Police Confidence...

[Homer67]

In my experience the Police are terrible at keeping anonymity secure. A long time ago the Police badgered me into giving evidence on an assault case and told me the  perpetrator would not find out my ID and I would not have to see them in court.

 

On the day  I turned up and was escorted by two cops who decided they wanted breakfast and walked me straight to the court canteen and sat me opposite the perpetrator - I had no idea who he was and was wondering why this bloke was staring at me so I asked the cops and they said "oh that's the bloke you're giving evidence against"

 

I was fuming and wanted to walk out there and then but the cops told me I would be held in contempt if I did.

 

Consequently it turned out this bloke lived near me and after asking around he identified me and turned up in the pub one day and made threats, I reported that to the Police who did precisely nothing.

 

Over the years I have had the usual interactions with the Police that most law abiding  people do (neighbour was burgled etc) and each time they have proven themselves disinterested or downright incompetent. 

 

I would never trust the Police or help them again.

Edited May 16, 2023 by Homer67

[Homer67]

I realise my reply will scare her, unfortunately that's what happened to me.

 

It could happen to her, at least now she knows.

[Homer67]

@honeybee13 I did make an official complaint as well as the subsequent report of the bloke making threats and nothing happened, no feedback, no support, nothing.

 

This was about 35 years ago, I have had various innocent interactions with the Police since then (traffic stuff and reporting crime for others) and I am wholly unimpressed with every experience I have had with them.

[Homer67]

I would certainly hope that things have changed in the last 30 odd years regarding complaints being handled correctly but the original question was about the Police's ability to secure confidentiality.

 

I hope that's improved as well but I have doubts!

 

If what your friend said was taken as a statement then I believe she has the option to withdraw that statement by notifying the Police she wishes to do so, they will try to pressure her to not do that but she just needs to say she wants to withdraw.

 

If what she said wasn't an official statement then the Police can't use it anyway.