I remember it very clearly, joining up, living out at Hendon, the studying, the exams...the whole interview thing. And finally getting through it all. The parade. And then realising how 15 weeks isn't enough training for anyone.
Still, here I am, many years later. Still doing the job. Of course, I didn't even dream of working at the Yard then. None of us did. We were happy just to get a posting, didn't care where.
Sherlock wants to be allowed to take something police-related into some sort of special show-and-tell type thing at school. He wanted a taser. Obviously that's not going to happen. So now he wants a baton.
For those who've never seen one. That's usually my only weapon, to protect myself, others, and if necessary incapacitate an assailant. No guns, tasers, or CS gas for us. Not normally. Obviously some officers do carry them - but as they're classed as a firearm, you have to have special training.
Danny is causing everyone a lot of trouble right now. I'm...not very happy. But as time machine construction is banned, I can't go back in time and tell his old man to put a sock on it. So... we're trying to talk some sense into him.
I think we're losing that battle.
I don't know how anyone can be so self-centred. How anyone can hold other people responsible for everything bad that's ever happened, and take no responsibility for themselves. And then turn on people who try to help.
I just don't know.
John has a day shift tomorrow. Wonder if I'll get to meet him at a crime scene, or in a custody suite... Not that I think anyone I arrest deserves him. :)
97 comments:
That video is great Greg :-)
That baton doesn't look like it would be much protection and yet I don't think I'd ever want to be on the receiving end of it!!
Good luck with Danny, I hope you all manage to make him see some sense about something and soon :-)
I looked at that video and thought "why did we ever wear clothes like that"?
Hope something is sorted out with Danny soon.
Have you found you've volunteered to go as Sherlock's 'show & tell' yet?
AnonyBob - no, it's fairly effective - just very short range!
SH - I'm sure John will tell me if Sherlock announces that I'm going to be somewhere ;)
yeah! not good having to get close enough for the baton but I guess some expert has worked out it balances safety for the police with safety of the offender in just the right way and don't we all just love experts? ;-)
Given that I was just reading a statistic saying that police officers with a lot of firearms training only hit what they're aiming at 18 percent of the time in a real-world situation, I expect the baton is a lot more accurate.
Gosh that video made me feel nostalgic though. Just look at the hair!
RSF - which country is that for? Given the types of situations here where firearms are deployed, I would be surprised if it were that low.
I don't know if this is the reason for rsf's statistics, but a police officer here (the sister of a former high school classmate, actually) told me that most of the shots they fire are for cover, and aren't meant to actually hit anything. (Of course, that also means they could hit, well, anything.)
Maybe you could just BE Sherlock's show-and-tell special thing! :D (I'm sure it's good to have a family-you-chose that wants and needs and appreciates you--and vice versa. :))
Did that dentist in the video really say 'go and bite somebody'?
Did you like it at Hendon?
I heard the dentist say that too! Made me grin.
L, the statistic was for the NYPD, and I found the article online over here: http://swampland.time.com/2013/01/16/your-brain-in-a-shootout-guns-fear-and-flawed-instincts/
(although I was reading it in the magazine in a doctor's office last week. Only six month's old, not bad!)
RR, I'd worry about shots "for cover" because they have to go somewhere, and hit something -- or someone! I might have been willing to accept that as a risk when I was younger, but now it seems less acceptable to me, personally. Not that I'll ever be in a position to make that kind of decision, I hope!
rsf, yes, that's what I meant by they could hit anything--and she said it so casually! (Of course, she wasn't a patrol officer any more when she told me that, so I suppose she could shrug it off as someone else's problem.) It was a number of years ago, so I can hope they've rethought that, but who knows.
"Sound in tooth, eye, and limb." I assumed you had good teeth, L, but I didn't know they'd been certified. :)
Danger - he really did say that.
And yeah, I did enjoy it there, mainly. Bit of a shock to the system, working hard on studying and things again, but generally...felt good to be doing something with my life.
RR/RSF - we definitely do not fire shot for cover here. It's really quite rare shots are fired at all. Even drawing your weapon involves a massive quantity of paperwork and an investigation into you, personally, to check that you acted correctly. And that's before aiming or firing.
Olli - not as good as they were then! I got one knocked out, so I've got an implant now! (We leave the biting to the PDs, not the PCs or DIs, I'm glad to say.)
