AA workers have been given police powers to stop drivers and demand names and addresses.W..T..A..F?
They would be able to stop vehicles, direct vehicles and demand names and addresses at events such as the Brighton Marathon to try to punish those committing traffic offences, such as using mobile phones at the wheel.I'm a little confused here - who thought this was a good idea? Who thought 'I'm absolutely certain that our members won't mind us changing from becoming an excellent breakdown cover service to becoming yet another quasi-legal state arm?'
The AA staff would not be able to make arrests, but anyone refusing to reveal their details to them would be committing an offence and could be detained by police.I don't understand this. The AA has had a very good reputation for years - helped by the fact that every time I've called them out, they've been superb; well-spoken, polite, friendly and competent.
What on earth could have persuaded a company to make this kind of PR misstep?
The majority of the workers are former police officers who joined the AA after retiring.Ah. The penny drops. Subversion from inside. If they wanted to be police officers, they should have stayed in the force!
I'm an AA member. Have been for years. I Tweeted their account last night and got an immediate response:
I have accordingly emailed them this morning, and left them in no doubt what I think of this idea. And also left them with no doubt whatsoever that, should they continue with this association, they will no longer have me as a customer.
H/T: Jules Mattsson via Twitter
"I'm an AA member. Have been for years. "
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on staying sober for so long.
Quite right. Why would anyone pay to be a member of an outfit that will shop them to the cops?
ReplyDeleteJust another step down the road of corporatism. It's the future.
ReplyDeleteGot it. Paid - up members get a "mind how you go, sir" and non - members get stiffed?
ReplyDeleteAnd the comments for once are all in agreement that the AA have shot themselves in the foot.
ReplyDeleteAnyway its all totally useless, 20 AA staff have the power. Yeah, that will make a great difference. Shows that it is all about PR and nothing else. And a huge negative PR tactic at that. They think they are doing it show that they are a caring organisation with the needs of the public foremost. What they are really doing is totally the opposite.
Shows how the education, sorry indoctrination, of people has progressed over the last government that people think such actions are normal, right, and proper. It has to be Labour's fault as staff coming up with these ideas will be in their 20s so work back a few years and you find they were being educated according to socialist principles.
Ok I admit my first 'snort latte over the laptop' reaction was "WTF?!?!" too. The AA becoming the next RSPCSS ?!
ReplyDeleteBut then I saw your comment about retired officers.
A Police Officer took an oath before God/the State and as far as I know an Oath can't be repealed or 'retired' from. Like with a priest, if a Police Oficcer was caught butchering and eating small cute childreen, stripped of his office and maybe even sent to prison then he would still remain 'be-oathed'... a police officer.
You take an Oath and its for life...whether you hold the office or not.
You think Ol Blocked Dwarf has finally lost it? Or wondering why I'm suddenly sounding like Captain Hissy Fit?
Well ask yourselves this: whose word would be more likely be believed in court-yours , Mr.AA.Member or "AA Officer P.Snodgrass (Det.Con.Retired)?
Being a Policey man is for life, not just for Xmas.
OCP is becoming a reality in the UK. If an 'AA' person asks me for my name and address it should only be in connection with my breakdown call...anything else they can eff right off. Not that I'd pay their ridiculous charges. As commenters have already asked, what bunch of public sector hi-viz tabard wearing fuckwits will be next to snoop, question and one day even detain? This is fundamentally wrong.
ReplyDeleteIf this is true, Her Majesty needs to step in to stop this rot.
ReplyDeleteThis country will be unable to cope if powers are given to non sworn in employees that are equivalent to police officers.
We are seeing the ultimate destruction of law and order, human rights and general peace. As I have said before, these are the first steps to communism and a dictational state. It needs to be stopped immediately.
*Just a little message for someone. I realise you have been saving my arse big time. Much love to you sweetie.x
The topic was assured predictable foul-mouthed comments from bigoted ex plod who were unsuited to any kind of public service.
ReplyDeleteBut Ranter would speak well of the proposal...subject to a back-door job promise and strings pulled by the AA for a pair of size 14 donor feet.
This has to be looked at pro-actively as a business opportunity. The AA can now be sued for a failure to carry out duties within its legal power.
ReplyDeleteKindly pass the pad of compo forms and the Big pencil.
I might stop vehicles and offer to repair their big end and see how they like it!!
ReplyDeleteMTG said......nothing useful...as usual. Wibble
ReplyDeleteThis story has prompted at least on retired Officer to write to his MP. This is the thin end of what could be a very thick wedge.
ReplyDeleteToo late.
ReplyDeleteThe AA are already have a nice cosy relationship with the police through their franchise for delivering "Speed Awareness" courses.
"Congratulations on staying sober for so long."
ReplyDeleteLOL! I did leave that one open, didn't I?
"Why would anyone pay to be a member of an outfit that will shop them to the cops?"
I won't, if they don't drop this..
"They think they are doing it show that they are a caring organisation with the needs of the public foremost. What they are really doing is totally the opposite."
Spot on!
"A Police Officer took an oath before God/the State and as far as I know an Oath can't be repealed or 'retired' from. "
ReplyDeleteThen let them make 'citizen's arrests' if they want. Once retired they are (or should be) just citizens.
"We are seeing the ultimate destruction of law and order, human rights and general peace."
It's certainly one more step on that road...
" This is the thin end of what could be a very thick wedge."
Indeed. Though as anon points out, their 'Speed Awareness courses' were the very tip of that wedge.
I saw the same article and posted a question on the AA Facebook page. It's still there but the response was
ReplyDelete" In relation to the article you have read, this is for use in limited, pre-approved scenarios only such as at events like the Brighton marathon. Kind Regards, The AA."
To which my reply was
"Limited pre approved scenarios" means YES in my book. As a result the AA is acting as a police force?
They haven't replied to that.
I saw the same article and posted a question on the AA Facebook page. It's still there but the response was
ReplyDelete" In relation to the article you have read, this is for use in limited, pre-approved scenarios only such as at events like the Brighton marathon. Kind Regards, The AA."
To which my reply was
"Limited pre approved scenarios" means YES in my book. As a result the AA is acting as a police force?
They haven't replied to that.