Tesco and the Police

In August 2011 a number of employers released special constables from their day jobs so they could help in the aftermath of the riots and they received a letter of thanks. (just scroll down below the list of contents when you reach the page to August 2011)  Very public spirited too.    When I asked through the website Whatdotheyknowdotcom who were these employers and how many constables were involved from each employer they denied ever having sent such a letter.  Why has this got to be a secret? I don’t necessarily have anything against big busibness supporting the police but it has to be in the open, but if it is done in secret then confidence in the police is undermined. (I was amazed that Hertfordshire Police hadn’t removed this page – if readers cannot find it please email me. )

I have received information from the Met this morning which may interest Specials.  It may apply to any Special and just those working for one particular employer.  I’d think that some Specials may be surprised, if not shocked (assuming they are able to access this).

The Met had previously informed me

“When off duty in circumstances that require them to exercise their powers
as a Constable. In these circumstances the IBO must be contacted through
the Central Communications Command in order that the relevant MSC Manager
(regular Police Sergeant) is notified as soon as it is practicable to do
so. In addition, a report of any such act must be made as soon as possible
to the MSC Manager.”

and I asked a follow-up question.  They will not answer on grounds of cost,  but the following is from their explanation, quoted word-for-word, without breaks.  The highlighting is my own.

” This is based upon receiving the following response from the Metropolitan
Special Constabulary Operational Command Unit which is part of Territorial
Policing Headquarters:

The recording of off-duty arrests or incidents involving a Special
Constable are very much dependant and incumbent upon the individual involved to record the information themselves. To clarify this point, not all Special Constables who need to place themselves on duty would necessarily contact the IBO (Integrated Borough Operations) or contact their MSC Manager (regular Sergeant) as soon as it is practicable to do
so. It is a reasonable assumption that this policy is unfortunately not always followed. The recording of such information may take many forms.
For example:

A pocketbook entry after the incident has occurred;
A statement completed;
A Computer Aided Dispatch message created;
A crime report created;
An entry created on the online booking on/off duty computer system to show
the times the individual was engaged on duty for the purposes of dealing
with an arrest/incident. “

This leads to the question of whether there are cases where Specials don’t record incidents at all ?

Please don’t think I’ve got it in for Specials, they represent a vital part of the future of policing.  However there have to be proper controls.  I am quite sure that at least some who have commented on the current thread on PoliceSpecials.com would agree with this.

By the way it looks as though some potential readers of this blog may be blocked – if anyone has any information on this I’d be grateful.

I received this, via an intermediary,  from the Met’s Director of Resources today.

 ”Tesco’s policy is that police officers are encouraged to go into Tesco stores and facilities. They are given free access to all parts of Tesco stores, both within the public domain and those where only staff are allowed. This access includes staff canteens. However, they are required to pay for any food and drink bought in those canteens.

This policy is to encourage community contact with the police locally and does not contravene our Gifts and Hospitality Policy, and access to the canteens does not have to be recorded if no free hospitality is received.

I hope this clarifies the position”

Taken at face value if officers pay just a nominal sum for food and drink then they don’t have to declare it.  That wouldn’t just apply to Tesco that would apply anywhere!  I’m seeking clarification.  In any event staff canteens are usually subsidised so even if if officers pay the same prices as Tesco staff Tesco would be subsidising the police.  Maybe in a time of budget cuts we have no choice but to allow big business to subsidise the police but the subsidy should be declared.  That way the police will be less compromised.

Since a Tesco staff member pulled out a police badge on me when he suspected me (wrongly) of shoplfting I’ve been asking police forces across the country how many of their specials work for Tesco.  Thus far they are appear unable or unwilling to say. As Tesco have a policy of actively recruiting specials it wouldn’t surprise me if the total nationwide is well over a thousand, but I shouldn’t have to guess: it shouldn’t be a secret.

I’ve also asked the Home Office about their powers as follows

“Are special constables in paid employment with retail companies permitted to use their police powers of search if they suspect that someone has stolen from their employer?”

Although the 20 days given to reply have elapsed I have yet to get any sort of a response.  Seems like this is a tricky question – and one which doesn’t apply just to Tesco.

Update 27/3 After I sent a reminder they sent a response on the 21st day which didn’t answer the question at all.

To PoliceSpecials.com   Thank you for your interest. I can see some of the latest posters, AJ and  MoZsteR share my conerns that this may undermine public confidence in the police.   To some of the earlier ones I am not a member of Freedom Rebels  and I had not been shoplifting.

I can’t be quite sure about the number of cars which arrived at the home of the man wrongly suspected of shoplifting, but the public deserve to know.  Just read the following five quotes, no further commentary is required.  I am asking Wiltshire Police about this and about their Gifts and Hospitality Policy.  If you are concerned email your M.P.

“The Chief Constable of Wiltshire tells us the public should only call the force when absolutely necessary, as he introduces new working practises in order to save £15m over four years.”

BBC Wiltshire  3rd Oct 2011

“Tesco sends four police cars to arrest man who bought a curry”

“Wrong man nicked over stolen booze”

“Around 20 minutes after I get home four police cars turn up outside my house and as I answered the door they barged past me”

Metro/Wiltshire Express   6th March, 2012

“But let‟s say you were in a crash and the police couldn‟t respond because they were all in a Tesco‟s. Because they have given Tesco the priority because Tesco feeds them.”

Female, Merseyside

A Review of Police Relationships  Her Majesties Inspector of Constabulary, Dec 2011

“im a sc and work for tesco already, The managers allow the police to use the staff canteen for their breakfast, and they get they all have staff cards that allow them to eat much cheaper,, some mornings i see,, the pc,sgt and insp all eating together .”

lvs. PoliceSpecials.com 8^th Nov. 2009

“My local Tesco loves it when we come in on duty and its one of the places we have a sanctioned discount in the staff canteen, good times! “

JW84, PoliceSpecials.com on Oct 18 2009,

“Morrisons, well mine in Chippenham anyway, also had that! Police officers paid staff prices, instead of visitor prices!”

vickeryadam, PoliceSpecials.com 18 October 2009