BTP - A call for volunteers

[ralphchadkirk]

So those who get involved in preventing danger to the public should not be paid, while the guards who are paid run into the toilets?

Those who are not being paid are well aware of what they are getting into, have the correct training to support it, have the correct equipment, are supported by regular officers, have a direct link to Control, and at the press of a single button will have the entire force at their location almost immediately. None of which can be said for guards.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

So those who get involved in preventing danger to the public should not be paid, while the guards who are paid run into the toilets?

You are going to have your tickets checked very thoroughly.

 

[wintonian]

I'd still like to see those who's jobs are being taken away by these volunteers.

I think is more likely to be taking away yet another addition to some primary teacher's workload.

This could be looked at in two ways:

1, you are doing a job which someone used to get paid for untill someone else decided someone would do it for free and you proving them right by doing the work for nothing.

2, someone used to get paid to do the job but no longer does, if you or someone like doesn’t offer to help out and do it then no one will do it or someone who gets paid to do something else will do it making them overworked and with other bits of work that don't get done.

I see both as valid points and it just depends on the individual which way they look at it.

 

[Stewart]

You are going to have your tickets checked very thoroughly.

That'll make a change

 

[AlterEgo]

So those who get involved in preventing danger to the public should not be paid, while the guards who are paid run into the toilets?

I assume you're being flippant or sarcastic rather than ignorant, or, worse, a wind-up merchant.

I like to see the best in people!

 

[PaxVobiscum]

The 'Safety Reps' scheme appears to be a national initiative whereas the 'Choice Support' is confined to the London area. I've emailed them today, and we'll see if I am ignored (many have tried).

Reply received this afternoon with further information and application form.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Certain of us here may be interested in the following statement (which is printed at the bottom of the 'Volunteer Role Description') with which it would seem anyone wishing to set up a Volunteer Scheme within BTP must comply and sign to confirm that it does:

I confirm that using a volunteer in the role outlined above will complement and support staff roles. It will not replace officers or staff or prevent the employment of a new staff member

I imagine it is left on public view in case any prospective volunteer is concerned about 'taking away jobs'.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Will volunteering to help the British Transport Police involve looking out for scrap thieves? The BTP are not employing enough people to do this effectively. (100 nationwide, apparently.)

 

[Simon11]

Surely its not training in how to fight but rather self defence?

If an incident happens they should know a few techniques to get them away from the subject if being held.

 

[the sniper]

The BTP are not employing enough people to do this effectively. (100 nationwide, apparently.)

Well if the TOCs and FOCs were willing to spend more...

NR also employ people to watch out for cable fairies though.

 

[blanco]

Trains would be a lot safer for vulnerable people if the guards actually grew a set, and didn't run away when trouble happens.

I'm looking at you Scotrail.

Well why don't you pull your underpants over your trousers and tie a bedsheet round your neck and become some railway caped crusader rather than slate guards for not acting like the police. Who exactly is going to pay the guards mortgage when the scroat he ejects from a train decides to complain and gets the guard suspended. It's about time tha public at large "grew a set" and told these ratbags where to go rather than cower behind the newspaper and pray for the guard to step in.

 

[Stigy]

Guards and other rail staff also have the added uncertainty of whether or not they'll be sacked for going above and beyond when the yobbos kick off. Even though acting within, and having the backing of the law, the company often takes the easy way out and dismiss the staff concerned regardless. At least Specials won't be dismissed on a whim and are allowed by the Police force they work for to uphold the law without this worry.

TOCs hide behind their 'no touch' policies etc to routinely sack staff!

If we're going down the road of expecting rail staff to sort out the unruly yobs, when lets face it, their training doesn't allow it, why don't members of the public do it instead? Same thing isn't it?

 

[rail-britain]

I am sorry, but this is low
http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/latest_news/a_call_for_volunteers.aspx
The first phrase clearly states "working"
This is cost cutting by the back door

 

[BrianTheLion]

I am sorry, but this is low
http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/latest_news/a_call_for_volunteers.aspx
The first phrase clearly states "working"
This is cost cutting by the back door

I agree entirely with your comment about cost cutting by the back door.

This is a perfect opportunity for the government to create sustainable, worthwhile employment.

In theory what's being promoted here is a worthwhile cause, but certainly not on a voluntary basis.

 

[rail-britain]

This is a perfect opportunity for the government to create sustainable, worthwhile employment

This is something normally provided by local government / local authority; escorted service for people, and teaching in schools

I've seen quite a few people travel with disabled people, who are clearly not related to them
I can see them fearing for their jobs now...

