136'er

As I have mentioned before sometimes the public do get a raw deal from us. Whether that be through sheer insanity in regard to our policy or procedures or perhaps through some officers that are just a bit crap and have an axe to grind.

I try to fall into neither camp. Generally I allow common sense to rule the day (if possible) and I like to think I can talk to people.

My last complaint from a member of the public, which no doubt will be added to my forces and the national stats, and will make me and my force look just that little bit worse.

The circumstances were truly bizarre. I was called to a park where a distressed female was claiming that her son had been 'taken away' by a local newsagent. I attended somewhat confused and needing some sort of explanation. Upon speaking to our informant it became clear the issues laid with her:

My son is with him in the shop it just isn't right!
OK, how old is your son?
He's 28 and has mental health issues
28? OK, why can't he speak to the newsagent?
I don't like him, he calls me things when I go in there. My son can't be with him.

This conversation writes out almost as bizarrely as it was but what doesn't come across was that I was now convinced the informant had some serious mental health issues herself. I'm know I can't give a clinical opinion on her behaviour but in my book she was nuttier than a Lion bar.

I spoke to the son and he did appear to have some issues but was making more sense than the mother. He said he worked round the corner and he popped into the shop on a regular basis to chat. As far as I am aware there is no offence of 'talking to someone your Mum doesn't like' so it was pretty clear the job was NFA and I just had to appease our informant to that fact.

I've spoken with your son and I'm quite happy the newsagent and him are fine. I don't have any issues with him being there.
But I do, don't tell me you are just going to ignore me?! He shouldn't be there!
Why not? He's a grown adult and can go pretty much where he wants within reason?
That newsagent gets really aggressive with me, he won't let me in the shop!
It's his shop, he can serve who he likes. There isn't much I can do about his level of service!

The informant then stepped towards me and said "Fine. You obviously can't be bothered. Thank you very much" and she walked off.

My update to comms was short and sweet basically stating the informant was mad and I left it at that.

A few days later I come in on shift and my Sergeant approaches me with a bit of paper.

"You've been causing me grief! Had a woman come in complaining about you"
"Eh? What job is that?"

I was then shown the log of the 'mad' serial and coughed up my Redbull.

"You actually sat down with her and wrote out a complaint?"
"Well I had to really, she was insistent"

I read the complaint and the woman stated I was 'brusque' and 'unhelpful'.

I passed the paper back and asked the Sergeant if he thought she was completely mad.

"A fruitloop mate, barking but I need you to sign to say I have given you words of advice"
"About what? Dealing with a woman who is living on a different planet? I don't get how I could deal with that differently?"
"Just sign it and I'll get rid of it"

I reluctantly sign and am left somewhat deflated.