make today a truly memorable day, a fabulous day, a super sensational day that you'll cherish forever.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1273 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:30:19 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1273 Officer’s Actions Questioned After Asthmatic Girl Dies

A New York City police officer was suspended without pay on Tuesday after an encounter with the mother of an 11-year-old girl who was suffering an asthma attack and later died, the authorities said.

The officer, Alfonso Mendez, 30, who joined the force in 2005 and was assigned to the 84th Precinct, was expected to face administrative charges of failing to take proper police action, which could include failing to report to the department what had happened, said Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman.

Officer Mendez was stripped of his gun and shield, Mr. Browne said.

The officer was flagged down on Henry Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, on Friday evening by Carmen Ojeda as she tried to rush her daughter, Briana, to Long Island College Hospital after the girl had an asthma attack while playing in Carroll Park with other children, according to officials and the girl’s father, Michael Ojeda.

“She’s begging for help,” said Mr. Ojeda about his wife. “She said, ‘Please, my daughter, she can’t breathe.’ She says, ‘Please, give her mouth to mouth.’ He put a smirk on his face. He says, ‘I don’t know CPR.’ ”

All city police officers are trained in CPR, said Mr. Browne, who confirmed that Officer Mendez did not perform CPR but escorted the woman and her daughter to the hospital. The officer drove his marked patrol car behind Ms. Ojeda as she drove, arriving there at 5:45 p.m., said Mr. Browne. He said the girl died there 65 minutes later.

For days, the Ojeda family insisted they had run into a city police officer, but the identity of the officer was a mystery. As the Internal Affairs Bureau began its inquiry, it ruled out the involvement of all officers within the 76th Precinct, where the encounter took place. Then, in checking the gas records for the 76th Precinct, it discovered that Officer Mendez stopped there to fill up his car after appearing in traffic court but before arriving at his post at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.

That Officer Mendez never made a record of his actions is what led to his suspension, Mr. Browne said. “A police officer would be required,” he said, “to radio in the fact he had this pickup job.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/nyregi....html?_r=1

If the facts of this story are accurate (and I say 'if') then this bloke not only needs sacking but he should be locked up for malfeasance. What emergency worker wouldn't do everything in their power to help a child in distress? A sad day for NYPD is this is a true story.]]> Officer’s Actions Questioned After Asthmatic Girl Dies

A New York City police officer was suspended without pay on Tuesday after an encounter with the mother of an 11-year-old girl who was suffering an asthma attack and later died, the authorities said.

The officer, Alfonso Mendez, 30, who joined the force in 2005 and was assigned to the 84th Precinct, was expected to face administrative charges of failing to take proper police action, which could include failing to report to the department what had happened, said Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman.

Officer Mendez was stripped of his gun and shield, Mr. Browne said.

The officer was flagged down on Henry Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, on Friday evening by Carmen Ojeda as she tried to rush her daughter, Briana, to Long Island College Hospital after the girl had an asthma attack while playing in Carroll Park with other children, according to officials and the girl’s father, Michael Ojeda.

“She’s begging for help,” said Mr. Ojeda about his wife. “She said, ‘Please, my daughter, she can’t breathe.’ She says, ‘Please, give her mouth to mouth.’ He put a smirk on his face. He says, ‘I don’t know CPR.’ ”

All city police officers are trained in CPR, said Mr. Browne, who confirmed that Officer Mendez did not perform CPR but escorted the woman and her daughter to the hospital. The officer drove his marked patrol car behind Ms. Ojeda as she drove, arriving there at 5:45 p.m., said Mr. Browne. He said the girl died there 65 minutes later.

For days, the Ojeda family insisted they had run into a city police officer, but the identity of the officer was a mystery. As the Internal Affairs Bureau began its inquiry, it ruled out the involvement of all officers within the 76th Precinct, where the encounter took place. Then, in checking the gas records for the 76th Precinct, it discovered that Officer Mendez stopped there to fill up his car after appearing in traffic court but before arriving at his post at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.

That Officer Mendez never made a record of his actions is what led to his suspension, Mr. Browne said. “A police officer would be required,” he said, “to radio in the fact he had this pickup job.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/nyregi....html?_r=1

If the facts of this story are accurate (and I say 'if') then this bloke not only needs sacking but he should be locked up for malfeasance. What emergency worker wouldn't do everything in their power to help a child in distress? A sad day for NYPD is this is a true story.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1272 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:03:40 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1272 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1271 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:09:51 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1271
Taken From http://www.breakingnews.ie (Link posted below story)

An armed gang got away with hundreds of thousands of euros in cash today after taking a bank worker’s wife hostage in a tiger kidnap.

The three man gang took the woman from her home in Templeogue, west Dublin at gunpoint in the early hours of this morning.