Hope you two both have good days at work today and find plenty of opportunities to be outside in the sunshine. I shall be finding various people I need to walk over and see rather than just phoning them ;)
face to face interaction is very important in building strong working relationships, SH. :)
Hope you're having a good day, Danger. I'm keeping an ear to the radio for you :)
Not bad, thanks. I was fully expecting to get a call at seven this morning, so the fact that there was nothing till after nine was quite nice. How's work going?
Excellent!
Work is good. Charges against people sorted. Happy team.
I... Might have to go to Bristol tonight. Just to warn you.
Good. :)
For what?
Danny.
Nicky's at her wit's end. She's been on the phone in tears to me this morning.
I was afraid it was that. I'm sorry. Do you want company?
I didnt want to leave the boys. I mean...I don't know. Mrs Hudson's done a lot recently. Feel like I've barely seen Mycroft...
So, yes, I'd love you to come, but...it'll just undoubtedly be a lot of shouting and...I've no idea how we can resolve it.
Basically, he wants Mum's house. That's what it boils down to. He says we should put her in a home and he can have her house because he's currently got nowhere.
I suppose neither he nor your mum would be happy with the idea of him staying there with her so he could look after her?
Sherlock will probably be desperate to come along as soon as he reads this.
He isn't even looking after himself.
It's hard because he knows we would quite like her to be somewhere where she's got more help and support.
Of course, he isn't suggesting he might help pay for that, or visit, or take her out places. Just that he deserves her house more than she does. He keeps going round there and giving her a hard time. And Nicky.
What a situation. I'm sorry. That's... Difficult doesn't really cover it.
Paperwork for even drawing a weapon? What an excellent deterrent.
As for Danny, I hope you can find something that works. It sounds like he's harrassing your mom -- is there a line where that becomes illegal? Here she'd probably have to sell her house to afford the long-term care. Would "nobody gets the house once she leaves it" work as a deterrent? Or require that whoever does get the house pays for it?
good luck with the idiot Greg, he sounds like a right charmer!!
I'm not even going to suggest you try and stay calm because you really shouldn't but look after yourself.
I hope you are ok John :-)
I'm sorry Danny is being difficult. I hope things can get resolved quickly for all of you.
On a bit of a different note, a friend gave me this link and I thought of you guys. I think it's pretty cool, and I hope this starts being used more often.
http://jakevilldesign.dunked.com/cortex
She doesn't own the house, RSF. And yes, most people would have to sell their house here too. If they owned one to start with.
And yes, it is illegal. But she has to make a complaint for anything to be done. I'll be talking to them both about that.
You out on a job Danger? Or enjoying the sun with the boys?
Oy, what a mess. I hope you can get Danny to back off without too much...is drama the right word? (It sounds like he needs serious squashing, but. Family.)
I finally got to see the video, and yep, that is what the dentist said! :)
Pip, those are some cool looking casts! And I mean cool also in the literal sense--a cast that breathes and can get wet, how wonderful! (I wonder if he makes them in purple and hot pink?)
L - on a job. Got called just as we got to the park. Good thing Mrs Hudson came with us. I hope Sherlock's being good for her.
Least the tennis is a right ding dong so you might not miss any of Murray.
You went in the spam again :(
I didn't even notice - it's odd it posts the comment and then decides you're spam later.
Can you get Social Services involved, since your Mum is a vulnerable adult?
Yeah.
I'm going down to Bristol. You home? If you are I'll drop by. Otherwise can you say sorry to the boys for me?
good luck Greg :-)
Travel safely!
He stopped by...Sherlock has had to be detached from his leg.
Aw.
I'm so sorry, Sherlock, Mycroft, John. I wish that Greg was with you and not on the way here but I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm sorry to take him away from you all.
It sure sounds like you need some major help there, Nicky. Best of luck.
Nicky - He's your family. I wish there was more - or really anything we could do to help. I hope he can do something, if only to take the pressure off of you for a bit. I know you're having a hard time of it, and I'm really sorry for that.
You hang in there too, Nicky, and I hope it goes without saying I hope this doesn't go too badly for you either, L. I know family can push one's buttons worse than most anything, but I hope that a) you manage to find a way to get this sorted so it isn't such a heartache as it is right now, and b) you aren't too hard on yourselves if your buttons do get pushed in the process. Like ReRe said, "...but. Family." They do it to me too, and I mostly have very good and sympathetic ones.
AftSO
Thanks. Thanks, John, I know you'd all like to help. If I'm honest I'm scared because, well, the way Orio and Danny used to fight and now they're both grown men and I just don't want to think about it. I really just don't know what to do.
