Lincoln; Police Chief defends officers dancing Macarena at Pride Event

O

Ollygon

Well-known member
I hope you all agree this was a wonderful thing to do.




Police officers who were criticised after being shown on social media dancing at an LGBTQ+ Pride event have been defended by their chief constable.

Video posted online featured officers performing the Macarena at Lincoln's annual Pride celebration on Saturday.
The tweet attracted several negative responses, with some users calling it "embarrassing" and a "disgrace".
But Lincolnshire Chief Constable Chris Haward said the officers' actions did not "detract from their duties".
Posted on Saturday evening, the original tweet from Lincoln Police showed four uniformed officers dancing along to the music.
They were then seen being joined by members of the public also performing the routine.

Some Twitter users complained, suggesting the officers should have been solving crimes.
But Mr Haward said he expected Lincolnshire Police officers "to engage with people attending Pride".
The event was a "celebration of inclusivity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community" and the force was there to offer support and to build confidence, he added.
"I expect my officers and staff...to chat, laugh, join in, and even dance, where it is appropriate to do so and does not detract from their duties," he said.
The chief constable said policing was about "engagement, understanding and being part of the community", as well as enforcement.
"Pride is one of the many wonderful community events in the county we are there to police, but also to allow people to look behind the uniform and see who we are," he said.
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
Bobbies have been dancing ay carnivals for years eg: Notting Hill Carnival and have been appreciated for doing it by Organisers as 'integrating' with the community.

Anyone who thinks otherwise seriously have a problem
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Bendit

All well and good keeping these carnival organisers happy.

I'm just wondering what message this sounds out to folk who have reported a house breaking to the local constabulary only to be told that they are far too busy to investigate but they can have a crime number.

Apologies if there were no crimes that needed investigating in Lincoln while the coppers were amusing everybody with the Macarena.
 
Apologies if I've caused any apopletic incidents.

I just thought everyone would be happy with this good piece of news.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
Bendit

All well and good keeping these carnival organisers happy.

I'm just wondering what message this sounds out to folk who have reported a house breaking to the local constabulary only to be told that they are far too busy to investigate but they can have a crime number.

Apologies if there were no crimes that needed investigating in Lincoln while the coppers were amusing everybody with the Macarena.
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Seaside - a good point, a very good point, especially if you are a victim.

Although retired and very pro my ex profession, Im also honest enough to accept the numerous failings too. There are not enough officers, and even more important, they haven't anywhere near enough the training and 'life experience' needed to function/operate correctly.

Police have always been encouraged to participate in a wide range of events, and the majority of the public genuinely appreciate it. However your comments are merited and a fine balance between involvement and normal Police Duties should try and be achieved
 
Ollygon said:
I hope you all agree this was a wonderful thing to do.




Police officers who were criticised after being shown on social media dancing at an LGBTQ+ Pride event have been defended by their chief constable.

Video posted online featured officers performing the Macarena at Lincoln's annual Pride celebration on Saturday.
The tweet attracted several negative responses, with some users calling it "embarrassing" and a "disgrace".
But Lincolnshire Chief Constable Chris Haward said the officers' actions did not "detract from their duties".
Posted on Saturday evening, the original tweet from Lincoln Police showed four uniformed officers dancing along to the music.
They were then seen being joined by members of the public also performing the routine.

Some Twitter users complained, suggesting the officers should have been solving crimes.
But Mr Haward said he expected Lincolnshire Police officers "to engage with people attending Pride".
The event was a "celebration of inclusivity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community" and the force was there to offer support and to build confidence, he added.
"I expect my officers and staff...to chat, laugh, join in, and even dance, where it is appropriate to do so and does not detract from their duties," he said.
The chief constable said policing was about "engagement, understanding and being part of the community", as well as enforcement.
"Pride is one of the many wonderful community events in the county we are there to police, but also to allow people to look behind the uniform and see who we are," he said.
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Sack them👍🏻
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
Bendit

All well and good keeping these carnival organisers happy.

I'm just wondering what message this sounds out to folk who have reported a house breaking to the local constabulary only to be told that they are far too busy to investigate but they can have a crime number.

Apologies if there were no crimes that needed investigating in Lincoln while the coppers were amusing everybody with the Macarena.
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Do you think all Lincolnshires police were at the carnival, you could say the same about the ambulance service, ffs sake get into the real world seaside20. Lets ban all events that have to be policed, happy c&@*.
 
Get this quite a bit at Festivals, where the Police tend to take a more laid back approach.

I don’t have an issue with it tbh…

It’s when they roll out their criminal thuggish element that upsets me.
 
I saw some police on the front during the Airshow, keeping the crowds from spilling into the road. Disgusting. Why weren't they catching criminals?
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
Seaside - a good point, a very good point, especially if you are a victim.