Gardai said one of the gang carried a firearm and the woman’s husband, an AIB employee, was ordered to carry out the theft.

It is believed about €300,000 was stolen.

The money was taken from the AIB Clondalkin village and a drop-off arranged before the man‘s wife was freed hours later near a quarry in rural Wicklow.

She had been released by the gang at about 12.45pm and sought help from a local resident in Ballybrew, Enniskerry.

The woman was driven from her home in a black 10-D registration Volkswagen Golf which detectives believe may have travelled on roads and motorways near both the Templeogue and Enniskerry areas throughout the morning.

It is understood the money was taken to a drop-off point in Clondalkin and that the gang may have been in the Corkagh Park area amid fears they were under surveillance.

Detectives were investigating whether the gang used a second car, a black Nissan Qashqai with a 08-D registration which may have been seen between between Templeogue, Corkagh Park and AIB Clondalkin from 7am.

Gardai said they were examining four scenes linked to the robbery and appealed for information about suspicious activity at the couple’s home on Domville Drive, Templeogue from 10pm last night or over the last few days.

The also asked for witnesses from the AIB in Clondalkin village in the morning from 8am, the quarry in Ballybrew and unusual or suspicious activity at or around Corkagh Park in the Clondalkin area.

Detectives were alerted to the kidnap and theft this the morning.

Under protocols agreed between banks, unions and the Garda, employees are obliged to contact the force in the event of a tiger-kidnap and before following the gang’s orders to hand over money.

A Garda spokesman said a comprehensive response team was put in place involving both local and national units to intercept the tiger-kidnap.

There have been four similar robberies this year.

In June a bank clerk was forced to take €200,000 from a Dublin branch of AIB after his friend was taken hostage from their home in Kiltipper.

In the previous month, a bank employee’s partner was taken from her Ballyfermot home while a gang ordered the employee to work at the Ulster Bank on Sundrive Road to carry out the theft.

In April two men abducted a bank official’s wife and attempted to rob a Bank of Ireland in Raheny. No money was stolen.

And in early January a security guard and two members of his family were taken hostage in an incident which led to the theft of more than €100,000.

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/garda...z0yOuoTuC5]]>
Taken From http://www.breakingnews.ie (Link posted below story)

An armed gang got away with hundreds of thousands of euros in cash today after taking a bank worker’s wife hostage in a tiger kidnap.

The three man gang took the woman from her home in Templeogue, west Dublin at gunpoint in the early hours of this morning.

Gardai said one of the gang carried a firearm and the woman’s husband, an AIB employee, was ordered to carry out the theft.

It is believed about €300,000 was stolen.

The money was taken from the AIB Clondalkin village and a drop-off arranged before the man‘s wife was freed hours later near a quarry in rural Wicklow.

She had been released by the gang at about 12.45pm and sought help from a local resident in Ballybrew, Enniskerry.

The woman was driven from her home in a black 10-D registration Volkswagen Golf which detectives believe may have travelled on roads and motorways near both the Templeogue and Enniskerry areas throughout the morning.

It is understood the money was taken to a drop-off point in Clondalkin and that the gang may have been in the Corkagh Park area amid fears they were under surveillance.

Detectives were investigating whether the gang used a second car, a black Nissan Qashqai with a 08-D registration which may have been seen between between Templeogue, Corkagh Park and AIB Clondalkin from 7am.

Gardai said they were examining four scenes linked to the robbery and appealed for information about suspicious activity at the couple’s home on Domville Drive, Templeogue from 10pm last night or over the last few days.

The also asked for witnesses from the AIB in Clondalkin village in the morning from 8am, the quarry in Ballybrew and unusual or suspicious activity at or around Corkagh Park in the Clondalkin area.

Detectives were alerted to the kidnap and theft this the morning.

Under protocols agreed between banks, unions and the Garda, employees are obliged to contact the force in the event of a tiger-kidnap and before following the gang’s orders to hand over money.

A Garda spokesman said a comprehensive response team was put in place involving both local and national units to intercept the tiger-kidnap.

There have been four similar robberies this year.

In June a bank clerk was forced to take €200,000 from a Dublin branch of AIB after his friend was taken hostage from their home in Kiltipper.

In the previous month, a bank employee’s partner was taken from her Ballyfermot home while a gang ordered the employee to work at the Ulster Bank on Sundrive Road to carry out the theft.

In April two men abducted a bank official’s wife and attempted to rob a Bank of Ireland in Raheny. No money was stolen.

And in early January a security guard and two members of his family were taken hostage in an incident which led to the theft of more than €100,000.

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/garda...z0yOuoTuC5]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1270 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:24:28 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1270
While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw
an infant carseat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it.
For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of
thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I
called the

Police and they were going to check it out. But, this is what the Police
advised even before they went out there to check....

