Police chief says Coppers TV show was 'interesting and positive'
The man in charge of policing in Perth and Kinross feels a TV programme on four recruits ''portrayed a positive picture'' of Tayside Police.
A member of the public being booked in at the station for an alleged breach of the peace on the Coppers TV show.
- By Paul Reoch
- Published in the Courier : 06.02.12
- Published online : 06.02.12 @ 12.14pm
Superintendent Jim Leslie, who is in charge of western division until April 1 when work on the new single Scottish police force begins, told The Courier there has been plenty of public feedback about Coppers.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary, which was screened by Channel 4 last week, featured four probation police recruits with their probationer officers and gave an insight into everyday events that police have to deal with.
The programme showed the four recruits deal with instances of breach of the peace and alleged drugs misuse, in Perth, Dundee and Arbroath.
One man was arrested for breach of the peace at the entrance to Perth Royal Infirmary. He was then driven to Perth police HQ in Barrack Street, where he insulted two officers and urinated in the back of the police van.
Serving officers gave their views on modern policing in Tayside — and were frank in their thoughts.
One officer said he felt ''society's gone by the wayside'', while another said: ''The vast majority of calls come from drug or alcohol abuse.''
Only one of the four recruits did not pass the 15-week probation.
Mr Leslie said he enjoyed the progamme and was optimistic about the reaction.
He said: ''I watched the programme with interest and felt that it portrayed an interesting picture of policing across Tayside. It gave the public a feel for the variety of jobs we do, and I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the probationers.
''The objective of the show is to demonstrate the breadth of policing and I think it did that.''
He added: ''The programme obviously provided an opportunity for the officers involved to demonstrate their human side, and in many cases this demonstrated the compassion and professionalism that I would expect.
''Some of the views that were expressed failed to reflect the enormous variety of highly effective partnership work that we are involved in with the local authorities, criminal justice partners and voluntary sectors.''
Mr Leslie added: ''I certainly feel that in those cases an opportunity was missed. In those cases I do not feel that the views were representative of the vast majority of our staff.
''However, overall, I feel that the programme portrayed a positive picture of Tayside Police, and I hope that the public share that opinion. They are invited to share their opinion on the force Twitter or Facebook sites.''
Former detective superintendent Jim Cameron also praised the programme, adding: ''It showed a lot of young, keen and enthusiastic officers doing their job well and this reflects well on the future of the force.''
12.59pm - 06.02.2012 Lisa Campbell - Dundee, UK Report This
A great show which highlights the unsavoury challenges that our officers must face everyday. 1 thing that was made clear is, the police are not here to be touchy feely with those who terrorize our communities, the police are here to take them away & I hope they up their actions to save our streets
01.26pm - 06.02.2012 Ballumbie Ryan - Dundee, UK Report This
Generally, the programme did show Tayside police ina positive light however the policeman who was (maybe for good reason) cynical should really be taken of public duties. He has obviously had enough and was not doing himself or the public any good.
03.37pm - 06.02.2012 Maryfield Resident - Maryfield, Scotland Report This
The cynical officer is a victim of crime & anti social behaviour but it can't B wise to have such a toxic officer in charge of new recruits. Better that he get support for the issues he is suffering from. We need a modern police force free of old stereotypes & negativity. Police, make more arrests!
03.38pm - 06.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
@ballumbie He was expressed his opinion yet nothing in the film indicated whilst going about his duties(whether to the public or the policy makers dictats)he was less than professional.As he works at the sharp end perhaps part of his opinion formed because he interacts with both sides of a divides
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