Jottings
News from the UK and around the World
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PC Updates
A detective superintendent with London’s
Metropolitan Police faces a possible
disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct
which could lead to him being sacked. His
offence was to use a phrase coined by
Shakespeare in 1593 which has a present
day dictionary definition of “never doing
anything wrong.” The anti-corruption
officer, who is on restricted duties at
Scotland Yard while the investigation
takes place, is reported to have said in a
briefing that he wanted his officers
actions to be, “whiter than white” when
conducting enquiries. He denies any
wrong-doing and has support from
colleagues who were quoted as saying
there was no “bad intent” and described it
as “political correctness gone stark raving
bonkers.” The issue was prompted by the
Metropolitan Police Commissioner,
Cressida Dick, who reportedly said, “I
know many people have found this
offensive.” As far as has been made
public, none of these people have lodged
a complaint.
Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police are
reported to have paid hundreds of
pounds to provide “banter training” for
employees. The external company
Inclusive Employers delivered the
training and charged £462.50 (€518) for a
half-day workshop. This included guiding
(voluntary) participants, “along the fine
line between fun, stress reducing, morale
raising workplace communication and a
harmful, debilitating and persistent verbal
barrage.” The course follows the sacking
of four officers last year and four more
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being given a final written warning after
they were found guilty of “offensive or
discriminatory” messages on a Whatsapp
group.
Students arriving for their first year at
Edinburgh University are reported to
have been offered badges advising their
colleagues whether they want to referred
to as “he,” “she” or “they.” The students’
union says the move is intended to avoid
“misgendering” those who are
transgender and non-binary. The union
has also published a guide which
recommends ditching the usual opening
of “Ladies and Gentlemen,” instead
referring to “Everybody.”
Public Notices
In Ohio, a plaque bearing the words of