08-05-2007, 10:58 AM
A story for you, happened yesterday, and got me a little annoyed...
As many of you know Im a copper, and I was Policing Brighton & Hove Prode yesterday. I was part of a "Cycle team" (Oooo, get me!) who was going with the parade through the streets. So we get to the very end of the parade at the part and a Superintendent (very senior rank) stops me and says there is an offence banner in the parade and he wanted me to go and get rid of it. So I grab 3 others PC's and we walk down the parade. There were a couple of girls with a banner saying "C*nts not Cops" (only with the star replaced to make a very naughty word!). I still dont know what the poster was getting at but anyway that word isnt appropriate for a parade where kids and others are watching. So we say, put the banner down...and then what followed can only be described as a tug of war between 3 police and 2 ladies. V embarrassing and it stopped the parade for a short time. Other people tried to join in saying "This is the one day of the year we can express ourselves, left the banner up". Anyway, we won the parade and I proceeded to walk very quickly away with the banner in my hand.
My point is why do some of out community feel it necessary to use language like that in a parade that is proud of it attraction to familys as well as the gay community. Not only is it illegal (Section 5 of the Public Order Act if you are interested!) but it was the only incident in what was a brilliant day for the community.
Comments or arguements welcomed.
Ed x
PS. If the 2 ladies are on this forum and see this post no embarrassment intended, just wanted to vent!
As many of you know Im a copper, and I was Policing Brighton & Hove Prode yesterday. I was part of a "Cycle team" (Oooo, get me!) who was going with the parade through the streets. So we get to the very end of the parade at the part and a Superintendent (very senior rank) stops me and says there is an offence banner in the parade and he wanted me to go and get rid of it. So I grab 3 others PC's and we walk down the parade. There were a couple of girls with a banner saying "C*nts not Cops" (only with the star replaced to make a very naughty word!). I still dont know what the poster was getting at but anyway that word isnt appropriate for a parade where kids and others are watching. So we say, put the banner down...and then what followed can only be described as a tug of war between 3 police and 2 ladies. V embarrassing and it stopped the parade for a short time. Other people tried to join in saying "This is the one day of the year we can express ourselves, left the banner up". Anyway, we won the parade and I proceeded to walk very quickly away with the banner in my hand.
My point is why do some of out community feel it necessary to use language like that in a parade that is proud of it attraction to familys as well as the gay community. Not only is it illegal (Section 5 of the Public Order Act if you are interested!) but it was the only incident in what was a brilliant day for the community.
Comments or arguements welcomed.
Ed x
PS. If the 2 ladies are on this forum and see this post no embarrassment intended, just wanted to vent!