Questions about British police

Emily Winslow · Dec 12, 2007

Long time lurker, first time poster... I'm looking for someone who knows about British police. I've found lots of factual info about ranks and jurisdictions and such, but not much about how things work day-to-day.

I have some specific questions as to how the regular police work with the transport police, when a murder takes place in a train station. But I'm also looking for general info as to the running of murder investigations, the reputation of and relationships between various ranks in the force, and what cars the police generally drive.

Anyone with any experience or knowledge would be much appreciated!

tallus83 · Dec 12, 2007

What is the time period of your story?

If it is set in the 30's or 40's, then the constable is more likely to ride a bicycle than use a car.

Emily Winslow · Dec 12, 2007

Thanks for responding, Tallus!

It's present day.

waylander · Dec 12, 2007

Call your local police station and ask to talk to a press officer. Tell them about your writing and your wish for authenticity and I'm sure they'll help you. Someone from my writers group who is writing a crime novel did this and got to talk to a very helpful det. sgt.

Emily Winslow · Dec 12, 2007

Waylander--Thanks for the tip! I will do so.

scarletpeaches · Dec 12, 2007

Emily Winslow said:
Long time lurker, first time poster... I'm looking for someone who knows about British police. I've found lots of factual info about ranks and jurisdictions and such, but not much about how things work day-to-day.

I have some specific questions as to how the regular police work with the transit police, when a murder takes place in a train station. But I'm also looking for general info as to the running of murder investigations, the reputation of and relationships between various ranks in the force, and what cars the police generally drive.

Anyone with any experience or knowledge would be much appreciated!

Usually it's the police themselves who are responsible for these. Don't carry a backpack or look Brazilian.

Carmy · Dec 12, 2007

I['m in Canada but I emailed a Welsh police station when I was looking for information on Welsh police. They were very kind and friendly.

Emily Winslow · Dec 13, 2007

Hey Scarlet--That's the answer I was hoping for, since I want my "regular" police character to head the investigation, not the transit police. Do you live in the UK? Can you be more specific about how you know this?

I read a news story recently, about two bodies that were found on a stretch of tracks, and the only police mentioned were the transit police. That's what got me concerned about jurisdiction.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Dec 13, 2007

Emily, I'm confused. Your location is down as Cambridge, England. Surely you must at least know what cars the police drive; all you have to do is look at the back of the car next time one drives by! (When I lived there, they drove Sierra Cosworths and Metros, but I moved to Canada in 2000 and things may have changed.)

I think Scarlet was speaking facetiously, meaning that the local police are responsible for committing the murders. (as in the death of Jean Charles de Menenez, who happened to look like the wrong ethnic background, carrying a backpack...cast back your mind...remember...?)

Bmwhtly · Dec 13, 2007

Emily Winslow said:
what cars the police generally drive.

It varies from force to force.

I've seen Astra Diesels in use. I've also seen Land-Rover Discoverys (in the country).

Emily Winslow · Dec 13, 2007

There are actually surprisingly few police cars around; the ones I do see are generally moving pretty quickly! But, yes, I could find one to peek in. Apologies that my question sounded more glib than it actually is. My car question has to do with the cars a certain rank of detective would drive, not the marked police cars. And, if I find someone who knows that, I can get into the more specific questions I have about how flexible the department would be about getting a different-from-standard car in a certain circumstance that is all very complicated to explain here but which I promise makes sense in my manuscript... er, am I rambling?

Anyway, I do apologize if it was inappropriate to post a question that I have access to researching in a variety of ways. I have done a HUGE amount of research in person here in Cambridge with people of many professions and backgrounds. But I haven't found any connections on the police force, and wanted to seek some advice here on the forums before I approached them cold. I appreciate the info about a press officer--I was unaware of that role and will go that route.

Also, apologies for not getting Scarlet's reference. I'm being awfully literal this week...

Sandi LeFaucheur said:
Emily, I'm confused. Your location is down as Cambridge, England. Surely you must at least know what cars the police drive; all you have to do is look at the back of the car next time one drives by! (When I lived there, they drove Sierra Cosworths and Metros, but I moved to Canada in 2000 and things may have changed.)

I think Scarlet was speaking facetiously, meaning that the local police are responsible for committing the murders. (as in the death of Jean Charles de Menenez, who happened to look like the wrong ethnic background, carrying a backpack...cast back your mind...remember...?)

JimmyB27 · Dec 13, 2007

Sandi LeFaucheur said:
Emily, I'm confused. Your location is down as Cambridge, England. Surely you must at least know what cars the police drive; all you have to do is look at the back of the car next time one drives by! (When I lived there, they drove Sierra Cosworths and Metros, but I moved to Canada in 2000 and things may have changed.)

