As I was sitting listening to our Met borough Olympics briefing the other day it struck me that the requirement for duties was quite high. I believe the figure that was mentioned was every special was being asked to do 4 duties. Given that half my borough does sod-all, that means the remaining half have to do 8 duties to hit the target... That got me annoyed.
If Specials aren't going offer their services in the 'hour of need' (more like three months of need), should they be booted out swiftly afterwards ?? I think so.
1 votes
Kick out Specials who don't volunteer for Olympics?
Started by
sarin
, Mar 06 2012 12:57 AM
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71 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 06 March 2012 - 12:59 AM
Should be looked at why they can't make up the necessary shifts, before any hastey action is taken!!
#3
Posted 06 March 2012 - 01:07 AM
POPULAR
Utter rubbish. I'll be doing two solid weeks. But if it were a matter of family, job, specials look what's on the last point on the list. I can give the time but those that can't, can't. Specialling doesn't pay the bills, doesn't feed my son, doesn't tidy up the house.
With regards to hour of need, this event has been in the offing for literally years. The MPS have ramped up specials on the basis that people will want to help. If people can't help, they can't.
Would you really kick people out with say 10 years service who might work in their day jobs doing something directly related to the Olympics just because they didn't do 4 shifts? Seriously I'm glad you're not in charge of recruitment and retention.
With regards to hour of need, this event has been in the offing for literally years. The MPS have ramped up specials on the basis that people will want to help. If people can't help, they can't.
Would you really kick people out with say 10 years service who might work in their day jobs doing something directly related to the Olympics just because they didn't do 4 shifts? Seriously I'm glad you're not in charge of recruitment and retention.
Edited by WhatAmIDoing, 06 March 2012 - 01:16 AM.
#4
Posted 06 March 2012 - 01:39 AM
POPULAR
As I was sitting listening to our Met borough Olympics briefing the other day it struck me that the requirement for duties was quite high. I believe the figure that was mentioned was every special was being asked to do 4 duties. Given that half my borough does sod-all, that means the remaining half have to do 8 duties to hit the target... That got me annoyed.
If Specials aren't going offer their services in the 'hour of need' (more like three months of need), should they be booted out swiftly afterwards ?? I think so.
I hate this attitude and I feel it is everything wrong with the Specials. Guess what, I work when I want to-that was the whole point of my joining the Specials. The Olympics are the biggest waste of money since the Millennium Dome and I have no interest in it. If I wanted to help police it, I would have joint the neighbourhood Olympic team. My hours are not dictated to me because you think me and the majority of officers are lazy.
‘Hour of need’ what a load of rubbish. The riots were an hour of need, not a pre-planned sporting event.
Jog on fella.
Edited by Cheetah, 06 March 2012 - 07:17 AM.
Font changed for ease of reading & Profanity removed
#5
Posted 06 March 2012 - 02:37 AM
Like the others have said- just because an SC can't fulfill a certain amout of hour around the Olympics doesn't mean they should be kicked out.
There is a reasonable expectation that most SC that have been recruited within the past year or so would be expected to help out at Olympic time (I know Staffs are flying through all the recruitment stages- some will be training withing 4 months of applying), but just because they can't doesn't mean they can't be specials. I have no doubt that some didn't expect to be trained by the Olympics, and it's just chance that they applied when recruitment went into overdrive- should someone be punished for that? Absolutely not.
Just because half of your SCs don't do any duties (which is when they should be/are looked at for being kicked out) doesn't mean that the other half that regularly do shifts should be penalised if they can't make the 'quota' for whatever reason.
There is a reasonable expectation that most SC that have been recruited within the past year or so would be expected to help out at Olympic time (I know Staffs are flying through all the recruitment stages- some will be training withing 4 months of applying), but just because they can't doesn't mean they can't be specials. I have no doubt that some didn't expect to be trained by the Olympics, and it's just chance that they applied when recruitment went into overdrive- should someone be punished for that? Absolutely not.
Just because half of your SCs don't do any duties (which is when they should be/are looked at for being kicked out) doesn't mean that the other half that regularly do shifts should be penalised if they can't make the 'quota' for whatever reason.
#6
Posted 06 March 2012 - 03:03 AM
I hate this attitude and I feel it is everything wrong with the Specials. Guess what, I work when I want to-that was the whole point of my joining the Specials. The Olympics are the biggest waste of money since the Millennium Dome and I have no interest in it. If I wanted to help police it, I would have joint the neighbourhood Olympic team. My hours are not dictated to me because you think me and the majority of officers are lazy.
'Hour of need' what a load of rubbish. The riots were an hour of need, not a pre-planned sporting event.
Jog on fella.
Agreed. Likelihood is that 90% of specials doing Olympic aid will just be really cheap stewards directing traffic/giving directions to the nearest toilet. Not why I joined.
