Proof: the police are not a bunch of pie eating racists

[vetran]

Look forward to the employment tribunal! More taxpayers money wasted

Not a banned organisation despite its repulsive views. Not during work hours. Membership of the BNP is restricted to whites only (yes I thought that an interesting angle) apparently tested Redfearn V Serco and failed on length of service.

Either make BNP illegal or find another angle to fire him.

[d000hg]

It's not rocket science to suppose that someone who supports the BNP is a racist, and an openly racist copper is going to have a hard time proving they're not biased against 'certain' sections of the public, whom they're supposed to be serving.

I'm sure there are racists who support the Tories too, especially along the "keep immigrants out" line. Personally, I would have no problem if the BNP were banned as being racist... but until then they are a registered political party. It's entirely subjective to decide which parties you can belong to as a policeman.

This discussion isn't about what we think of the BNP - I think we're largely in agreement on that - but about persecution for your support for a political party.

[Diver]

I'm sure there are racists who support the Tories too, especially along the "keep immigrants out" line. Personally, I would have no problem if the BNP were banned as being racist... but until then they are a registered political party. It's entirely subjective to decide which parties you can belong to as a policeman.

This discussion isn't about what we think of the BNP - I think we're largely in agreement on that - but about persecution for your support for a political party.

[NickFitz]

<snip>
...a copper, in general they are discouraged to appear to support any society with a political agendas or parties that can be seen as a political influence...

This is common knowledge and training for police officers, therefore I assume that guy knew supporting and being seen with the badge representing a controversial party is not acceptable (on or off duty) and he did it because he just didn't care or truly believed and supported the BNP, in which case its right to release him of his duty.

SD FTW!

I'd always assumed it was common knowledge that Police officers are not allowed to express political allegiances, for the very reason that it is an absolute necessity that they be seen to be free of political opinion or bias - otherwise the entire premise that the Police carry out their duties without fear or favour is cast into doubt.

This discussion isn't about what we think of the BNP - I think we're largely in agreement on that - but about persecution for your support for a political party.

Again, when one chooses to enter upon a career (I would say a profession) which requires one to deal with all members of society without any pre-judgement, but with regard solely to the facts of the matter at hand, then one voluntarily sacrifices one's right to support a political party in public.

Your vote is still your own, but if you accept the privileges that come with being one of Her Majesty's Constables you must also accept the associated responsibilities; and one of those responsibilities is to always act, and be seen to act, without prejudice - which word means, of course, pre-judgement.

It's the price you pay for the privilege of wearing the Queen's uniform and enforcing the Queen's laws.

[snaw]

I think it's double standards when an off duty copper is sacked for wearing a BNP badge, yet a Muslim officer was allowed to refuse to guard the Israeli embassy on 'moral' grounds. Or what about the case of the female Muslim officer who refused to shake Ian Blair's hand because it was against her religion.

Then you have the case of the christian evangelists being threatened with arrest for 'hate' crimes for handing out leaflets in a predominately Muslim area of Birmingham and West Midlands police refusing to apologise. How about the Muslim policeman (from the Greater Manchester police force) who was allowed to keep his job after being in a car crash and driving away and trying to cover it up.

Or what about the senior immigration official at the home office who's an activist for Hizb ut-Tahrir (who are a banned organisation by the way)

You can see why the BNP are snapping up Labours old core white working class voter. I don't vote BNP, but I do think they are a legitimate political party and should be treated as such.

Sorry, how does a thread on a copper getting sacked for wearing a BNP badge turn into an anti-muslim rant?

I agree most of those cases don't seem quite right. What seems even less right is your thinly disguised prejudice, and amazing recall of particular cases involving muslims in general ...

I never said ban the BNP. I agree with what Nick said - there's no place for it in the police. Clearly someone who's a supporter of the BNP's impartiality is seriously in question. Quite simply any arrest of a minority group that a BNP sympathiser makes is in question, even if he is impartial that still creates obstacles to him doing his job, and equally is unacceptable to minority groups in Britain.

[snaw]

I'm sure there are racists who support the Tories too, especially along the "keep immigrants out" line. Personally, I would have no problem if the BNP were banned as being racist... but until then they are a registered political party. It's entirely subjective to decide which parties you can belong to as a policeman.

This discussion isn't about what we think of the BNP - I think we're largely in agreement on that - but about persecution for your support for a political party.

The Tories aren't founded on racist principles. The BNP are. And I think you need to read my posts again, I'm saying, quite clearly that someone who's associated with the BNP has serious questions about their impartiality dealing with the public. SFA to do with persecution. Unless they're the ones persecuting ...

[Board Game Geek]

I think you will find that any member of any organisation can, theoretically, have issues with members outside of his or her own group.

Eg...A copper belonging the the BNP may have a conflict of interest.

So too would a copper who belongs to the Xian's, Muslims, Jews or whatever.

Also, a copper who is homosexual could have conflicts of interest. Plus a copper who was straight.

Also a copper who is a member of the local Masons.

And a copper who is a member of the local revolutionary tiddlywinks team.

The real issue here is discrimination based on one's personal beliefs and allegiances to others, and applying such discrimination evenly across the board.

Considering the police are meant to be apolitical, there is a deep irony that they are used as a political weapon by their and our political masters.

I'm saying, quite clearly that someone who's associated with the BNP has serious questions about their impartiality dealing with the public

I'd widen the scope on that above statement, Snaw and say "someone who's associated with either religion or secular ideology has serious questions about their impartiality dealing with the public"

[Diver]

SD FTW!

I'd always assumed it was common knowledge that Police officers are not allowed to express political allegiances, for the very reason that it is an absolute necessity that they be seen to be free of political opinion or bias - otherwise the entire premise that the Police carry out their duties without fear or favour is cast into doubt.



Again, when one chooses to enter upon a career (I would say a profession) which requires one to deal with all members of society without any pre-judgement, but with regard solely to the facts of the matter at hand, then one voluntarily sacrifices one's right to support a political party in public.

Your vote is still your own, but if you accept the privileges that come with being one of Her Majesty's Constables you must also accept the associated responsibilities; and one of those responsibilities is to always act, and be seen to act, without prejudice - which word means, of course, pre-judgement.

It's the price you pay for the privilege of wearing the Queen's uniform and enforcing the Queen's laws.

I honestly didn't know that police officers weren't allowed to support a political party or vote

[SandyDown]

I honestly didn't know that police officers weren't allowed to support a political party or vote

yeh else we'll be a police state -‘literally’ !!

[NickFitz]

I honestly didn't know that police officers weren't allowed to support a political party or vote

I explicitly stated that a police officer may not be seen to support a political party in public, not that they are barred from holding views of their own in private, and added that a police officer's vote was still their own to cast as they wish. Not at all what you suggest I said.