"There are several things to be aware of ... Gangs and thieves are

now plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women)to stop their
vehicle and get out of the car.

"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department

where gangs are placing a carseat by the road...with a fake baby in >
it...waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned
baby. "Note that the location of this carseat is usually beside a wooded
or grassy (field) area and the person -- woman -- will be
dragged into the woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead.
If
it's a man, they're usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!!



DIAL AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.



"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD,

DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS. THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES]]>
While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw
an infant carseat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it.
For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of
thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I
called the

Police and they were going to check it out. But, this is what the Police
advised even before they went out there to check....

"There are several things to be aware of ... Gangs and thieves are

now plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women)to stop their
vehicle and get out of the car.

"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department

where gangs are placing a carseat by the road...with a fake baby in >
it...waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned
baby. "Note that the location of this carseat is usually beside a wooded
or grassy (field) area and the person -- woman -- will be
dragged into the woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead.
If
it's a man, they're usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!!



DIAL AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.



"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD,

DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS. THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1269 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:55:45 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1269 Ride-alongs.

I know we have a number of members on here who are either awaiting a start date or waiting for recruitment to open up. Equally we have a few members and no doubt plenty of visitors who are simply interested in the work of the emergency services, including An Garda Siochana.

So to non-serving types: Would you like ride-alongs to be an option open to members of the public? Would you be happy to sign a waiver and go out for a couple of hours in the back of a squad car as an observer (no GR jokes please ) without having to wear handcuffs?

And to serving types: Would you have liked this option to have been available in your own service prior to joining, and would you be happy to have a keen citizen on board for a few hours watching how you work?

Generally speaking would it better help the public understand what you do or just hinder the emergency services even further?

My own service does ride-alongs in certain limited circumstances but people cannot just walk into the nick and demand a tour. I've only done one wherein we had an elected representative out in the car with us to get a look at local policing. As luck would have it shortly into the shift we clocked a stolen motor which failed to stop, and resulted in a short pursuit with a foot chase and air support and dog units being called out. The local representative we subsequently discovered had phoned home to tell their family that it was like an episode of The Bill....if only they knew the amount of effort it took to stage the whole thing......I'm kidding...I jest

Ride-alongs. Discuss.]]> Ride-alongs.

I know we have a number of members on here who are either awaiting a start date or waiting for recruitment to open up. Equally we have a few members and no doubt plenty of visitors who are simply interested in the work of the emergency services, including An Garda Siochana.

So to non-serving types: Would you like ride-alongs to be an option open to members of the public? Would you be happy to sign a waiver and go out for a couple of hours in the back of a squad car as an observer (no GR jokes please ) without having to wear handcuffs?

And to serving types: Would you have liked this option to have been available in your own service prior to joining, and would you be happy to have a keen citizen on board for a few hours watching how you work?

Generally speaking would it better help the public understand what you do or just hinder the emergency services even further?

My own service does ride-alongs in certain limited circumstances but people cannot just walk into the nick and demand a tour. I've only done one wherein we had an elected representative out in the car with us to get a look at local policing. As luck would have it shortly into the shift we clocked a stolen motor which failed to stop, and resulted in a short pursuit with a foot chase and air support and dog units being called out. The local representative we subsequently discovered had phoned home to tell their family that it was like an episode of The Bill....if only they knew the amount of effort it took to stage the whole thing......I'm kidding...I jest

Ride-alongs. Discuss.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1267 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:38:06 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1267 Special Constable Jailed For Assault On Soldier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c542zpHRA94&NR=1

A special constable has been jailed for three years after being convicted of a vicious assault on a drunken off-duty soldier while trying to arrest him.

Peter Lightfoot attacked Lance Corporal Mark Aspinall outside a bar in Wigan, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of July 27, 2008. The attack, which was captured on CCTV, was described as "violent, excessive and unjustified" by the police watchdog.

Lightfoot, 40, was filmed pushing the soldier's head into the ground and hitting him with a police helmet. He was found guilty of the assault on the soldier, who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq, by a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court last month.

Two other officers involved in the incident, Sergeant Stephen Russell, 34, and Pc Richard Kelsall, 29, were cleared of assaulting the soldier.

L/Cpl Aspinall was himself initially charged and convicted of two counts of attacking the police officers by Wigan Magistrates, who did not view the CCTV. He later won an appeal to have the verdict quashed at Liverpool Crown Court, where the judge cited concerns about the actions of the officers. Haulage driver Lightfoot was also convicted of one count of perjury, in relation to the evidence he gave during the soldier's trial. He was jailed for one year for perjury, and two years for assault, to run consecutively.

