Well, do you? And, if so, would you want promotion? Well, a word of warning; I was just reading about an IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) investigation into police action at the time of a suicide. Well, not at exactly the time of the incident, but about 30 minutes before. With me so far? Right. It seems that for the umpteenth time, a woman was threatening to throw herself off the balcony of her 6th floor flat. Police had previously dealt with these threats in a way that earned praise from the IPCC. On this occasion, an Inspector arrived, and talked the woman back into the flat. Soon after, he cancelled the call for other units to attend, and he left the premises. About a half-hour later, the same situation arose and other police officers attended the scene. To cut a long story short, the woman was sitting on the window ledge, drinking from a can of beer. At some time during a conversation with one of the officers, the woman fell, and subsequently died.

The IPCC report stated that officers who had dealt with the previous incidents, should be recommended for an award. In this case, however, they felt that the Inspector had not dealt adequately with the situation, and should be reprimanded by his Superintendent.

Now. My point here is this; How much bloody work was on the shoulders of that Inspector? How much time could he devote to a serial-suicider? Before you answer, consider this; the IPCC acknowledges that part of the problem can be attributed to lack of experience and training, and the Inspector had already been on duty for 17 hours!

Yea. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. You really want to be a cop? I don’t think so. (Now, perhaps a job with the IPCC! Do nothing, but sit in judgement on those who do.)

Dickiebo after-thought; Imagine being that Inspector. Goes home (eventually). Wife says, “Anything happen, dear?” “Just talked a woman out of jumping from the 6th floor of a block of flats”. “Well done, dear. I’m so proud of you”. “Yea. I’m in the shit”. etc.