The Old Bill Banks Big Bucks From Police Chase Videos
Normally, I let The Newspaper cover stories about police perfidy, especially as it relates to speeding. But I was cruising the net this evening, looking for titillation. Oh wait, that was before my wife came home. Ahem. So it seems that the UK police have found a nice little earner in their police chase videos. The News of the World reports that aliens are purchasing the tapes for Elvis’ amusement, deep within his lunar enclave. Oops! That’s the Weekly World News (e.g. “North Pole Requests Bailout”). The other News says “POLICE forces are FLOGGING off video clips of car chases and traffic emergencies to TV shows . . . raking in up to £555-A-MINUTE.” [NB: FLOGGING means selling, not whacking someone with a cat ‘o nine tails.] What’s WRONG with THAT, you ask? (Selling the videos, not whacking someone with a cat ‘o nine tails.) Sweet FA, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers. It “APPROVES of selling the footage. And it even takes a 10 per cent CUT, from Police, Camera, Action! payments for viewing the programmes to ensure they “convey a general message about road safety”. Yes, well, back in the day, this reporter documented the UK’s flawed police pursuit policy, which resulted in the needless death of dozens of innocent bystanders. Just sayin’…
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Who exactly is selling these videos? Shouldn't they already be in the public domain?
Her Majesty's police are not public servants. The police are part of the "Home Office" (as is MI5). If you are adept at torrentz, look for a program called "Police Interceptors"---a UK program that features the police unit that uses Evo's and WRX's for pursuit.
Regarding the title of the post: It's "the Old Bill", not just Bill. Or if you prefer, "Mr. Plod" or "the Jacks".
factotum: "If you are adept at torrentz, look for a program called “Police Interceptors”—a UK program.." Sounds good. But I wonder if they had to license that term from Ford. Since the 50's (if not earlier) Ford has called their police package vehicle "Interceptor." Maybe they never trademarked it, or if the did, the trademark doesn't apply to a TV show in the UK.