The Death of the British Police Service
My last post outlined what I considered to be crocodile tears by our favourite ACPO Chairman, Sir Pete Fahy at the realisation that his own force has been in negotiation and consultation with a private security firm to patrol the streets of Manchester. I chose the title deliberately because I foresaw the outsourcing of further police duties to the private security industry. Despite Sir Pete protestations, it appears that other Chiefs of Police are about to sign off great swathes of police duties to the Security industry which could include G4S. In fact, West Midlands and Surrey Police are about to save money by awarding a contract to the private security industry worth £1.5 BILLION. That’s right that is £1,500,000,000.
Of course our beloved Tom Winsor, the government hatchet, Yes man is in line for his role as Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary which is the reward for stabbing us all in our backs. What is even more idiotic is the fact that, despite protestations from all levels of police service including those ACPO turncoats, Theresa May and other Ministers believe he is right for the job because he studied the police in compiling his report. It is his very report that has indicated he is the last person who should be considered.
He is also a partner in a law firm called White and Case who are advising G4S on winning a £200 million contract with Lincolnshire police also mentioned in the Reuter’s report. Even if it isn’t corrupt, surely there is a conflict of interest!!? The HMIC is employed by the firm attempting to win the award for the police duties that the HMIC is responsible for. If this was a company takeover then the Competition Commission would be jumping up and down all over them. Is this a bit like Barclays setting their own interest rates? Congratulations G4S on the award of all the contracts. Maybe I’ll put a bet on!
If the British Public don’t get a grip and complain loudly then the next time you drive past a building siite or walk into a town centre office, the bloke in the portacabin or behind the desk opening and closing the doors/gates will be the bloke you rely upon to keep you safe and the one to report your crime to. You have been warned. It is happening here and now.
There has to be some concern about the action of the Federation here. The riots, the well attended march, the poll concerning the right to strike, won’t move this government. The Federation is fiddling while the police service burns. Police staff and officers are losing their jobs and the Met rank and file are bracing themselves for swathes of redundancies post Olympics. G4S and other global security companies are licking their lips in anticipation of rich pickings to come especially with the rise and rise of Winsor. Already some of their employees have access to sensitive police intelligence systems.
The Federation hold the ultimate whip hand. There will never be a right to strike but officers carry out driving and firearms duties voluntarily. It’s doubtfull whether the government would let the situation descend into the chaos that would result from the withdrawal of goodwill. If that goodwill was withdrawn we would witness the amusing spectacle of senior officers attempting to provide some sort of service at the sharp end while what’s left of the army might be able to guard embassies and provide some sort of protection for individuals, but armed, intelligence led operations ???
I agree totally. I feel an attack of the Blue Flu coming on. I hear it may reach an epidemic. I wonder how UK plc will cope if several thousand officers succumbed to this extremely infectious disease? Hope you don’t catch it as well.
Surely you’re not doubting the ability of G4S to keep us all safe? Especially after their Olympics success and now that they might be carrying out interrogations for the police.