BASC lodges IOPC complaint over Merseyside Police comments

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC has lodged an official complaint with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following comments made by Merseyside Police around legally-held firearms.

A newspaper carried quotes that the force had: “work ongoing to remove and reduce the amount of lawfully-owned firearms across Merseyside so that they don’t fall into the wrong hands”, and that “the force is prevention driven so we are looking at removing that threat before it emanates”.

BASC stated in its complaint that the comments were both intimidatory and discriminatory towards certificate holders.

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[Good shot?]

“the force is prevention driven “ but no coppers on the streets!!

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by Good shot?

[enfieldspares]

Pro-active in being reactive at bloomin' last. Thank you. 

[Spr1985]

Can we as sgc/fac holders add any weight to the official complaint that has been made? 
 

absolutely disgusting that they have insinuated that those vetted and deemed acceptable (by them) to hold shotguns/firearms etc are responsible for criminals holding them illegally. 

[Genghis]

24 minutes ago, Spr1985 said:

Can we as sgc/fac holders add any weight to the official complaint that has been made? 
 

absolutely disgusting that they have insinuated that those vetted and deemed acceptable (by them) to hold shotguns/firearms etc are responsible for criminals holding them illegally. 

The article that it was published in had originally made the quote sound even worse than it is.

 

 

[old man]

Sadly iots of  forces seem to be going off piste?

The Home Office Guidance seems relegated to the waste bin?

[TIGHTCHOKE]

1 hour ago, old man said:

Sadly iots of  forces seem to be going off piste?

The Home Office Guidance seems relegated to the waste bin?

The Home Office GUIDANCE should be better and turned in to LAW rather than let these fools decide which bits they want to follow and whatever they feel they might add.

[Wymondley]

 

4 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

“work ongoing to remove and reduce the amount of lawfully-owned firearms across Merseyside so that they don’t fall into the wrong hands”, and that “the force is prevention driven so we are looking at removing that threat before it emanates”.

The absurdity of that statement beggars belief, presumably they'll be pressing for a reduction in the amount of cars owned in case they get stolen and used in crime.

Unfortunately, in my experience the general level of intelligence within the Police force is actually quite low.

[Good shot?]

“Unfortunately, in my experience the general level of intelligence within the Police force is actually quite low.”

I thought that a high percentage of the high ranking police were brought in at degree level ie University educated. So is that more likely the problem, as I believe the problem is in the top ranks and will permeate downwards.

[Gordon R]

Good shot? - a salient point.

[oowee]

1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

The Home Office GUIDANCE should be better and turned in to LAW rather than let these fools decide which bits they want to follow and whatever they feel they might add.

^^^^^ This for me is the nub of the problem. Too much discretion on a publicly sensitive topic. 

[old man]

20 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

The Home Office GUIDANCE should be better and turned in to LAW rather than let these fools decide which bits they want to follow and whatever they feel they might add.

That would be a starting point, however "fools" maybe doesn't cover this? It's a driven attack against legitimate holders for their agenda?

They can  only police by consent, this doesn't help anyone?

[Scully]

21 hours ago, Wymondley said:

 

The absurdity of that statement beggars belief, presumably they'll be pressing for a reduction in the amount of cars owned in case they get stolen and used in crime.

Unfortunately, in my experience the general level of intelligence within the Police force is actually quite low.

Exactly this. 
The comments are as ludicrous as they are atrocious! Merseyside police have an abysmal record regarding combatting armed crime, and this mouthpiece is obviously trying to divert criticism of this fact by fooling the general public into believing they’re ‘on the ball’. They aren’t, and never have been. 

[Wymondley]

On 26/04/2023 at 20:02, Good shot? said:

I thought that a high percentage of the high ranking police were brought in at degree level ie University educated. So is that more likely the problem, as I believe the problem is in the top ranks and will permeate downwards.

I'd say a university education certainly provides a good deal of knowledge, that does not equate to intelligence, the ability to use that knowledge wisely.

I can only comment on my own dealings with the Police, but as I said earlier an awful lot of them came across as, to put it politely, not very bright, and that was across all ranks.

[Genghis]

I’d say my university education taught me how to write an essay and nothing more. I’ve learned far more through work.

[Robden]

Same as the so called "SMART motorways." Thought up by a person with a degree, but no REAL life experiences.

[Gordon R]

Smart motorways were invented by an imbecile who deserves a public flogging. It wasn't rocket science to see that someone would die. A number of deaths later and there are still idiots who defend them.

At some point in the future there will be a corporate manslaughter case.