Friendly local bobby

Gorse Fox was thinking about the now mythical friendly local bobby. In the old days Police had a "soft-hatted" approach to most things. Keeping things running smoothly meant the odd ticking off, a clout round the ear, or if necessary force, arrest and prosecution. The Silver Vixen was telling the Gorse Fox of a middle aged friend of hers. She was driving locally in her new car, and was stopped by two Police. She got out of her car to meet them and the Police woman asked

"Do you know why we stopped you?"

The SV's friend, always bright, breezy, and happy smiled and said "Hello, was it my pretty dress?"

The woman Police office said "You're rear light isn't working" slapped a penalty notice on her, demanded she had fixed and checked at a specific garage, got in her car and drove off.

Now GF has looked at this and thought

• Brand new car with faulty rear light - what's the chance the owner knew
• Owner was polite and cheery, surely a quiet word was all that was required.
• The Officer has one more notch on her clear-up rate and the Police Force have irritated a nice middle-aged lady.
• The nice middle aged lady is so irritated that she is telling all her friends, and they in turn are relating to the friends and loved ones.
• The Gorse Fox has put it on blog (with a readership of at least 3)
• What a coup that was for community relations

Was it a typical police response, driven by the State targets? or was it just this Police woman?

Gorse Fox remembers being stopped, years ago, in his new car having whizzed past a Traffic Car, hiding in a side turning. The car gave chase, and the GF immediately pulled over. The Officer looked at GF - who apologised and explained it was a new car and he hadn't quite got used to it. The Officer looked at the mileometre, and told the GF to "Watch it. I won't be so lenient next time"... and that was that. GF was grateful, and very careful after that. That was a result for the boys in blue.

[File under: Police]