Lightfoot, a twice-divorced father of two, had been given a warning about using excessive force during an arrest in 2007, the court heard. However, he was nominated for a bravery award for confronting a robber who was wielding an imitation handgun and won a Special Constable of the Year award in 2003.

Police were called to the Walkabout bar in Wigan town centre after L/Cpl Aspinall was thrown out for causing trouble and allegedly shouting racial abuse at door staff. Lightfoot used "unacceptable" force when making the arrest, Judge Lewis said, and it was lucky the soldier had not suffered a head injury.

"However badly he behaved, he did not deserve to be treated as you treated him during this short-lived bout of violence," the judge added.

The judge rejected a claim for compensation for L/Cpl Aspinall.

Lightfoot's father Jim said his son did nothing wrong: "I don't think the video tells the story," he said.

"I did 24 years as a Special Constable. I've been in the same position. You didn't get a true picture from the video."

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "The judge's sentence is a reflection of how serious this abuse of trust was. The conduct of Peter Lightfoot that day fell well below the standard we expect. His actions in no way reflect the committed and professional attitude shown by the vast majority of our Special Constables, who are highly trained in the best ways to safely detain prisoners."

Source

Thoughts or Comments?]]> Special Constable Jailed For Assault On Soldier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c542zpHRA94&NR=1

A special constable has been jailed for three years after being convicted of a vicious assault on a drunken off-duty soldier while trying to arrest him.

Peter Lightfoot attacked Lance Corporal Mark Aspinall outside a bar in Wigan, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of July 27, 2008. The attack, which was captured on CCTV, was described as "violent, excessive and unjustified" by the police watchdog.

Lightfoot, 40, was filmed pushing the soldier's head into the ground and hitting him with a police helmet. He was found guilty of the assault on the soldier, who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq, by a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court last month.

Two other officers involved in the incident, Sergeant Stephen Russell, 34, and Pc Richard Kelsall, 29, were cleared of assaulting the soldier.

L/Cpl Aspinall was himself initially charged and convicted of two counts of attacking the police officers by Wigan Magistrates, who did not view the CCTV. He later won an appeal to have the verdict quashed at Liverpool Crown Court, where the judge cited concerns about the actions of the officers. Haulage driver Lightfoot was also convicted of one count of perjury, in relation to the evidence he gave during the soldier's trial. He was jailed for one year for perjury, and two years for assault, to run consecutively.

Lightfoot, a twice-divorced father of two, had been given a warning about using excessive force during an arrest in 2007, the court heard. However, he was nominated for a bravery award for confronting a robber who was wielding an imitation handgun and won a Special Constable of the Year award in 2003.

Police were called to the Walkabout bar in Wigan town centre after L/Cpl Aspinall was thrown out for causing trouble and allegedly shouting racial abuse at door staff. Lightfoot used "unacceptable" force when making the arrest, Judge Lewis said, and it was lucky the soldier had not suffered a head injury.

"However badly he behaved, he did not deserve to be treated as you treated him during this short-lived bout of violence," the judge added.

The judge rejected a claim for compensation for L/Cpl Aspinall.

Lightfoot's father Jim said his son did nothing wrong: "I don't think the video tells the story," he said.

"I did 24 years as a Special Constable. I've been in the same position. You didn't get a true picture from the video."

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "The judge's sentence is a reflection of how serious this abuse of trust was. The conduct of Peter Lightfoot that day fell well below the standard we expect. His actions in no way reflect the committed and professional attitude shown by the vast majority of our Special Constables, who are highly trained in the best ways to safely detain prisoners."

Source

Thoughts or Comments?]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1266 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:31:45 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1266
just wondering what extra resources would you like if ye could i know every area different

Cork City/Cork north

Would Regional Wagon with 6 gardai goes to trouble area on Friday and Saturday night extra body to help divisional units

Extra RSU based Mallow or Mitchlestown could service ( Kerry,Tipp, limerick if needed)

Proactive Unit ( Same lines Road Wars) would have ANPR fitted for traffic and drug would be given high performance cars and equipment

I Know this maybe a wish list, i know resource are tight down even transport at the moment what would make your job eaiser, kinda interested in what ye think?]]>
just wondering what extra resources would you like if ye could i know every area different

Cork City/Cork north

Would Regional Wagon with 6 gardai goes to trouble area on Friday and Saturday night extra body to help divisional units

Extra RSU based Mallow or Mitchlestown could service ( Kerry,Tipp, limerick if needed)

Proactive Unit ( Same lines Road Wars) would have ANPR fitted for traffic and drug would be given high performance cars and equipment

I Know this maybe a wish list, i know resource are tight down even transport at the moment what would make your job eaiser, kinda interested in what ye think?]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1265 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:23:15 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1265
Not sure if this is new or a repeat, but for those that haven't seen it its a good look at the Met's Dog Squad. I've seen the previous shows and its worth a look.]]>
Not sure if this is new or a repeat, but for those that haven't seen it its a good look at the Met's Dog Squad. I've seen the previous shows and its worth a look.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1264 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:19:21 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1264 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1263 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:55:53 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1263

What do people do for safety?