They most certainly have, neither of those cars are produced any more

As for what car your detective will drive, Emily, does it really matter? Is it important to the story that you mention the model, or can it just be 'his car'?

Emily Winslow · Dec 13, 2007

Yes, it matters. That's why I'm asking.

I know what you mean, though...sometimes it's easy to get bogged down in details for description's sake. But this is not a case of that.

In any case, my hope with this question was to try to hook up with someone on AW who may have a UK police contact or experience with UK police themselves. The mention of the car issue is just one of several questions I would take offline if I were to find the right person.

Thanks to all who commented (and may yet comment!)

JimmyB27 said:
They most certainly have, neither of those cars are produced any more

As for what car your detective will drive, Emily, does it really matter? Is it important to the story that you mention the model, or can it just be 'his car'?

Snowberry · Dec 14, 2007

Just to add, I came up with a similar problem myself, and a sergeant in the North Yorks police told me that pool cars are mostly Vauxhall Astras and various types of Ford, but if they're CID, i.e. investigating murders, they can use their own car and get paid a mileage allowance, and so it can be any kind you like. (How did I come to be asking this? I was stopped for speeding and was attending a driver re-education class rather than get points on my licence!)

Does it need to be a police car with the police paint job, or is it just what your detective is driving?

Emily Winslow · Dec 16, 2007

Snowberry, you rock! That's *exactly* what I need to know about cars!

(You wouldn't happen to have some equally serendipitous info about transport police and normal police jurisdiction on death in a train station, now would you?? No? All right I'll stop being greedy

Snowberry said:
Just to add, I came up with a similar problem myself, and a sergeant in the North Yorks police told me that pool cars are mostly Vauxhall Astras and various types of Ford, but if they're CID, i.e. investigating murders, they can use their own car and get paid a mileage allowance, and so it can be any kind you like. (How did I come to be asking this? I was stopped for speeding and was attending a driver re-education class rather than get points on my licence!)

Does it need to be a police car with the police paint job, or is it just what your detective is driving?

HeronW · Dec 17, 2007

Local TV shows on British forensics and methodology of crime scene investigations can help too if they're based on actual events.

Emily Winslow · Dec 17, 2007

Good idea. I watch lots of drama, but not as much of the documentary crime stuff. I should make a point to do that.

Also, I now have an appt to speak with my local police press officer. Hooray!

And, welcome HeronW! You're an "esteemed new member", like me

HeronW said:
Local TV shows on British forensics and methodology of crime scene investigations can help too if they're based on actual events.

Snowberry · Dec 18, 2007

Emily Winslow said:
(You wouldn't happen to have some equally serendipitous info about transport police and normal police jurisdiction on death in a train station, now would you?? No? All right I'll stop being greedy

The theory is that the regular police investigate murders, but I was googling and found this:

http://www.btp.police.uk/History So...e/The Murder of Marguerite Van Campenhout.htm

They state that an investigation in 2002 was the first time the BTP investigated a murder, basically because the Met were a bit busy! As a result of this case, it's down to the individual Cheif Constables to negotiate who takes the lead.

Emily Winslow · Dec 18, 2007

Snowberry, THANK YOU. You're too kind.

I see you're a fellow crime fiction writer. Your profile was reticent on your real identity--would you let me know what you've written? If it's available down at Heffer's, I want to buy it!

Snowberry said:
The theory is that the regular police investigate murders, but I was googling and found this:

http://www.btp.police.uk/History So...e/The Murder of Marguerite Van Campenhout.htm

They state that an investigation in 2002 was the first time the BTP investigated a murder, basically because the Met were a bit busy! As a result of this case, it's down to the individual Cheif Constables to negotiate who takes the lead.

Emily Winslow · Dec 19, 2007

Thanks to following the advice to contact the local police Press Officer, I now have an appt with the Detective Superintendent for the major crimes team! I couldn't be happier.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Snowberry · Dec 21, 2007

Emily Winslow said:
Snowberry, THANK YOU. You're too kind.

I see you're a fellow crime fiction writer. Your profile was reticent on your real identity--would you let me know what you've written? If it's available down at Heffer's, I want to buy it!

Unpublished, alas! The WIP is called Dead Man's Leg - if I get it into print, I'll let you know! Congratulations on the appointment with a real DS!

Emily Winslow · Dec 21, 2007

Well, you sure seem to know what you're doing. If your writing is as good as your research, you should make it just fine

Do announce when you have success--I will want to check it out!

Snowberry said:
Unpublished, alas! The WIP is called Dead Man's Leg - if I get it into print, I'll let you know! Congratulations on the appointment with a real DS!

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