Shot from a police helicopter

Michael McIntyre is in the news having been photographed from a police helicopter in London.  The picture was then tweeted by a police officer.

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The ground operations director for the National Police Air Support Unit, Superintendent Richard Watson, said: "We are aware of the tweet and, as far as we are aware, it does not breach any data protection legislation. We feel however it was inappropriate and it has since been removed.  We will be speaking to the person who posted the tweet."

Well, that is good to know.  If I am ever stopped by the police for breaking the law I will tell them, “as far as I am aware, I’ve not breached any laws”. 

Sadly this is appears to be just yet another case of police making the rules up as they go along.  Everyone who deals with images in the police will have been well taught what is within data protection laws and what is not.  If something as basic as the handling of data and evidential material is so flawed, what chance of a really serious case being thrown out of court because of an officer’s illegal behaviour.  I think I know what I am talking about here having Chaired one of the UKs geographically largest CCTV operations for many years.  Data security and complying with legislation was our number one priority.  As you would expect.

What is wrong with these people?  Do none of them ask the very basic question, “what will this look like on the front of tabloid papers tomorrow morning?”  That some police officer even thought it was appropriate in the first place calls into question his or her judgement.

We know what is wrong.  The culture.  Whether it is unlawful use of images or more serious issues like the killing of Mr Tomlinson, it is a culture that is permissive of wrongdoing that pervades. And in every organisation where does the culture come from?  The Leader.  Everyone mimics the behaviour of the Leader.  So you know what kind of Leader you have by the way the  people who work for them behave.  Oh, and not a word of apology about a gross intrusion into Mr McIntyres life.

Mind you, just be thankful you don't live in Los Angeles where shooting by the police takes a rather more dangerous form.