Do some of ye go the whole hog and have a second set of winter wheels?

Is something like this actually useful and a good cheap alternative?
http://www.autosock.co.uk/]]>

What do people do for safety?

Do some of ye go the whole hog and have a second set of winter wheels?

Is something like this actually useful and a good cheap alternative?
http://www.autosock.co.uk/]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1261 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:02:03 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1261
Take a look at the first, second and third series of The Bill, back when Bob Cryer was the Station Sergeant and Jim Carver was a probie. Now that was good plod tv. It was accurate, true to life, succcint and centred on the job, not what the characters did on their day off.

Sad the show's been scrapped? No.
Sad the show was ruined? Yes.

Thoughts or comments on The Bill?]]>
Take a look at the first, second and third series of The Bill, back when Bob Cryer was the Station Sergeant and Jim Carver was a probie. Now that was good plod tv. It was accurate, true to life, succcint and centred on the job, not what the characters did on their day off.

Sad the show's been scrapped? No.
Sad the show was ruined? Yes.

Thoughts or comments on The Bill?]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1253 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:24:26 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1253
This will take some of the wind from the sails of the moron-brigade who are trying to blame the plod for Moat's death

Will post more as the story develops.

***EDIT***

A Sky source has revealed, for the first time, the timeline of events surrounding the gunman's final actions. The revelation contradicts earlier suggestions that officers fired their Tasers first. The source has described how police negotiators felt they were making positive progress with Moat during the seven-hour stand-off in the Northumberland town of Rothbury.

It is understood the 37-year-old had been talking in positive terms about what life might be like for him in prison, when apparently the conversation took a far more ominous tone. The gunman, who had previously been lying on the ground, got to his feet and moved his shotgun to the side of his head. It is understood he then started talking about his loved ones and how he would miss them. A short time later, the source says, Moat shot himself in the head with his sawn-off shotgun and only then did officers discharge their Tasers.

It is understood one of the Taser rounds struck the gunman in the front and the other in the back, although neither Taser cartridge made proper contact with him. Instead, the rounds were lodged in the hooded top Moat was wearing. The cartridges' failure to connect could explain why a post mortem examination of Moat's body did not find any evidence of Taser marks, prompting his family to ask for a second post mortem.

The controversial Taser shotguns had only arrived a short time before they were deployed. The events surrounding Moat's death are part of an ongoing investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission to determine if officers acted appropriately.

A recent Sky News investigation discovered the weapons had only been delivered to officers in Rothbury on the day the hunt for Moat came to its conclusion. The source says senior officers had decided to deploy the weapon, despite the fact it had not been approved by the Home Office, because they feared they would not be able to get close enough to Moat to use conventional Tasers, which only have a range of up to 20 feet.]]>
This will take some of the wind from the sails of the moron-brigade who are trying to blame the plod for Moat's death

Will post more as the story develops.

***EDIT***

A Sky source has revealed, for the first time, the timeline of events surrounding the gunman's final actions. The revelation contradicts earlier suggestions that officers fired their Tasers first. The source has described how police negotiators felt they were making positive progress with Moat during the seven-hour stand-off in the Northumberland town of Rothbury.

It is understood the 37-year-old had been talking in positive terms about what life might be like for him in prison, when apparently the conversation took a far more ominous tone. The gunman, who had previously been lying on the ground, got to his feet and moved his shotgun to the side of his head. It is understood he then started talking about his loved ones and how he would miss them. A short time later, the source says, Moat shot himself in the head with his sawn-off shotgun and only then did officers discharge their Tasers.

It is understood one of the Taser rounds struck the gunman in the front and the other in the back, although neither Taser cartridge made proper contact with him. Instead, the rounds were lodged in the hooded top Moat was wearing. The cartridges' failure to connect could explain why a post mortem examination of Moat's body did not find any evidence of Taser marks, prompting his family to ask for a second post mortem.

The controversial Taser shotguns had only arrived a short time before they were deployed. The events surrounding Moat's death are part of an ongoing investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission to determine if officers acted appropriately.

A recent Sky News investigation discovered the weapons had only been delivered to officers in Rothbury on the day the hunt for Moat came to its conclusion. The source says senior officers had decided to deploy the weapon, despite the fact it had not been approved by the Home Office, because they feared they would not be able to get close enough to Moat to use conventional Tasers, which only have a range of up to 20 feet.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1252 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:04:59 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1252
http://www.policeone.com/police-products...-standoff/

HOONAH, Alaska — A standoff continued Monday between police and a 45-year-old man who barricaded himself in his home after allegedly shooting two rural Alaska police officers to death, authorities said.