Although retired and very pro my ex profession, Im also honest enough to accept the numerous failings too. There are not enough officers, and even more important, they haven't anywhere near enough the training and 'life experience' needed to function/operate correctly.

Police have always been encouraged to participate in a wide range of events, and the majority of the public genuinely appreciate it. However your comments are merited and a fine balance between involvement and normal Police Duties should try and be achieved
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I'm glad you took that the right way Bendit.

I can be critical of the police but I do respect them and I know that many of the coppers on the front line are just not allowed to police how they or those that they serve would like and are often damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Not a criticism of yourself and I don't know you but I was surprised to hear you supporting police attendance/participation at these events.
 
todayistheday said:
Do you think all Lincolnshires police were at the carnival, you could say the same about the ambulance service, ffs sake get into the real world seaside20. Lets ban all events that have to be policed, happy c&@*.
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Today

I am not surprised by your response.

If you don't think that some taxpayers - perhaps victim of crime - would be concerned at the attendance/participation of police at such events then you need to get into the real world.

Why on earth would anybody suggest that all events that need to be policed should be banned ?

Crime certainly has to be policed and unfortunately I can't see that stopping anytime soon.
 
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SEASIDE2020 said:
I'm glad you took that the right way Bendit.

I can be critical of the police but I do respect them and I know that many of the coppers on the front line are just not allowed to police how they or those that they serve would like and are often damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Not a criticism of yourself and I don't know you but I was surprised to hear you supporting police attendance/participation at these events.
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Seaside, its a diverse occupation, and can be very adrenaline boosting at times. One minute I was arresting one of The Great Train Robbers another time I was grooving to Aswad at a concert duty and another policing hundreds of screaming kids as Witchipoo switched on the Christmas lights.
So nothing really surprises me too much :) 👍
 
Walthamstow_Seasider said:
Yeah, let's de-fund the fuckers 👍
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You mentioned defunding, nobody else.

I'm just not sure that while the police are constantly complaining about a lack of resources - and perhaps with good reason - that dancing at pride events is a good luck.

That's all, I am not triggered, I am not offended and I am not suggesting that the police should be defunded.
 
Blackpools finest said:
It makes a mockery of our police force, Im old enough to remember when they were respected 🙁
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I think videos that emerge of them beating people up damages their reputation and loses them respect far more than seeing them having a bit of fun with the people they are policing. Also they’ve been put there to help keep the peace and prevent crime.They haven’t sneaked off from catching “real criminals” as some would imply
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
Do the police do the Macarena at football matches ?
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Whether it’s doing the Macarena at a Pride Festival or watching over a crowd of pissed up middle aged men who might misbehave and “should know better” - the police clearly aren’t out catching “real criminals”.

If you think attending one event is a waste of resources; is it also a waste of resources if they attend the other?
 
Mexboroseasider said:
Whether it’s doing the Macarena at a Pride Festival or watching over a crowd of pissed up middle aged men who might misbehave and “should know better” - the police clearly aren’t out catching “real criminals”.

If you think attending one event is a waste of resources; is it also a waste of resources if they attend the other?
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Mex

I didn't say attending either event was a waste of resources.

I suggested that police resources could be perhaps be employed more efficiently than dancing at pride events.

You then decided to ask me whether I considered the policing of football matches to be a waste of resources ?

You then went on to say, "If you think attending one event is a waste of resources; is it also a waste of resources if they attend the other?".

I am of the opinion that there is a difference between police officers policing a football match and police officers attending a pride festival and doing the Macarena.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
Mex

I didn't say attending either event was a waste of resources.

I suggested that police resources could be perhaps be employed more efficiently than dancing at pride events.

You then decided to ask me whether I considered the policing of football matches to be a waste of resources ?

You then went on to say, "If you think attending one event is a waste of resources; is it also a waste of resources if they attend the other?".

I am of the opinion that there is a difference between police officers policing a football match and police officers attending a pride festival and doing the Macarena.
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What’s the difference?
 
traffordtang said:
I think videos that emerge of them beating people up damages their reputation and loses them respect far more than seeing them having a bit of fun with the people they are policing. Also they’ve been put there to help keep the peace and prevent crime.They haven’t sneaked off from catching “real criminals” as some would imply
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I think it goes without saying that videos of police beating people up damages their reputation and loses them more respect that dancing at some daft festival.

I don't think anybody suggested otherwise.

I think it's fair to say that some taxpayers - particularly recent victims of crime - would rather see a greater police effort towards cracking crime and that dancing at such festivals is not a particularly good look.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
I think it goes without saying that videos of police beating people up damages their reputation and loses them more respect that dancing at some daft festival.

I don't think anybody suggested otherwise.

