Why Nobody Likes RAF Police
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Originally Posted by Wilders85
Interesting thread. But how many respondents are either (ex/current) aircrew or even (ex/current) RAF? (Commissioned or other)
It appears that a lot of hangers on are posting here. People with limited Knowledge or understanding of RAF Life in general.
It appears that a lot of hangers on are posting here. People with limited Knowledge or understanding of RAF Life in general.
The forum itself has terms of reference of :"A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here."
So to that end, (and I deliberately use the mild-jibe banter nouns here), you'll find, variously, Matelots, Crabs, Pongos, Spams, Kiwis, Aussies, Canucks, etc etc.
The main thing is, they all have (or had) a professional interest in military aviation.
For myself, I am a retired pongo. I served with the RAF at Upavon and Brize, in 244 Sig Sqn(AS), a subordinate unit of TCW (at the time). I was a MAOT. So I feel qualified under the "backroom boys" part of the brief. My time at 244 was some of the most rewarding operational work I did in the Army. I gained an understanding (and respect) for the RAF, FAA and AAC. HQ 1Gp MAOTs were often tasked to assist the other three services. I also lived, worked and breathed light blue air for two years. Not long, I agree. But it was the best posting I ever had. The HQ of 1Gp was at Upavon. Half of the NCO complement on the station were snowdrops. Most of them excellent guys. The odd knobber, of course.
I left the forces five years ago, and now live in the US. I fly as civilian pax extremely frequently. I've a vested interest in aviation, even now. I also have a vested interest in tempering the often US-goading comments on here. occasionally, like everyone else, I lose it. But mostly, I'd like to think I'm contributing to cerebral discussion on matters affecting (military) aviation.
Welcome to the forum.
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One thing this thread has shown is that this is a love-hate relationship.
Some "Love to Love", after all not all plod's are single with no kids.
Some "Hate to Hate", yes there's a many a kind soul with a white hat.
Some "Hate to Love", you guessed it. Some plod's are single etc.
Some "Love to Hate", at times we all hit that frame, don't we!
Whatever "suits you, sir" just be glad we are all not the same.
Some "Love to Love", after all not all plod's are single with no kids.
Some "Hate to Hate", yes there's a many a kind soul with a white hat.
Some "Hate to Love", you guessed it. Some plod's are single etc.
Some "Love to Hate", at times we all hit that frame, don't we!
Whatever "suits you, sir" just be glad we are all not the same.
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Why no-body likes the RAF Police
I am new to posting on this site, only my second.
I have read with interest all the comments on this thread, some good some downright bad and not banter in anyway shape or form.
I served the the RAF as a plod and left as a SNCO, now in the civ pol and have been for 13 years and the attitude of some is the same.
"You can't please all of the people all of the time" That's just one phrase that springs to mind. I have read what Wilders85 has said and he has put across a very balanced and, dare I say it, an educated and informed viewpoint.
On the subject of over zealous young A/Cpls, I completed 2 tours at the RAF Police School whilst it was at Newton in the 80's and whilst there dispensed with the services of more than one so called instructor, on the Basic Provost Training Flt, for a number of reasons from being crap themselves through to inappropriate behavious with female trainiee's.
I tried to use the maxim that you treat people the way you expected and deserved to be treated yourself. You can always turn the screw if need be but jump in with both feet and walk away with your head in your hands. As an instructor, as some of you may be yourselves, what happens after training is beyond your control. the scariest thing for me was if A/Cpl XX was a tosser, the first question would be, "Who the hell was your instructor?". Say no more about that.
Yes there are good and bad, but the management structure must take some responsibility. I can remember saying to my Boss, a young inexperiened, newly trained and commisioned Fg Off, (ex JT who wanted to get his own back), that it was my responsibility to guide and advise junior officers in the ways, traditions and ethics of the service. The door shut and the guidance was administered. To his credit he was honest enough to accept it. The section went from strength to strength as did our standing on the unit.
