I'm 6 ft and 15 stone, with my helmet on I topped 6 ft 3 inches, but when I joined the police in 1967 we had height restrictions, those who were vertically challenged, were not allowed to join. In these PC (politically correct) days the selection process is different and a vertical challenge or a gender issue is not able to interfere with acceptance by the police. So now we have a number of officers who would feel physically or mentally intimidated by mice or amateur photographers going about their lawful business. One of the points of wearing a helmet, was so that the officer could, if he wished, "loom large" over people in order to nip in the bud or stop disorder by his physical presence alone. In those days we didn't have radios, or tazers or pepper spray, so we learned to talk to people and we learned discretion - two assets to police work that are sadly lacking today. One of the first lessons we were taught is that at Common Law ( the bedrock of all our Laws ) a Constable as an inviolable power of discretion. He or she alone takes the decision whether or not to take action to bring the Law into operation. These days they tend to also lack the common sense that is essential for the office of Police Constable and are incapable of making such judgements. As a retired officer, proud of the service I gave, these sort of incidents make me want to weep at times.
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