#7
Posted 06 March 2012 - 05:24 AM
If Specials aren't going offer their services in the 'hour of need' (more like three months of need), should they be booted out swiftly afterwards ?? I think so.
Are you for real? Guess what - I'll be working for the Ambulance Service by then and I expect they'll be busy too. I'll still be performing Specials duties but no more than I usually do. But you think I should be booted out for not going the extra mile for the Olympics? How long exactly have you been a Special?
As long as people commit to the minimum hours they agreed to when they sign up it makes absolutely no difference if they volunteer during the Olympics specifically. No doubt Specials will be asked to provide assistance, and many will happily provide it, but I find the attitude of the OP towards those that don't to be ignorant at best.
Incidentally I notice the OP has a picture of a toilet on their profile, which I think probably goes some way to explaining where they get their ideas from.
#8
Posted 06 March 2012 - 08:17 AM
As I was sitting listening to our Met borough Olympics briefing the other day it struck me that the requirement for duties was quite high. I believe the figure that was mentioned was every special was being asked to do 4 duties. Given that half my borough does sod-all, that means the remaining half have to do 8 duties to hit the target... That got me annoyed.
If Specials aren't going offer their services in the 'hour of need' (more like three months of need), should they be booted out swiftly afterwards ?? I think so.
Hello mouth here comes foot!!!!!!!!!!
#9
Posted 06 March 2012 - 08:22 AM
Just a thought - lets deal with the officers who are not performing duties before the Games?
I think some of the comments are a little harsh here, but I have to say the idea of kicking someone out for not volunteering for a particular aid is a little strong. Also you need to remember that backfilling also counts as a Games shift (Met.)
We should encourage officers to work the Olympics, however, we are volunteers and therefore have some say over what we come in for.
I think some of the comments are a little harsh here, but I have to say the idea of kicking someone out for not volunteering for a particular aid is a little strong. Also you need to remember that backfilling also counts as a Games shift (Met.)
We should encourage officers to work the Olympics, however, we are volunteers and therefore have some say over what we come in for.
#10
Posted 06 March 2012 - 08:46 AM
You know, these sort of comments really worried me when applying.
I have a baby and one on the way, i work 9-5:30 but really want to do what I can as a special.
I have a baby and one on the way, i work 9-5:30 but really want to do what I can as a special.
#11
Posted 06 March 2012 - 08:52 AM
Just a thought - lets deal with the officers who are not performing duties before the Games?
I think some of the comments are a little harsh here, but I have to say the idea of kicking someone out for not volunteering for a particular aid is a little strong. Also you need to remember that backfilling also counts as a Games shift (Met.)
We should encourage officers to work the Olympics, however, we are volunteers and therefore have some say over what we come in for.
Indeed I agree on all points. Specials not performing their hours / duties is indeed an issue, but a separate issue.
I wouldn't exactly describe the Olympics as the Met's 'hour of need'. It's been an operation long in the making and I'm sure the Met will be well prepared, and the support that Specials will provide will no doubt be a very welcome extra.
#12
Posted 06 March 2012 - 08:52 AM
Indeed - and you can as long as you do your committed average of 16 hours per month (200 per year)You know, these sort of comments really worried me when applying.
I have a baby and one on the way, i work 9-5:30 but really want to do what I can as a special.
#13
Posted 06 March 2012 - 09:23 AM
I hate this attitude and I feel it is everything wrong with the Specials. Guess what, I work when I want to-that was the whole point of my joining the Specials. The Olympics are the biggest waste of money since the Millennium Dome and I have no interest in it. If I wanted to help police it, I would have joint the neighbourhood Olympic team. My hours are not dictated to me because you think me and the majority of officers are lazy.
‘Hour of need’ what a load of rubbish. The riots were an hour of need, not a pre-planned sporting event.
Jog on fella.
The Millenium Dome is now a massive money earner and the largest multi-purpose indoor arena in Europe, regenerating a massive area of previously unuseable land. Things change.
Special's who don't do their hours at any time should be dealt with, not just for not assisting in the Olympics.
Not sure what people mean by "Special's will just be used to direct people and traffic". That's what the majority of police officers will be doing at the Olympics, Special or Regular. It's not like Special's will be stuck in the middle of nowhere whilst the Regs are at the 100m finish line....
#14
BulletDodger
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Posted 06 March 2012 - 09:34 AM
I contribute an average of 80 hours of my month to the Special Constabulary and I have no interest in getting involved in the Olympics, do I deserve the boot?
#15
Posted 06 March 2012 - 09:37 AM
As an employee of LOCOG (The Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising committee) I won't be carrying out any duties over the Olympics .... Should my eleven years of service be disregarded ?
James
James
#17
Posted 06 March 2012 - 09:43 AM
Looks like Captain Foot in Mouth has left the conversation... Thankfully.