Yes there are too many RAFP who waltz around as if they are civ pol, I say come and do it and me a break please. Come and deal with all the crap and s**t we have to put up with, I wish I was still back - barrier up, barrier down.
It's nice to think you keep the unit safe and all those people sleeping in their beds and to an extent the RAFP do that, deterrent value alone, but lets not get carried away. The sole purpose of the RAF is to fly aircraft in time of war, keep that in your mind also, but please those of you who are aircrew and aircraft technicians, drop the prima donna attitude I remember, maybe that way everyone might get on.
By the way the banter is great, love it, sadly it is disappearing from the civ pol too....
Hope this reply makes sense and being a thick plod I have got my thoughts across, if not tough. On another subject we all have stories to relate - me included .....
TwoBoats stands back and waits for incoming ... stab vest on, CS spray loaded, kwickuffs at the ready, PR24 drawn and ready for super strike ...
I have read with interest all the comments on this thread, some good some downright bad and not banter in anyway shape or form.
I served the the RAF as a plod and left as a SNCO, now in the civ pol and have been for 13 years and the attitude of some is the same.
"You can't please all of the people all of the time" That's just one phrase that springs to mind. I have read what Wilders85 has said and he has put across a very balanced and, dare I say it, an educated and informed viewpoint.
On the subject of over zealous young A/Cpls, I completed 2 tours at the RAF Police School whilst it was at Newton in the 80's and whilst there dispensed with the services of more than one so called instructor, on the Basic Provost Training Flt, for a number of reasons from being crap themselves through to inappropriate behavious with female trainiee's.
I tried to use the maxim that you treat people the way you expected and deserved to be treated yourself. You can always turn the screw if need be but jump in with both feet and walk away with your head in your hands. As an instructor, as some of you may be yourselves, what happens after training is beyond your control. the scariest thing for me was if A/Cpl XX was a tosser, the first question would be, "Who the hell was your instructor?". Say no more about that.
Yes there are good and bad, but the management structure must take some responsibility. I can remember saying to my Boss, a young inexperiened, newly trained and commisioned Fg Off, (ex JT who wanted to get his own back), that it was my responsibility to guide and advise junior officers in the ways, traditions and ethics of the service. The door shut and the guidance was administered. To his credit he was honest enough to accept it. The section went from strength to strength as did our standing on the unit.
Yes there are too many RAFP who waltz around as if they are civ pol, I say come and do it and me a break please. Come and deal with all the crap and s**t we have to put up with, I wish I was still back - barrier up, barrier down.
It's nice to think you keep the unit safe and all those people sleeping in their beds and to an extent the RAFP do that, deterrent value alone, but lets not get carried away. The sole purpose of the RAF is to fly aircraft in time of war, keep that in your mind also, but please those of you who are aircrew and aircraft technicians, drop the prima donna attitude I remember, maybe that way everyone might get on.
By the way the banter is great, love it, sadly it is disappearing from the civ pol too....
Hope this reply makes sense and being a thick plod I have got my thoughts across, if not tough. On another subject we all have stories to relate - me included .....
TwoBoats stands back and waits for incoming ... stab vest on, CS spray loaded, kwickuffs at the ready, PR24 drawn and ready for super strike ...
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Last week on a Secret Yorkshire Pointy Things Base, I actually had a cadet who wants to be an RAF Plod when he grows up. He was sent for an hour and a half's chat with the RAFP and came back enthusiastic. So there are at least some people who love them...
Tim (who likes to put the Camp into 'Camp Commandant')
Tim (who likes to put the Camp into 'Camp Commandant')
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Originally Posted by tmmorris
Last week on a Secret Yorkshire Pointy Things Base, I actually had a cadet who wants to be an RAF Plod when he grows up. He was sent for an hour and a half's chat with the RAFP and came back enthusiastic. So there are at least some people who love them...
Tim (who likes to put the Camp into 'Camp Commandant')
Tim (who likes to put the Camp into 'Camp Commandant')
Or did they mention "barrier up, barrier down"?
