Saturday 12 May 2012

Not All Coppers Are Bastards.

Police Constable Wilson frightened me. I used to try and avoid being anywhere near him. Sometimes though it wasn't possible. Especially when he came calling at the house looking for me. Which occurrence meant I was in trouble again. PC Wilson didn't do social calls. At least not to nuisance 14 year olds. Which due to the number of his visits I presume was the category I belonged to.
PC Wilson thought nothing of giving a recalcitrant youth a clip around the ear. When I say clip, what I really mean is a clout to send your head spinning. He would dish out this punishment in full view of the parents of said troublemaker, and not a word of complaint would he hear, from either party.
Some policemen were very kindly. I'm sure this gentleman was.
Can you imagine the hue and cry there would be today if a Police officer laid a hand on a young person? It would probably end the officers career.
Now this is where I might surprise you, because I agree with PC Wilson handing out his summary justice. In my opinion PC Wilson, by his no nonsense approach, probably saved many a young person from a life of crime.
There were many PC Wilsons when I was a boy in the fifties and early sixties. They were everywhere. They knew how to deal with young upstarts. None of this asking nicely nonsense. In those days the police would dish out a bloody good hiding and still issue you with a summons to court. Where another dose of punishment would be given. Tough justice, but as I say, effective in nipping problems in the bud.
It didn't work out that way for me, but perhaps I was a slow learner. Or more likely as I have mentioned before, a stubborn little tike!
Another thing. You only spoke back to a policeman once. Then wallop! More summary punishment. Lesson learned.
Kids don't fear the police these days. They know the police can't touch them. Can't even speak to them unless an appropriate adult is present. Usually the appropriate adult is the kids mum or dad. In most cases totally inappropriate, and as thick as two short planks!
Bring back PC Wilson I say. Allow the policeman to apply a well aimed backhander with his gloved fist! It would save a hell of a lot of time and money, and turn any 'wanna be gangsta' from a life of petty crime, or much worse.
How the heck did it all go so wrong? Oh yes of course. Political bloody correctness that's how.
Some people might disagree with my views on this matter. That is perfectly all right. We all are entitled to our opinions.
To explain the title of this post, this is not the article I intended to write when I sat here this evening. I got sidetracked. It was going to feature PC Wilson though. The nice side of the man. Providing I don't get sidetracked again I shall tell you more next time.

12 comments:

  1. I can understand how you feel. Unless youngsters are shown the right way (and it might take a good knock up side of the head) then it is the wrong way that they will go.
    And I am sorry, but I can't think too much about what you wrote, I was too distracted by your header photo. Is that your art? I really like it!

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  2. Yes that is one of my paintings Kay. Glad you like it. Distracted from my writing. Probably a good thing.

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  3. I must heartily disagree with you. No one lays a hand on my children! I firmly believe in discipline but hitting my child is out of the question. Unfortunately my children were raised in an area where police corruption was the rule. Needless to say they have small regard for the authority that an officer of the law should expect. Before anyone draws the conclusion that my children ran amok, I must tell you that they are all good, productive citizens that I can be proud of.

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    1. You have just inspired another post Emma.

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  4. That is a beautiful painting; it's like I could touch my computer screen and feel the water. Thank you for stopping by to ask how I was. Today is the first day that I did not feel broken and have hopefully turned the corner to getting better.

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  5. Well kids during our days listen to our parents and teachers and the policeman. Now a days kids were thought by so many that no can can hit them, not the polices, the teachers and the parents so they some how took advantages of it. Not sure if this is all going the right way or not but I had never lay hands on my children. I find more spoiled brats now then before. Touch wood my two sons turn out alright. I normally would talk to them, make them realize what is right and what is not. Well there is no wrong or right way to raise our kids but just hope they grew to be a good person.

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  6. I agree with you, John. I remember the fear I felt when I did something wrong and the local bobby caught me. My trouble was simple scrumping, nothing more serious. But you know, I was more fearful of the hiding I'd get at home when they knew what I'd been up to. My father would deal with things by talking about them but my mother would have knocked the living daylights out of me. That made me very careful of not getting into trouble outside the house. I wish there were more PC Wilsons around but that can no longer happen.

    Thanks for following my link to Mr Shife's blog.

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  7. Political bloody correctness is definitely overrated. I see it a lot in teaching! Coming over to London in a week's time. Would it freak you out too much if I called in to say hi. Would not be staying! Know you like your space from following your blog for a while now. Let me know on Facebook. Leaving New Zealand in 2 days.

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    1. Looking forward to it already Paul. Messaged you on FB.

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  8. Oh I have tales. Now you got me thinking of Sgt. Mank... a real honest to goodness BASTARD!

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  9. Yes, I think things are too hard these days and it is not doing the kids any favours and not helping them grow into responsible adults

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  10. I recall back in the day when we not only had a healthy fear of the law but also the neighbors, the teachers, the parents or any adult authority figure. Now kids don't care who you are.

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