Edited by Adamski, 06 March 2012 - 09:43 AM.
#18
Posted 06 March 2012 - 10:39 AM
As I was sitting listening to our Met borough Olympics briefing the other day it struck me that the requirement for duties was quite high. I believe the figure that was mentioned was every special was being asked to do 4 duties. Given that half my borough does sod-all, that means the remaining half have to do 8 duties to hit the target... That got me annoyed.
If Specials aren't going offer their services in the 'hour of need' (more like three months of need), should they be booted out swiftly afterwards ?? I think so.
If half the specials on your Borough does "sod all" as you put it then your annoyance should be directed at your Borough supervision and I would respectfully suggest that if you feel so strongly about the matter you give them a hand to resolve the issue before the Olympics.
From a personal point of view I have no interest in the Olympics as a sporting event and even less interest in L3 or L2 public order policing, however there are many Special Constables who are looking forward to policing this event and I hope they get the type of duties and postings that they want and will enjoy. Indeed many have taken leave for their day jobs to get involved.
In the scheme of things volunteering comes after family and work and not all officers have lots of time to give up or leave to take.
For me I will be working over the Olympic period and not doing much volunteering however I might do a couple of backfilling duties if I can.
If an officer is not able do duties during the Olympics or at any other time then this should be a matter between the officer and their line manager and to suggest that people get kicked out for not volunteering for a particular event is a little over the top.
#19
Posted 06 March 2012 - 11:58 AM
The Olympics will be one of our busiest periods at work, and as such I won't be policing much (if at all!) during the Olympics themselves as I will be working at all sorts of hours for my paid employment.
I will be volunteering during the Paralympics, as much as I usually do. I can't afford to drop everything else in my life to police during the Olympics, and I won't be made to feel bad about it either.
I am planning on being a special for a considerable time to come (I have no plans of becoming a reg!) and I'm sure in time my dedication and commitment will more than make up for not being able to do a couple of shifts during a sports event.
I will be volunteering during the Paralympics, as much as I usually do. I can't afford to drop everything else in my life to police during the Olympics, and I won't be made to feel bad about it either.
I am planning on being a special for a considerable time to come (I have no plans of becoming a reg!) and I'm sure in time my dedication and commitment will more than make up for not being able to do a couple of shifts during a sports event.
Edited by Kellym82, 06 March 2012 - 11:59 AM.
#21
Posted 06 March 2012 - 01:15 PM
Not sure what people mean by "Special's will just be used to direct people and traffic". That's what the majority of police officers will be doing at the Olympics, Special or Regular. It's not like Special's will be stuck in the middle of nowhere whilst the Regs are at the 100m finish line....
I didn't say Specials to distinguish between specials and regulars, I said specials because we're talking about specials.
#23
Posted 06 March 2012 - 01:56 PM
Unbelievable.
You have picked the right username sarin old chap as you have certainly caused irritation and got on peoples nerves.
I'll sleep on this and post my thoughts when I've calmed down a bit. The Olympics affect forces such as mine too even though I'm not Met.
You have picked the right username sarin old chap as you have certainly caused irritation and got on peoples nerves.
I'll sleep on this and post my thoughts when I've calmed down a bit. The Olympics affect forces such as mine too even though I'm not Met.
#24
Posted 06 March 2012 - 02:21 PM
‘Hour of need’ what a load of rubbish. The riots were an hour of need, not a pre-planned sporting event.
Hear hear
#25
Posted 06 March 2012 - 02:44 PM
The Millennium Dome is now a massive money earner and the largest multi-purpose indoor arena in Europe, regenerating a massive area of previously unusable land. Things change.
Special's who don't do their hours at any time should be dealt with, not just for not assisting in the Olympics.
Not sure what people mean by "Special's will just be used to direct people and traffic". That's what the majority of police officers will be doing at the Olympics, Special or Regular. It's not like Special's will be stuck in the middle of nowhere whilst the Regs are at the 100m finish line....
It gets my back up when people criticize the amount of hours a Special does. My answer will always be the same: current circumstances. I don't currently have a full time job, I am looking most days for work in my area of expertise-so I work full time as a Special until I find full time work.
The Dome was paid for with public money, yours and mine and O2 bought it for pennies and now turn over a massive profit. The Olympic site has cost millions, literally borrowed money from you and me that we will pay for over the next 100 years as council tax, income tax, VAT ect all rise while wages dip to an all-time low.
Specials not preforming their minimum hours must of course be looked into, but have some perspective rather than draconional rules that penalise Specials instead of motivate them.
A few SC friends of mine are on the Olympic policing team-I can confirm they are free security guards, watching CCTV, patrolling fences and are receiving nothing in return. They literally are traffic dollies and toilet attendants.
Edited by Special Dibble, 06 March 2012 - 03:42 PM.
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