SPECTRE'S ask a retired cop anything

[Bricktop]

I grew up, and realised that what seemed like a good idea at 16 (and probably was), was not so sensible at 35.

[Anonymous]

Yes.



There is an internal investigation unit.



Also, an Ombudsman's Office with powers to review and investigate.

That's almost the same as in Canada SPECTRE.

[Bricktop]

Yes, everything about Australia is the same as Canada. We are twins, I think.

[RW]

How did your family deal with you being a cop?  Was it stressful for them?

[Bricktop]

Very.



It was one of the factors that told me I wasn't going to put them through this for another 20 odd years...the benefits and rewards did not add up.

[RW]

I can only imagine the fretting.

[Bricktop]

It wasn't good.



Plus kids at school getting taunted and bullied.



I don't miss a day.

[RW]

Kids with a police officer for a dad were bullied?!?!

[cc]

As I don't know at what point in your life you  came to Oz, I'll ask if you were police in UK?, Oz? or both?

[keeper]

Did you get to carry a side arm?

[Bricktop]

As I don't know at what point in your life you  came to Oz, I'll ask if you were police in UK?, Oz? or both?

Oz.

Did you get to carry a side arm?

Always. Sometimes something more..er...persuasive...

[cc]

Thanks for your reply.



Aw. So you have spent most or all of your adult life in Oz, thus likely becoming more an Oz than a Brit?



I realize it is a hard life in many ways for a cop and for his family. I have a lot of respect for the sacrifice of those who do it.

 Because of so many who will take advantage of others in so many vile ways,  there would be no civilized society without authority

[Frood]

Did you report yourself or did one of your coworkers?

No, I reported myself.



I needed the numbers for end of month.



Were you always this stupid, or did you experience a major car or industrial accident that left you with brain damage?

Take it to the insult section, Gramps.  ac_razz

[Anonymous]

Did you ever see a fellow police officer use excessive force?

Interesting question.



Yes.



But any force can be deemed "excessive". It depends on the situation and circumstance.



They were different days, and community expectations were not as they are today. However, nothing on the scale of force employed by US officers...nowhere near it. And any who did use excessive force were frequently arrested and charged with assault.



These days, I believe it is rare.

When I was about 20, I saw a white and an East Indian cop beating the shit out of an Aboriginal guy who was in cuffs at the time. I don't what he did, but he was obviously no threat to the two cops. Lots of similar stories like that right across this frozen land.

[Bricktop]

I think the Australia attitude of fair play tempers cops doing something quite so brutal here. It happens, no doubt. But once a guy is in handcuffs, then no further violence should be necessary.



For a start, those fucking things HURT.