“Right Friendly in future, make sure you always carry your four pence I will ask you to see it.”
This thought Claude was now difficult to believe with the communications and mobile phones officers now have, from what he had seen upon their person at least.
Whilst on foot patrol in the town about 11 30pm one night shift his door handle duty was interrupted when Claude saw a tall man staggering across the High Street. The man stopped by a sports car and attempted to light a cigarette. Although his lighter worked perfectly correctly all his attempts to set the cigarette on fire failed. He was swaying from side to side.
It was with great difficulty that the man managed to get into the car and having done so dropped his keys. It was with even more difficulty that he alighted from the vehicle and was on his hands and knees trying in vain to recover his car keys.
Claude had observed the affair and so eventually walked over to the man. He smelled very strongly of drink, (Police jargon, alcohol itself has no smell, officers were instructed to say drink not alcohol) and when the man did stand he was very unsteady.
Claude formed the opinion the man was at best unfit to drive through drink and at worse positively drunk. Claude was about to make his very first arrest.
What is your name Claude asked the man?
“Ivan Laszlo, he replied. He added a garbled reply, which Claude was unable to understand. In part because of the mans` slurred speech and he appeared from his accent to be of East European origin.
“You are under arrest for being in charge of a motor vehicle, whilst under the influence of drink.” Said Claude and followed this with the caution of those days.
He stopped writing it was now some forty years later could he recall the caution.
“You are not obliged to say anything, unless you wish to do so but if you do, anything you say may be taken down in writing and maybe given in evidence”
“There,” thought Claude he had remembered after all these years.
He was now standing in the High street with this man towering above him. Claude asked a passing member of the public to telephone the Police station and unsurprisingly in those days the person complied.
The reader may not be aware it was and still is an offence to fail to assist a police officer in the execution of his or her duty if called upon to do so.
It was only minutes before the sergeant arrived in the general-purpose vehicle. The prisoner was coaxed into the rear of the vehicle and taken to the police station. The second officer on duty was called at his point and directed to return to the police station. On his arrival he was given the ignition keys of the prisoner’s car, he being a driver, he walked into the High Street and drove the offender’s car to the police station. In those days if a person was arrested and in possession of a motor vehicle or other property the police always recovered the vehicle or other item(s) to the police station.
The reason was they were and possibly still are under an obligation to take care of that person’s property as he or she was in custody. The vehicle was stored on the car park of the police station an entry made in the seized property book and a seized property label put on it.
In cases of accidents or damage the Police called a local garage equipped with a breakdown truck and the vehicle was towed to be secured at the garage.
Once at the police station entering via the rear door all three arrived in the charge office. The sergeant duly logged the prisoner’s details. Claude searched him and having placed “All” the items on the table they were listed on the charge sheet, which was signed, by the sergeant and the prisoner.
The property was then placed into a prisoner’s property bag and secured in a cupboard within the room.
The prisoner was in possession of a new camera of those days, he was taking pictures of the scene around him and the camera printed them out there and then, a wonder in those days. The sergeant permitted the prisoner to temporarily keep the camera to “To keep him occupied” whilst proceedings were completed.
The next stage was to call a local doctor who attended and carried out various tests previously described in this account. They included walking a straight line, reading a newspaper, standing on one leg or picking something up from the floor. From the demeanour of the prisoner the doctor made a judgement as to if the arrested person was fit or unfit to be in charge of or a driver of a motor vehicle.
A later improvement was the prisoner was asked to provide samples or urine into a provided jug; this was divided into parts, one part sent by the police for analysis the other retained by the prisoner. There was another method that of a blood sample obtained by the doctor and divided and sent for analysis like wise.
The evidence of the arresting officer, the doctor and any test results was presented to the Court if the accused pleaded “Not Guilty.”
The doctor in the case of Claude’s first arrest certified the driver was indeed unfit.
When the doctor had left the next step was to remove the prisoners belt, braces and tie if wearing one and finally shoe laces if there were laces in the shoes.
The prisoner was then secured in a cell and visited every hour or half hour depending on the circumstances; visits were logged on the custody sheet.
The next morning when sober the prisoner was directed to clean up the mess in his cell, if any. Once the procedure was done he was permitted to dress, given back his belt and shoes laces. Finally his property which he checked and then signed the custody sheet. The final procedure was to charge him and bail him to appear at Court, later when samples were involved to delay the charge pending the results.
Claude was tasked with finding the charge in the charges book then slowly and with great difficulty typed it out. He then read the charge, cautioned the prisoner once again and noted his reply.
The wording of the caution was slightly different to the first short caution given to a suspect, he was now being charged
“Do you wish to say anything you are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so but whatever you say will be taken down in writing and given in evidence.”
The sergeant accepted the charge and signed the form. Finally asking the prisoner if he wished to be bailed or kept in custody. There was no case in Claude’s memory of a prisoner refusing bail. He signed the bottom of the form to say he would attend the Magistrates Court at the time and date stated failure to attend was another offence. In the cases involving laboratory results the case was proceeded with via a summons.
