Is a policeman ever off duty?

[sandyRoe]

The tragic death of PC Ian Dibell, who died helping a member of the public while 'off duty', brought to mind this case. A constable in the PSNI was refused compensation for injuries caused by a bomb while on his way to work because he wasn't deemed to be on duty.



http://www.thedetail....ion-for-bomb-injuries

[jno]

I suppose if they were always on duty, their overtime pay would get into seven figures.

[Duncer]

I always thought you were "on duty" as you travelled to and from work as the purpose of those journeys was to get to your place of employment, or home from it.

That was certainly the case when I worked in the health service in Belfast in the bad old days in the 1980's.

[cathfromsaron]

that'scertainly a harsh decision in the example!

i agree, it's the same in medicine and nursing etc ... when you are asked to perform your role YOU DO IT, on duty or not!

cath x

[Old_Geezer]

It's a dangerous job; but I guess if someone other than a policeman had been injured on their way to work they would have been in the same position.

Maybe help from society should not depend on where you were when tragedy occurred, for anyone.

[Psybbo]

I've said on another thread(Wonder) no, I have known off duty policemen and women to intervene to help members of the public with no thought for their own safety. Because of their training, they are always alert and, therefore never"off duty"

[TWR]

I really feel for the police in this country, Why? look at Police camera action & see the cr@p they have to put up with from Izzz heads on a Weekend, of late it has been Lincolnshire, why do the police not use the tasers is beyond me, have a look at the equivalent in the USA.

[shaneystar2]

Never ever ..I have a brother who's an ex copper ..he's now 78 ..He's never been off duty :)
It's in their blood .

[firewatch]

No, my husband is a PCSO and is NEVER off duty, hes all ways ready to help when and if he can. Was the same when he was a fire fighterx

[emmie]

No they are not. And this poor man was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I gather that the gunman is dead, perhaps that is just as well.

[Dee Sa]

my sympathy is with the Dibell family, it must be hard to accept that he died whilst not on duty but still willing to help someone obviously in need of urgent help.

[FredPuli43]

They are, strictly speaking, always on duty and retain their powers as police constables at all times.

[dannyk13]

As an ex copper the short answer is no.

[woofgang]

In the days of Dixon, coppers used to have "duty bands" which they put on over their uniform to indicate that they were "clocked on" The expectation however was still that a copper is never actually off duty.
http://gmic.co.uk/ind...police-duty-armbands/

[Paul22118]

A police officer is on duty when he books on for 'duty'. However, because he/she permanently maintains their powers they can place themselves 'on duty' at the drop of a hat. I was on my way to work one day (many years ago) and was in the queue of the post office waiting to buy some stamps. A man in front of me presented a Nat Savings book to withdraw some money and the counter lady questioned the signatures offered. I could see all this over his shoulder so placed myself on duty - and arrested him. Taken to station, charged and given three months the following day in mag court.