The Hoonah, Alaska, Police Department contacted the Alaska State Troopers on Saturday night, asking for assistance after Hoonah officers Matthew Tokuoka, 39, and Sgt. Anthony Wallace, 32, were shot in what troopers described as an ambush. Both officers later died from their injuries.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of John Marvin Jr., police said. After the shooting, Marvin barricaded himself inside his home, according to Alaska television station KTUU.

State troopers sent several special emergency response teams, and police from Juneau also deployed a tactical team, troopers said in a statement. The Coast Guard assisted in bringing resources into Hoonah, which is on an island about 62 miles north of Sitka, Alaska, and 68 miles west of Juneau by ferry. The Coast Guard also launched a helicopter from Sitka to transport one of the wounded officers to Juneau.

On Sunday, other agencies were assisting, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Division of Wildlife troopers, authorities said.

"We are offering up our condolences and our support to the community of Hoonah however we can," said Col. Audie Holloway, director of the Division of Alaska State Troopers. "Sadly, two police officers lost their lives. We hope to end this standoff without any further tragedy."

The shooting leaves the town of Hoonah, which has a population of about 800 people, with only one police officer -- the police chief, KTUU said. State troopers said in a statement they would be providing staffing for Hoonah police following the resolution of the standoff.

Businesses in the area were shut down, according to KTUU, and residents were asked to stay indoors and away from the area.

"We heard a gunshot and one of my co-workers looked out the window and he saw one policeman down," witness Dirk Knehr told the television station. "He'd been shot, and another policeman was trying to drag him away and the suspect shot him twice. And then he just took off."

Little was known about Marvin, KTUU said. "The only information we have is that he's had problems with law enforcement in that community in the past, and there were some issues of stability," Alaska State Troopers Capt. Barry Wilson told the station.

The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, KTUU said. Wallace began working with Hoonah police in 2008, according to the station. He was a 2008 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, and a former campus police officer at the school.

"Tony, who was hard-of-hearing, proved remarkable at many levels," the institute said in a statement on its website. After joining campus police, he went on to attend the police academy, where he graduated as class valedictorian. An All-American wrestler, he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

The institute's statement quoted from an interview Wallace did last year with the university's news department. "I hope that people who are in the same situation as I am see my story and begin to believe that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it," he said. "Anything and everything is possible, it's just a matter of how bad you want it and how far you are willing to go to prove to people that you are worthy of whatever career you want to pursue."

Tokuoka, a former Marine Corps staff sergeant, was a native of Hawaii who had been with Hoonah police since 2009, KTUU said.]]>
http://www.policeone.com/police-products...-standoff/

HOONAH, Alaska — A standoff continued Monday between police and a 45-year-old man who barricaded himself in his home after allegedly shooting two rural Alaska police officers to death, authorities said.

The Hoonah, Alaska, Police Department contacted the Alaska State Troopers on Saturday night, asking for assistance after Hoonah officers Matthew Tokuoka, 39, and Sgt. Anthony Wallace, 32, were shot in what troopers described as an ambush. Both officers later died from their injuries.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of John Marvin Jr., police said. After the shooting, Marvin barricaded himself inside his home, according to Alaska television station KTUU.

State troopers sent several special emergency response teams, and police from Juneau also deployed a tactical team, troopers said in a statement. The Coast Guard assisted in bringing resources into Hoonah, which is on an island about 62 miles north of Sitka, Alaska, and 68 miles west of Juneau by ferry. The Coast Guard also launched a helicopter from Sitka to transport one of the wounded officers to Juneau.

On Sunday, other agencies were assisting, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Division of Wildlife troopers, authorities said.

"We are offering up our condolences and our support to the community of Hoonah however we can," said Col. Audie Holloway, director of the Division of Alaska State Troopers. "Sadly, two police officers lost their lives. We hope to end this standoff without any further tragedy."

The shooting leaves the town of Hoonah, which has a population of about 800 people, with only one police officer -- the police chief, KTUU said. State troopers said in a statement they would be providing staffing for Hoonah police following the resolution of the standoff.

Businesses in the area were shut down, according to KTUU, and residents were asked to stay indoors and away from the area.

"We heard a gunshot and one of my co-workers looked out the window and he saw one policeman down," witness Dirk Knehr told the television station. "He'd been shot, and another policeman was trying to drag him away and the suspect shot him twice. And then he just took off."