I think it's fair to say that some taxpayers - particularly recent victims of crime - would rather see a greater police effort towards crime and that dancing at such festivals is not a particularly good look.
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And I think it’s fair to say that some taxpayers - particularly recent victims of crime - would rather see a greater police effort towards crime and that policing a load of pissed up middle aged and old men at football matches is not a particularly good look.
 
Mexboroseasider said:
What’s the difference?
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I'm sure you are fully aware.

Football matches are policed for a number of reasons, safety, helping prevent disorder, dealing with disorder, etc, etc.

I would assume that dancing at pride festivals is to engage with the community and ultimately it could help reduce crime but I'm thinking some folk would rather see coppers not involving themselves in such nonsense, especially at a time when they are complaining about a lack of resources.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
I'm sure you are fully aware.

Football matches are policed for a number of reasons, safety, helping prevent disorder, dealing with disorder, etc, etc.

I would assume that dancing at pride festivals is to engage with the community and ultimately it could help reduce crime but I'm thinking some folk would rather see coppers not involving themselves in such nonsense, especially at a time when they are complaining about a lack of resources.
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Ah right. So now you are talking about resources.
 
Mexboroseasider said:
And I think it’s fair to say that some taxpayers - particularly recent victims of crime - would rather see a greater police effort towards crime and that policing a load of pissed up middle aged and old men at football matches is not a particularly good look.
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Okey doke Mex, we disagree.

I'm not sure you really believe what you say.

Maybe an idea for you to play the ball and not the man.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
Okey doke Mex, we disagree.

I'm not sure you really believe what you say.

Maybe an idea for you to play the ball and not the man.
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I’m just quoting your arguments back at you.

If they collapse at the first sign of pressure that’s probably because they were a bit flawed in the first place?
 
Mexboroseasider said:
I’m just quoting your arguments back at you.

If they collapse at the first sign of pressure that’s probably because they were a bit flawed in the first place?
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I was expressing my opinions Mex, you don't have to agree.

I have no doubt that there will be plenty folk that are happy to see coppers dancing at pride events and plenty that are not so happy.

I'm not so sure there will be too many folk that don't think football matches should be policed but that wasn't what was being discussed.
 
Whilst I can see both sides of the debate, I’m definitely not supportive of this type of police behaviour.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older. Or maybe cos I was in the armed forces. But it doesn’t sit well with me.

The police do have a tough job to do. That job will be easier if they have engagement with the public as well as the public’s trust and respect. At the moment they don’t have any of these in sufficient quantity.

There’s many reasons for this. For example:-
-Police brutality
-Police overreach
-High profile cases of police criminality or other behaviour leading the force into disrepute
-Police forces in special measures
-Failure to record and investigate crimes as seen with the Manchester police authority
-Using precious resources to be the ‘thought police’ (where they pursue someone for a distasteful social media post) whilst real crime goes unpunished.
-Police taking far too long to respond to traditional crimes
-Mishandling of investigations
-A perceived disrespect for the public

None of the above will be solved by dancing or other lame attempts to increase engagement. We need police back on the beat in our towns and cities, on a day to day basis, rather than showing up at high profile events with a pre-prepared scheme to get on tiktok.

I’d much prefer the police to be consummate professionals. But their standards have slipped. They are chewing gum, are scruffy, have tattoos showing, have long beards or piercings or ear discs and whatever else. They drive around and aren’t generally contactable other than via 999 or a yellow phone which you can find at what used to the the police station public counter.

In my view they should be sharp and polished and clean and tidy. They should be ever present. They should speak when spoken to, and be open and respectful to all. Respect is a two way thing - and they need to rebuild it with a better attitude towards the people they serve.

I wanted to be a policeman when I was about to leave school. But now I wouldn’t consider it. I fear I’d be surrounded by arrogant judgemental rude and unprofessional colleagues. I don’t think they’re all like that but far too many are. I think they’re overworked and under supported. So they end up hating the job and all the problems that come with it. They’re often wasting time dealing with things which are not their job - eg looking after the mentally ill and accommodating them in the police cells.

They need clarity of role. They need to get back to basics and remember what they’re about. They need to prevent crime but to also tackle crime when it happens. And yes that does include burglaries and car theft and domestic abuse and other such traditional types of crime. They need to get back into the community and behave professionally at all times.

We wouldn’t expect a police officer to start cheering a goal at a football match. We wouldn’t expect a police officer to join in a protest which they’re there to police (and that means they shouldn’t be taking the knee to appease a crowd). We wouldn’t expect a police officer to be browsing through the fashion items when they’re patrolling a shopping centre. We wouldn’t expect them to be holding a sparkler or lighting fireworks at a bonfire night gathering. Instead we should expect that they’re present and presentable and purely professional, impartial and respectful and responsive. They’re far from that at the moment - and dancing at a festival just adds fuel to the fire that they need a complete overhaul.
 
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