I'm puzzled as to what other advice they can give really? There are far too many solo cops nowadays due to cut backs so the chances of being spoken to by a single guy is high.
If you're isolated when approached what other options do you have? If you've got time you could take a photo and quickly share it but if they are bad 'uns then they're not going to stand there waiting (for a photo or for you to phone someone).
If there are people about you could ask them to just keep an eye on proceedings for a moment and to video the encounter maybe but that would make (most) perps run anyway.
This whole job is heart breaking-for Sarah and her family and for the damage done to the frontline cops who are overwhelmingly the most brave and decent people you could meet and you have absolutely no reason to fear-unless you are engaging in criminal behaviour.
Couzens is a monster. Monsters exist in all walks of life. Should he have been outed before? Without doubt.
When I joined, police visited your house, spoke to your family.
That changed to phone calls.
Nowadays even that can be over looked.
One cannot excuse these failings-but there is undoubtedly a link between over a decade of cuts to police-600 police stations closed, tens of thousands of experienced officers gone under A19. Its quite often kids managing kids on the frontline-and for a starting salary of 19k for a relentless, hard job when you are more often than not single crewed.
Most police do their utmost to get off frontline uniformed work asap-the abuse, the risks, the endless jobs with no time to follow up and investigate; the long shifts, nights, weekends-and with increasing levels of violence towards police, its only getting harder.
This cannot simply be a political football, which results in a race to slag off police and put fear into every woman in this country.
There is opportunity for change:
Vetting needs a complete overhaul.
In my force you conducted integrity health checks with your staff as part of their appraisal-anyone putting offensive material on social media/whats app-must be sacked. Integrity and honesty underpins all that we do.
Training/Recruitment/Promotion processes are piece meal and often not fit for purpose-start with improving pay and conditions, return to proper disciplined regional training centres where drill is taught and exam failure has consequence. Thorough psychometric testing should be revisited throughout the probationary period aside regular assessment as a safety net.
Taking your equipment home was a disciplinary matter in my force-cuffs, cs, asp-should be locked away and secured at the officer's station-there is no reason to have it after work.
Nieighbourhood policing has all but vanised as a result of the cuts-this loses vital contact with the community and community leaders-all that is often left are response cops racing from one call to the next with no time to give a proper service.
Officers are predominately single crewed. This puts the officer in risk during every enounter with a criminal, at every stop, especially stopping a vehicle. There has always been a call from the ranks to double crew at all times-and this may be one positive to come from this awful crime. But it will need probably 40-60,000 new recruits-and that is expensive.
My advice to single women if stopped? Most times these will be low level-a stop in your car or an interation in the street or a shop for instance.
I'd ask them to confirm their identity; name, warrant number (ask to see the warrant card), their station and ask them to make an audible transmission on their radio. All officers would be happy to oblige. If in a vehicle, turn the engine off and remove the keys-officers will ask you to do this because several officers have been killed by being dragged by cars they have stopped.
An officer MUST be in uniform to stop a vehicle.
If in a secluded area whilst on foot ask to walk to a better lit and populated area.
You can also ask the officer to request another officer joins you-a male should not be searching a female.
I would advise against resisting arrest or running/driving off-because they are criminal offences (as is failing to stop a motor vehicle for a uniformed officer)-but there is nothing to prevent you asking the officer to follow you (if in car) to the nearest station or again asking another officer to join you.
I understand the Met have already moved to plain clothes officers working in pairs.
Couzens has tarnished the whole of the policing family. The fall out will and should be huge. It is my opinion that Cressida Dick should resign.