Little was known about Marvin, KTUU said. "The only information we have is that he's had problems with law enforcement in that community in the past, and there were some issues of stability," Alaska State Troopers Capt. Barry Wilson told the station.

The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, KTUU said. Wallace began working with Hoonah police in 2008, according to the station. He was a 2008 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, and a former campus police officer at the school.

"Tony, who was hard-of-hearing, proved remarkable at many levels," the institute said in a statement on its website. After joining campus police, he went on to attend the police academy, where he graduated as class valedictorian. An All-American wrestler, he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

The institute's statement quoted from an interview Wallace did last year with the university's news department. "I hope that people who are in the same situation as I am see my story and begin to believe that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it," he said. "Anything and everything is possible, it's just a matter of how bad you want it and how far you are willing to go to prove to people that you are worthy of whatever career you want to pursue."

Tokuoka, a former Marine Corps staff sergeant, was a native of Hawaii who had been with Hoonah police since 2009, KTUU said.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1251 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:24:29 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1251 I was just doing my job: Passing off-duty policeman pins suspected car thief to the ground

Nonchalantly pinning down a man with one strong arm, this is the moment an off-duty policeman snares a suspected car thief on his day off.



Sgt Matt Walker was walking trough Wolverhampton city centre on Saturday afternoon when he spotted a man who looked as though he was about to break into a van. It certainly wasn't the young man's lucky day as the officer, wearing black trousers and a beige hooded jacket, instinctively gave chase, caught up and wrestled the 26-year-old suspect to the ground in front of shocked shoppers.

While kneeling on the suspect's arm and pinning him to the ground, Sgt Walker then calmly called his colleagues at nearby Bilston Street police station and uniformed officers turned up to take over.



Sgt Walker, of West Midlands Police, had been walking down Castle Street, in the city centre, at around 3.45pm, when he pounced on the suspected crook. But a modest Sgt Walker said today that he was just doing his job.

'I was just passing at the time. The lad was arrested on suspicion of theft. It appeared he was trying to take something from someone's car. He will now be taken to Wolverhampton Police Station.'

Shopper Valerie Butler, from Bilston, West Mids, saw the drama unfold. She said: 'I was getting a pasty from Greggs when I saw this kid running away and this big guy chasing him.



'He caught up with him and pinned him down, with great ease really. Then the police turned up. It was quite dramatic. I didn't know what was going on but if he was a car thief then I'm really glad he got what he deserved. It wasn't his lucky day.'

Another, who did not wish to be named, added: 'The man is a credit to his profession, I know I wouldn't put my safety on the line for my boss, even during office hours. But these guys have a duty to the public, and I don't think they are given enough praise. The lad got what was coming to him.'

A spokesman for the force said in a statement that officers were continuing to question a man on suspicion of attempted theft. The statement added: 'An off-duty police officer saw a 26-year-old man attempting to break into a van on Castle Street in Wolverhampton. The officer gave chase and caught the offender, arresting him for the attempted theft of a motor vehicle. A 26-year-old man is currently in custody helping police with their inquiries.'

Source

Nice to see some pro-police news in the Daily Hate Mail for a change and good work by the Skipper!]]> I was just doing my job: Passing off-duty policeman pins suspected car thief to the ground

Nonchalantly pinning down a man with one strong arm, this is the moment an off-duty policeman snares a suspected car thief on his day off.



Sgt Matt Walker was walking trough Wolverhampton city centre on Saturday afternoon when he spotted a man who looked as though he was about to break into a van. It certainly wasn't the young man's lucky day as the officer, wearing black trousers and a beige hooded jacket, instinctively gave chase, caught up and wrestled the 26-year-old suspect to the ground in front of shocked shoppers.

While kneeling on the suspect's arm and pinning him to the ground, Sgt Walker then calmly called his colleagues at nearby Bilston Street police station and uniformed officers turned up to take over.



Sgt Walker, of West Midlands Police, had been walking down Castle Street, in the city centre, at around 3.45pm, when he pounced on the suspected crook. But a modest Sgt Walker said today that he was just doing his job.

'I was just passing at the time. The lad was arrested on suspicion of theft. It appeared he was trying to take something from someone's car. He will now be taken to Wolverhampton Police Station.'

Shopper Valerie Butler, from Bilston, West Mids, saw the drama unfold. She said: 'I was getting a pasty from Greggs when I saw this kid running away and this big guy chasing him.



'He caught up with him and pinned him down, with great ease really. Then the police turned up. It was quite dramatic. I didn't know what was going on but if he was a car thief then I'm really glad he got what he deserved. It wasn't his lucky day.'

Another, who did not wish to be named, added: 'The man is a credit to his profession, I know I wouldn't put my safety on the line for my boss, even during office hours. But these guys have a duty to the public, and I don't think they are given enough praise. The lad got what was coming to him.'