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I had an interview with the Feds once, and was amazed at their interview technique. Whilst I answered their questions in my usual evasive manner, one of them was knodding encouragement when I was wriggling off the hook, and then glaring at me when I was saying something that might be self-incriminating. They really helped me out, making sure what I said on the tape would be transcribed in the best way
Outcome? All charges dropped, career saved.
Outcome? All charges dropped, career saved.
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Originally Posted by TwoBoats
Another uality constructive, objective comment - well done rocket chucker
I think that it's obvious when reading this thread that the only peoply who don't hate RAFP are... RAFP.
It is undeniable, apparently, that the RAFP do carry out some important work (imagine having to get out of you car & press the 'barrier up' button every time you came through the gate, especially during the winter) however, this work is far far far outweighed by the number of absolute kn*bbers in the trade.
On a visit to Spadeadam, I was stopped by a RAFP who had been allowed out, all on his own, with a speed gun. Although I was indeed driving above the speed limit (45 in a 40), I had infact carried out the horrific offence on a civilian road leading up to the range.
"Excuse me sir, as I'm sure you're aware, this is a 40mph zone & I've just clocked you at 45. Although I'm not going to take any action this time etc etc... drive more carefully etc etc... should be setting an example etc etc."
At which point my passenger interrupted, "Sorry cpl, may I interrupt?"
RAFP "Of course sir."
Passenger, pointing his finger further up the road, "Why don't you have a cup of shut the f
k up & get yourself back onto MoD property!"Our little RAFPs face was a picture as he turned and realised he was standing on the wrong side of the 'MoD Property' sign.
Didn't even have the brains to double check that he was clean as a whistle before locking & loading his ray gun. T
T!!!!
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How many of you lot are ex flying lootenants, ex sqn ldrs or ex wingcos who had to leave HM employment earlier than you had planned because you had reached your ceiling of competence in your jobs, as explained very thoroughly in your annual confidential reports by your station commanders of yesteryear ?
Just wondering, of course
Just wondering, of course
Originally Posted by Shjustme
How many of you lot are ex flying lootenants, ex sqn ldrs or ex wingcos who had to leave HM employment earlier than you had planned because you had reached your ceiling of competence in your jobs, as explained very thoroughly in your annual confidential reports by your station commanders of yesteryear ?
Just wondering, of course
Just wondering, of course
Barrier up, errr what's next.
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Originally Posted by Shjustme
How many of you lot are ex flying lootenants,
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Barrier up - barrier down
"Oh sorry sir, did the barrier hit the bonnet of your car whilst you demanded I salute you
Tops - you deserve it you pr**k.
Now f**k off and stop bothering my Cpls
Certainly Mr P******, says Plt Off Knob, I seem to remember them saying anything else.
No F**k little boy and come back when you have some time in, and then I will still chew your arse!!!!!! and did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhh the beauty of being a RAFP WO - wonderful and memorable - want some more stories? Got loads and loads !!! However, be careful, open Pandora's Bix and you may regret what you have done and what you get ......
"Oh sorry sir, did the barrier hit the bonnet of your car whilst you demanded I salute you
Tops - you deserve it you pr**k.
Now f**k off and stop bothering my Cpls
Certainly Mr P******, says Plt Off Knob, I seem to remember them saying anything else.
No F**k little boy and come back when you have some time in, and then I will still chew your arse!!!!!! and did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhh the beauty of being a RAFP WO - wonderful and memorable - want some more stories? Got loads and loads !!! However, be careful, open Pandora's Bix and you may regret what you have done and what you get ......
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Originally Posted by TwoBoats
Ahhh the beauty of being a RAFP WO - wonderful and memorable -
Dear Two Bics;
You MUST have been very nice to the brains on the chain to reach the heady heights of Chief Barrier Operator!!!
More LAter;
'J' Bloke...
TAC Int Bloke
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barrier stories.......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz oh how I wish I'd joined the big brave RAFP and got to act as a jumped-up little Nazi
-still, keeps the topic near the top, so can't be all bad
-still, keeps the topic near the top, so can't be all bad