 

[scotsman]

This was discussed a while ago, someone pointed to a piece of literature on the BTP site which said that this would not being doing the work of a paid employee

 

[Flamingo]

Well, reading the link in the original post, neither job is really what I would consider the primary (or secondary) role of the BTP. More local Social Services, I would say.

A role for St Johns Ambulance, Red Cross or WRVS, not really police business.

 

[EM2]

I am sorry, but this is low
http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/latest_news/a_call_for_volunteers.aspx
The first phrase clearly states "working"
This is cost cutting by the back door

It states 'working with', not 'working for', which is an important difference. This seems to be a scheme overseen by BTP, and more importantly a scheme that seems to want to do some good for the less able in society. Wht's wrong with that?

Well, reading the link in the original post, neither job is really what I would consider the primary (or secondary) role of the BTP. More local Social Services, I would say.

A role for St Johns Ambulance, Red Cross or WRVS, not really police business.

Indeed, although rail safety for youngsters (the second role) is certainly what the police should be involved in. I would suggest that asking for volunteers, maybe from within the industry, who have experience in this kind of thing (and in assisted travel), can only be helpful for those people that need the help, and means that BTP officers and staff are not taken off of front-line work.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

This was discussed a while ago, someone pointed to a piece of literature on the BTP site which said that this would not being doing the work of a paid employee

That would be me in post #36 in http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=64259&highlight=volunteer

I suggest these threads should be combined.

EDIT: (Thank you, Mods!)

 

[Flamingo]

Trains would be a lot safer for vulnerable people if the guards actually grew a set, and didn't run away when trouble happens.

I'm looking at you Scotrail.

Fine, then give us the training, equipment and backup, both moral and statutory, that allows us to get involved with at least some chance of not being seriously injured, charged by BTP for assault, sued by the scrotes for damages, or disciplined by the TOC for breaching policy.

At present all we have is a whistle and a "Violence at Work" policy that is written in such a way that if anything gets physical the first thing the TOC can say is that it's the guards own fault, and wash their hands of it.

 

[scotsman]

When I was at primary school, it was plod who came in to deliver these sessions. If this is still the case, then I'd much prefer these volunteers did it - if only to get the Police out on the job.

I've emailed stating my interest.

 

[Smudger105e]

Fine, then give us the training, equipment and backup, both moral and statutory, that allows us to get involved with at least some chance of not being seriously injured, charged by BTP for assault, sued by the scrotes for damages, or disciplined by the TOC for breaching policy.

Or having videos of yourself being posted on You Tube.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

Thre is absolutely no way that any on-train staff should get involved in any sort of altercation. But, they should at least walk through the train between stations - even if not doing tickets - to show that they're there. I cannot recall just how many times I've sat on a train with a Conductor walking through who appears to be incapable of asking people to remove their feet off the seats or turning their personal noise machine down or refrain from using a telephone in the quiet coach.

 

[34D]

To save me reading the whole thread, do these BTP volunteers get free train/bus travel, as regular/BTP police do?

 

[the sniper]

To save me reading the whole thread, do these BTP volunteers get free train/bus travel, as regular/BTP police do?

They won't, though they will probably have their ticket brought for them or be able to claim the ticket cost back if travelling on BTP business. BTP PCs getting free travel is dependent on TOC policies and local BTP Area arrangements. It's a point of contention within BTP, particularly when the locals do what they like...

 

[Requeststop]

I saw 3 BTP "Community" Constables at Paddington two Saturdays back, taking photo's of a man with child at the Paddington Bear statue and the One-eyed Olympic Monster Mascot and then posing with the child who was very happy. So it's not all about dealing with baddies!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I saw 3 BTP "Community" Constables at Paddington two Saturdays back, taking photo's of a man with child at the Paddington Bear statue and the One-eyed Olympic Monster Mascot and then posing with the child who was very happy. So it's not all about dealing with baddies!

I've never heard of a "community Constable". Presumably they are either Specials or the new buzzword for neighbourhood coppers?

 

[313103]

Message deleted as i have just read the first post and seen the date, hardly worth commenting on it now.

 

[the sniper]

I've never heard of a "community Constable". Presumably they are either Specials or the new buzzword for neighbourhood coppers?

BTP Specials are indistinguishable from BTP PCs. I'm quite sure Requeststop saw three PCSOs.