The British Police
 

Pointing out the minority does not represent the majority.

With my work in law I could point out up to 60 potential-terrorists, several fraudsters, etc, and then post the findings on a forum and expect it to mean something about everyone. It would mean nothing about everyone, as this video means nothing about all of the British Police.

It certainly means their recruiting standards are too low. It's not the invasion of privacy, but the downright stupidity that is shocking.

And hey, I'm not passing judgement on the whole profession, but there are far more and far more serious examples of abuse of power out there when in such a profession there should be none (yes, i know this is not realistic).

If you really care about upholding the standards of the profession, shouldn't you be more concerned about two officers blatently acting like dicks?

And hey again, it's really just a bit of relief for anyone whose ever been pissed off with mindless displays of authority.

Those officers were in the wrong in saying that recording the police is an offence; recording anyone is just annoying :) But yes as a member of a law enforcement agency, it isnt good to have this kind of thing and the higher level corruption etc.

To be fair, the guy in the video clearly has something against the Police, perhaps he feels that this behaviour is everywhere most of the time (it isn't). That doesnt really matter anyway.

I dont wish to defend the Police here, I'm not a police officer, I dont report to a Chief Superintendant etc etc, I and my agancy operate beyond the normal Police - and therefore I see more severe apparent abuse of position by the nature of the crime I/we deal with. I suppose I am hardened to the low-level stuff like this.

I dont wish to play stuff like this down, it's important, but what I'm saying is this kind of video sullys the Police as a whole entity - read the comments to that and other videos - and Police keep this country above water. I want the public to look at the POlice and all law agencies with respect, pride and if necessary, fear.

I want people that use the internet for illegal ends to be afraid of me watching their usage, I want muggers to be afriad of getting smacked by a baton, I want terrorist to be afraid to come into this country, I want everyday people to know that they can't break the law. Sullying the name of the Police just makes this harder and lessens the respect for them.

There is more 'Police abuse' stuff in the many forms of media than there is 'Police hero' stuff. This should be the other way around, cos thats how it is the real life, outside of YouTube and one-sided videos.

The day we get a weekly hour-long show as a counterpoint to Cops you might have a valid point there.

Otherwise I agree for the most part.

Except to say that if I were a serious criminal and this is what I thought I was up against, I wouldn't be particularly deterred.

The law goes beyond beat bobbies ;)

If you were a serious criminal you'd be matched with serious law enforcement. We want you to think you have nothing to fear :)

The big organisations, Serious Organised Crime Agency, Special Branch, MI5&6, are fortunate not to get much press at all, which is ideal. Operations happen all over the country most days - I would say more....basically the idea is you don't know you're in trouble until you are arrested.