It was forty years later when Claude had occasion to have contact with his first arrest. The man was seriously ill and in hospital the same time as Claude. Although he was in the next room Claude never met him but recognised his name, the man died, he was nearly ninety years of age.
Before he left the police station all those years ago he handed to Claude the picture he had taken of him in the charge office. Claude had retained the photograph and fortunately it was among the papers Ned the postman had brought to him.
Claude aged 19 years photograph taken by his first prisoner
Claude hesitated from his account, stood and went to the window and outside he saw the quiet water of the canal and a dog jumping in and swimming for a stick being thrown into the water by its owner. A small boy aged about 14 years was sitting fishing armed with a rod, line and a small folding seat.
This caused Claude to reflect all those years ago he was on foot patrol in Broughton and often patrolled on foot along the riverbank.
On one night duty about 2am he was on patrol and saw a boy fishing in identical circumstances though it was the early hours. How things were different now thought Claude. On patrol at such an hour a boy of that age out alone. He asked the boy his name, date of birth and address. Realising he was under the age of 17 years being the defining age for decision on a criminal prosecution as an adult, he had instructed the youth to pack up and having done so walked with him to the police station. Once there Claude had made a telephone call to the local police where the boy lived. An
officer from there had visited the home of the youth and updated his parents and they were instructed to attend Broughton Police Station forthwith to collect their son. On their arrival they were given “Advice” for the future welfare of their son.
One day some months later Claude was on foot patrol crossing the river bridge when a glance down stopped him in his tracks. He hesitated and then looked closer; yes he was correct it was a body. It appeared to be that of a man, dressed in a blue shirt and grey trousers.
He continued to watch as the body came closer and eventually disappeared under the bridge. He then headed at top speed to the police station and reported the matter to the duty sergeant.
An hour later he found himself seated in a rowing boat with two other officers. A motorcyclist named David Ellams and a rural officer covering the area, Kelly Davies.
The location was one where there was a line across the river to which was attached a rowing boat. The boat was used to ferry persons across the river.
It had been calculated the distance they were from the river bridge and the speed of the flowing water how long it would take the body to arrive.
Whilst the three officers were seated there Kelly said “I am pleased you two are here for I am on leave tomorrow, one of you will have to deal with the sudden death, the post mortem and the file.
“Don’t look at me,” said the David Ellams, “I am away on weekend off.”
There was silence and the two officers looked at Claude it was down to him it seemed.
“The point is,” said Claude “I am weekend off I haven’t had one for seven weeks, if I don’t get away today I won’t be able to go away so it will be 14 weeks before I can get back home.”
The silence was interrupted when the rural officer stood up and said, “here it comes.”
Sure enough the body in its blue shirt and grey trousers could be seen bobbing in the water as it approached. Kelly took hold of the long pole with a hook on the end and turned it upside down and as the body floated passed he pressed it down with the end of the rounded pole and said, “blast, missed it.”
Arriving back at the police station the report read, body missed due to water current. The officers felt it wasn’t a serious miss the body was clearly dead and there was nothing to be gained recovering it any earlier.
It was later discovered washed up on a bank in the next county some days later.
Claude became friendly with Dave Ellams, who was now driving patrol cars. Claude was a single man living far from home, no means of transport and unable to socialise whilst off duty. Life was often boring.
As incredible as it now seems when he had finished duty at 2pm if Constable Ellams was on a late shift and alone in the patrol car he would pick up Claude. Claude thought how exciting it was driving around in a patrol car. On occasions travelling to some emergency with two tone horn blaring.
In car chases a similar feeling of exhilaration. Dave was a good driver and on cornering could make the wheels of the patrol squeal and as they did so, he would say, “Tyres sing.”
On some occasions ambulance control would request a police escort to a hospital in a city some miles away. How exciting Claude thought it was all those years ago in his youth. Sitting in a patrol car travelling at speeds nearing 100 mph, holding the public address system, two tone horn blaring and saying, “Driver of such and such a car please pull into the side ambulance behind” and waiving the driver in as they sped past.
Arriving in the city, officers already alerted had switched the traffic lights to green or an officer had stood in the road and stopped all the traffic by hand so the ambulance had a clear run at the fastest sped. The sadness of some journeys when the following ambulance had flashed its headlights, the signal the patient had died, causing the emergency to cease.”
The days of one of the officers, was limited at Broughton police station. One afternoon he was busy cleaning his police car and had just finished and packed up the hosepipe and cloths. The force administration Superintendent Smyth arrived from Headquarters. He left his car and walked around the now sparkling patrol car. He checked inside and outside before finally saying “Lift the bonnet.”
The driver did as he was told and a wipe of the engine caused the visiting senior officer to have a dirty hand. “Dirty engine, get it cleaned.”