A spokesman for the force said in a statement that officers were continuing to question a man on suspicion of attempted theft. The statement added: 'An off-duty police officer saw a 26-year-old man attempting to break into a van on Castle Street in Wolverhampton. The officer gave chase and caught the offender, arresting him for the attempted theft of a motor vehicle. A 26-year-old man is currently in custody helping police with their inquiries.'

Source

Nice to see some pro-police news in the Daily Hate Mail for a change and good work by the Skipper!]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1247 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:21:58 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1247 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1245 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:01:51 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1245
Anyone wishing to become verified or discuss an issue about the site please contact the following:

For all Fire and medical personnel and issues contact Irish Medic.

For all police personnel contact WhitewaterAGS.

Other agencies take your pic between these two. If anyone contacts myself they may get a reply depending on the time and when Im online.

Update issues will have to wait until I get back]]>
Anyone wishing to become verified or discuss an issue about the site please contact the following:

For all Fire and medical personnel and issues contact Irish Medic.

For all police personnel contact WhitewaterAGS.

Other agencies take your pic between these two. If anyone contacts myself they may get a reply depending on the time and when Im online.

Update issues will have to wait until I get back]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1239 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:44:02 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1239
I work nights in Dublin City Centre, and whilst i'm not a member of the ES i do still be out on the streets.

Saturday night i seen an unmarked car pull up in Temple Bar and out got a plain clothes garda to see if a uniformed member needed any assistance with a drunk. I noticed at this point that the plain clothes garda was carrying a gun at his hip. I was a bit taken aback because there was no indication that either the garda or his partner, who was getting out of their unmarked car, were members of the RSU. Anyway, i shelved the experience of seeing an armed member of AGS, which for me, was a first.

This morning as i was making my way through the city centre again i noticed another plain clothes member of AGS with a gun at his hip. This time, he was heading for a well deserved coffee in MacDonalds. We all need our breaks

So my question is, are there far more armed Gardai than we are led to believe? I was under the impression that you'd know if a Garda was armed by their uniform. But i probably inherited that impression from the medias portrayal of the RSU.

On both occasions these members appeared to be on a regular plain clothes partrol through the city centre, one in temple bar on a busy saturday night, and the other on a busy shopping street on a sunday morning.

Just interested. It'd be nice to hear that Gardai are adaquetly armed.]]>
I work nights in Dublin City Centre, and whilst i'm not a member of the ES i do still be out on the streets.

Saturday night i seen an unmarked car pull up in Temple Bar and out got a plain clothes garda to see if a uniformed member needed any assistance with a drunk. I noticed at this point that the plain clothes garda was carrying a gun at his hip. I was a bit taken aback because there was no indication that either the garda or his partner, who was getting out of their unmarked car, were members of the RSU. Anyway, i shelved the experience of seeing an armed member of AGS, which for me, was a first.

This morning as i was making my way through the city centre again i noticed another plain clothes member of AGS with a gun at his hip. This time, he was heading for a well deserved coffee in MacDonalds. We all need our breaks

So my question is, are there far more armed Gardai than we are led to believe? I was under the impression that you'd know if a Garda was armed by their uniform. But i probably inherited that impression from the medias portrayal of the RSU.

On both occasions these members appeared to be on a regular plain clothes partrol through the city centre, one in temple bar on a busy saturday night, and the other on a busy shopping street on a sunday morning.

Just interested. It'd be nice to hear that Gardai are adaquetly armed.]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1237 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:16:17 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1237
You are travelling in the direction of the arrow. The road that you are travelling on is B. A smaller road A is directly in front of you and to your left at the crossroads is a factory entrance C .


This is a real setting, the question is. If you wish to travel road A do you indicate left to leave the main road?

  road question.png (Size: 10.4 KB / Downloads: 0) ]]>
You are travelling in the direction of the arrow. The road that you are travelling on is B. A smaller road A is directly in front of you and to your left at the crossroads is a factory entrance C .


This is a real setting, the question is. If you wish to travel road A do you indicate left to leave the main road?

  road question.png (Size: 10.4 KB / Downloads: 0) ]]> http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1235 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:57:04 +0000 http://www.emergencyservicesforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1235
Can anyone tell me about the restrictions on the use of Garage/Trade plates? I have been looking for legislation etc but cannot find anything. I can barely remember from the Garda College the restrictions. Any info appreciated like use of plates, hours of use, purpose of use etc

Thanks in advance.]]>
Can anyone tell me about the restrictions on the use of Garage/Trade plates? I have been looking for legislation etc but cannot find anything. I can barely remember from the Garda College the restrictions. Any info appreciated like use of plates, hours of use, purpose of use etc

Thanks in advance.]]>