I don't either. If you want the rest of there, we can leave in the morning, but I don't want to make things more complicated than they already are either. I hope he and Danny can talk about it reasonably and work something out.
Mum says she feels like an idiot because even knowing Uncle Orio is coming over is making her cry, but she says it's a relief. Dad says she should leave them to it because Uncle Orio can always arrest Uncle Danny. Families are stupid sometimes. I'm going to tell Gran she better be nice to you and Uncle Orio if he sorts Uncle Danny out for her.
If it's her house he can't make her leave it can he? He shouldn't try though, she's his mum that's bad. John says we can make biscuits and send you some and I said it would be faster to just drive them there but he said no.
I don't think so but I don't really know how it works. I think he's just being horrible to her and he wants Mum and Uncle Orio to pay to put her in a home just so he gets the house. She was saying he goes round there and does stuff and tries to tell the nurse she can't look after herself so she'll get moved out or something. He just wants the house because since his wife threw him out he's been living somewhere really scummy. Gran's house isn't that good but it's better than his.
Sherlock, Danny's not being very logical, is he? If his mum isn't the tenant in the house any more she won't have any say in who gets to live there.
I hope he realizes that and stops making trouble.
That's really bad, he shouldn't do that, even though she's not very nice.
Sherlock...she is their grandmother. You shouldn't say that.
I'm sorry, Carla. I could call you if you'd like to talk?
You are a good person, Sherlock, and you show a good grasp of right and wrong (if not quite perfect on tact yet :)). And biscuits are a very nice idea.
Nicky you are amazing with all you do for your mum and for the rest of your family, I really hope Greg can help you even if its just in being there to support you.
You are a lovely boy Sherlock to think about biscuits, I'm glad you have something to focus on :-)
I hope you're ok John, you too Mycroft.
Yeah I'd like that Mycroft.
Uncle Orio got here and now they've gone to see Uncle Danny.
Mum just called Dad and they've called the police. He said she sounded really upset but we're not going over there because she said not to.
Stay safe, Lestrade.
Hope everyone else is hanging in there ok.
Hope you're all right, L. Call when you can.
Thanks for the updates, Carla. I hope you're doing okay too. I know it's tough to wait and worry.
I'm okay. Danny's been arrested. Mum's drunk. Nicky's crying. All great here.
Hoo boy. I'm sorry, L. I hope...well, that it gets better from here.
Sorry, didn't mean to sound so sarcastic.
I think...well, I hope things might get a bit more sorted out. We've established some plans.
I'm just no sure everyone will go along with them.
I'm sorry, love. I'll call you.
Well that's some kind of progress I guess Greg!
I'm sorry its tough on you and on your mum and Nicky.
(I don't think you sounded terribly sarcastic, L. I think you sounded...tired.)
Blurgh. I'm sorry, lestrade and Carla and Nicky. I hope this at least can be a turning point, and things start to come together, instead of falling farther apart. It sounds like the family is at least in unity that the situation won't continue as it is.
-ella
Cheers. Sadly not in as much unity as you'd hope.
We've at least told the local police the situation. And Nicky's going to call the council tomorrow, tell them that if Mum tries to sign her house over to Danny it's probably under duress.
And Danny's going to spend the night in the cells. Again.
I'm sorry it ended up like this L. And that you don't feel as if much has been achieved. But I am glad that you and Nicky are okay, if very upset.
Hoping you all manage to get at least some sleep tonight.
its the again bit that makes it sound like its unlikely to do much good for Danny to spend the night in a cell :-(
I hope Nicky can find a way to protect your mum Greg and that, when she's in a better state of drink, she herself sees how hard you're working to protect her.
He's convinced he's right and we're all wrong. How do you change that?
Part of the problem is Danny takes Mum drink. He knows a lot of us would rather she wasn't living their on her own, and he knows how to play us all.
I don't think you do change that Greg, he will always be sure he's right but you all know he is wrong and you're stronger together than he is on his own!
Yeah. I hope so.
Danger, Mycroft, I'm heading back. So...well, don't be alarmed when I stagger in at half two or whenever. Don't let Anthea shoot me.
I think I meant that you're at least in agreement that the situation can't continue, not that you're in agreement about what the solution is. And...well, even if Danny doesn't start making different choices, at least you can minimize the damage he does.
Hope you get some sleep, everyone.
-Ella
Travel safe, L--and I hope the ride helps some.
Drive safe L. Best of luck finding a solution to the situation.
I finally got to watch the video. Even though I never wanted to join the police suddenly finding out I'm too short to qualify is very disappointing.