The motor patrol officer was moved from driving patrol cars some days later and transferred to beat duties elsewhere. Claude was to hear of another such case years later involving the same senior officer. After retirement he obtained other work and continued in his attitude, his new fellow workers had no experience of his tantrums. There was rumour at the police station their old boss had thrown such a tantrum causing those in the office to lock him in and call the police and ambulance, thinking he was mentally ill.
One evening, after finishing a 2pm to 10pm shift Claude decided to stop off at the Police club for a drink before going to his lodgings. Arriving in the function room, an annex of a business premises it was soon obvious to Claude that anyone who was anyone were members of the police club.
The evening had, it appeared been a harvest festival held to raise money for local charities. There had been drinks followed by food and finally an auction of produce. It was the done thing to attend and purchase items at inflated prices, by the business persons attending not the coppers. All arranged and done for a worthy cause or causes. An auctioneer volunteered his services and a local vicar had been in attendance to lead the prayers and hymn singing. It was just after 11pm the event had finished and Claude was wearing his civilian coat over his uniform as he walked the road home. He had not gone far; in fact the police station was still visible when a car stopped.
He looked; it was the vicar who had presided. The car door opened, “Would you like a lift home, it is a ghastly night?” Asked the vicar, still sporting his Holy Orders.
“Why, thank you vicar,” said Claude and he sat in the vehicle.
Having sat down the vicar began to talk of the service and simultaneously took hold of Claude’s hand and placed it on his own trousers and Claude could feel his erect Penis. The vicar then began to move Claude’s hand around the area.
All the years later Claude thought back and wondered why as he was a Police Officer he had not just arrested the vicar, it certainly would have happened later in his service. Possibly he consoled himself it was due to him being so inexperienced and aged only 19 years old in a strange world and amongst strangers. It would soon transpire his lack of action might well have been fully justified; after all he was still on probation.
No more said, Claude left the car and walked briskly to the police station. When he entered he was in luck the sergeant had arrived from the club and was in his office finishing off something. Claude saw him through the window as he approached and so went directly to his office, saying nothing to the station constable.
“Yes Friendly, what do you want?”
Claude related the incident to him at the end of which the sergeant replied. “I can’t do anything about this now what duty are you on tomorrow?”
Claude replied, “6 am sergeant.”
“Right then go home say nothing I will arrange for you to see the Super in the morning.” He lowered his head and that was the end of the matter.
The next morning Claude arrived at 5 45am and worked until 9 15 am, leaving for his refreshment break. He returned to the police station at 10 am and on arrival was directed upstairs to the sergeant’s office.
“Ah well now,” said the Sergeant “Follow me, and he left the office arriving at the door of the Super, Claude following. He knocked then went inside leaving Claude in the corridor and it was some time before he opened it.
The door opened and a voice called “Friendly come in.”
Claude walked inside and stood to attention in front of the superintendent.
“Now Friendly,” He said, the sergeant here has told me a bit of what you say happened last night, now you tell me.”
Claude repeated the
events again in detail. When he had finished, the superintendent looked and after a hesitation said.
“Now look Friendly, you are making very serious allegations about a very respectable man, a man of the cloth with a long distinguished record both locally and in the armed services. Your allegation amounts to indecency and homosexual conduct. You have no witnesses. If you are not very careful you are very likely to get yourself into very serious trouble over this. My advice to you is to make no more of the matter, say nothing to no one, do you understand.”
“Yes Sir,” replied Claude and that was the end of the matter or so Claude thought.
Many years later, possibly thirty, Claude picked up the County Newspaper; there was a massive headline. Retired vicar found murdered in what is believed to have been a homosexual relationship that went wrong.
Claude felt completely vindicated. Over the years he had occasionally thought of the incident and how he was not believed even by his own senior officers, on the contrary he had received veiled threats when he had attempted to report the matter. He now felt vindicated and in the current climate he fully realised the views of victims from years ago who had been molested and not believed.
On duty one day some months later the sergeant said “Come with me to a domestic dispute, it will be an experience for you.” Claude put on his helmet and both officers left the police station and walked into the town.
Entering an alley adjacent to a pub frequented by officers from the Fire Service after their training sessions it was deemed to be a nice pub. Claude was to soon find there were ramifications for police officers attending there.
At the bottom of the alley was a nice cottage it was occupied by two brothers, they lived alone. The house was well furnished had oak beams and antique items including a long case or Grandfather clock. It would in modern times be described as an ideal home for a family of yuppies, that is to say educated people who have got on in business, had children late in life when their careers were settled and they had secure income and home life. Their children would be known as marmadukes who read the correct books and went to a private school not so in the case of the Brotherton brothers. They were two men in middle age born at the house; never married, parents now dead had left them the house jointly. They were both hard working and hard drinking didn’t get into trouble with the police. On this particular day neighbours, being yuppies had been disturbed by the obvious row-taking place.
Police Memories Page 23