Craig

I recently purchased this badge described as belonging to a Maitre-Chien ( Dog Handler ) of the French Foreign Legion. I have seen plenty of the badges for sale and some discussion on legion forums concerning the use of dogs for security and on combat operations but I can find no photos of it in wear. My questions are. 1. Is it a true legion badge 2. How would it be worn 3. Is there different designs or colour concerning rank of the handler. 4. Are there any photos out there in wear. If you can excuse the pun I hope I haven't bought a pup! Craig

Cheers Alex, I take it W was Wandsworth at this time? I would have thought for admin reasons it would have been Lambeth was L division going then? Craig

Gents, I've had an 1887 Jubilee medal to a P.C R Rowther of W division. Does anyone have any information on him? Is it true that W Division at this time covered Norbury before the founding of Z and if so could it be possible P.C Rowther was posted here? Thanks in advance Craig

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24178228 I will believe it when I see it!

The original photo of the dog handler Sergeant is in our office. We reckon its staged around the section house at Sunbury. We don't wear helmets anymore officially we wear flat caps unofficialy we go bare headed.

No its a drop in standards to be more inclusive. Thats why you've got 5 foot coppers walking the beat.

Its not all that rosy in the UK either! BBC News - 900 police and community officers have criminal record ...

Oliver, They don't issue night duty helmets anymore. I think you would have to go back to the late 60's early 70's though I'm sure one of our members will know the exact dates and make up of the helmets Craig

I've often wondered where it came from. You have to admit the criminal classes do come up with some good names. Watching that video took me back in time to the old Granadaland I think it was the late Bob Greaves doing the VoiceOver Craig

List of police-related slang terms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_police-related_slang_terms‎

there was a documentary made by Granada in the 80's on the first Mereseyside Derby and the final scenes were the fans getting home in the early hours. A few were heading home the worse for wears and the conversation was to keep an eye out for the blue meanies or they could get lifted. Maybe they were just taking the mick out of the Manchester camera crew! Craig

Very apt that you have a Blue Meanie behind you. In Liverpool some refer to the Police as this! Craig

Stunning!

No CO officers are an elite band!! Specials use the usual Divisional letters but with 4 numbers starting with a 5. I thought CO was Commissioners Office? Its now Central Operations.

Empress State is not open to the general public. Its hard enough to get in as a serving officer!

Female officers will wear their hair short and tied up!!

I never knew that fantastic information! Must be quite rare?

A very brave man. I don't know if its a myth but I was told that in the Met you got a Commisioners commendation for stopping a runaway horse.

They all have criminal records !!

Ok Gentleman this post is now locked. We can all see that this post has veered away from any Historical perspective into a political discussion. I understand that those of you from SA or Expats have very strong views on the running and history of your country. Please feel free to continue this discussion amongst yourselves by IM. We have at GMIC always prided ourselves on the No Politics rule. Im sure you can see plenty of examples of this with moderator rulings. Would members please not attempt to slip politics into posts under the pretence of historical record. Thank you for your cooperation Craig Vice Chairman

Done that a few times!

With the use of Velcro!

Wasn't it organised by the former Welsh Secretary Peter Haine MP?