Thanks for all your support everyone.
I'm...not sure I've even helped, but...well, we'll see how things go from here.
KHolly - height restrictions went out sometime in the early 90s. So it depends when you wanted to join...
I'm sure you helped just by turning up and offering support Greg, if you achieved anything practical that's a bonus really :-)
Do you have good weather today? We're going to make the most of our first day of real sunshine :-D
I'm really sorry things are such a mess, L. I hope they get sorted out.
Kholly- know what you mean. For a while I wanted to be an FBI agent, which is part of why I went to law school (there are, or were, 4 ways to qualify, and that was one of them). Was a bit surprised and sad when I realized I never would have met their standards because my eyesight doesn't correct to 20/20! Felt a bit bad about it even though by then I'd already decided I wanted to be a courtroom lawyer, not law enforcement.
That video *is* kind of hilarious, sorry, L. Were those mustaches mandatory back then? *G*
The weather is glorious. We're off swimming. I get to show the world that despite being nearly fifty I still get bitten by my brother... I hope no one thinks it was Sherlock! He's far more grown up.
That poor man :-( what kind of life has he had that makes him think that that is a way to behave? :-( the past is no excuse for being so horrible but it is sad to think of what might have been possible for him and for your mum had things been different.
Enjoy your swim :-)
You can always say you were bitten by a guy who landed in jail for the night. If anyone has the nerve to ask.
I hope you're enjoying the swimming. Is Sherlock still interested in diving lessons? I remember he was asking about them during the Olympics.
I dived in! They don't have a board but just off the side of the pool and Mycroft said it was a belly flop but my hands definitely touched the water first and anyway I just need to do it more and he didn't even try so I was still better than him.
Good for you, Sherlock!
Diving from the side of the pool is fun. My swimming teacher made us curl over so we'd be sure to go in hands and head first. We just had to make sure we were in a part of the pool that was deep enough for safe diving.
How long until your butterflies are ready to come out? I was thinking about them today because someone sent me a picture of a moth that looks like a poodle.
Just watched the video. I'm of an age where that's exactly the sort of careers film I was shown (did my O'Levels in 1982). I'm not sure nostalgia is the right word, but gawd, it does take me back!
The butterflies should come out in maybe a week and a half or two weeks. They're all chrysalis now.
John and Lestrade both did diving to show me and I nearly did it like them but we just have to go swimming lots so I can practice.
Lots of practice will be good. You'll be able to tell when you're getting better because dives don't make as big a splash as belly flops, and they don't sting.
Who is the better diver, John or Lestrade?
Anon - yeah, I'm impressed that it showed up on YouTube. Took me back, too. Not all good - but look at the life it's led to for me. I'm incredibly glad I joined up.
RSF - I'm waiting to see if he's going to be diplomatic...
Sherlock & Mycroft- I might be getting two crested geckos, and because I like the names along with normally naming my reptiles after mythological figures, I am thinking about naming them Deimos and Mercury.
Some of the names of my previous reptiles: Quetz (short for Quetzalcoatl), Nyx, Merlin, and Loki.
I just looked them up they look good. Not as good as degus maybe but still good. I like their feet I wish I had gecko feet. What colour will you get? Those are good names too.
Thanks Sherlock! All except Merlin were different types of snakes, while Merlin was a flying gecko. If someone could tell me how, I will link a photo of the the geckos. Does it work if the picture is on my computer and not on a website? If not, I can look online for ones that look like them.
One is dark cream color with some small black spots and the other is more of an olive brown with darker chevron markings down its back.
You would have to put your picture somewhere and then put a link up so everyone could see it. I think they sound good but I saw blue ones online I'd rather have a blue one because not many animals are blue. I have to go to bed now.
Have a good night Sherlock. If I end up getting them, I'll put a picture up online and link it.
He attempted to climb me, John, a dog, the wall and the bathroom door, Readaholic - I think it's fair to say he's taken with the idea of geckos!
Ha! Apparently the idea is being worked on...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3322870/Gecko-lizards-inspire-Spiderman-gloves.html
Maybe we can have them in the next couple of years!
Was he able to scale any of the objects? Seems that the animate ones would be the easiest unless they fled.
Distraction over diplomacy! :D Excellent.
Readaholic, I expect that if they do manage to get those gloves working it will add an entirely new dimension to the art of parkour. And Sherlock will be one of the grand masters of the technique!
He can climb John and I fairly well, and got halfway up the bathroom door with the aid of a towel hooked over it.
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