Perhaps Jolyon would like to comment on this one, but there seems to be some conversation about having officers carry batons or pepper spray to protect themselves from abusive citizens who resent being given a citation. Read about the issue in Sydney, NSW, here.
It appears that there has been a flood of incidents, with up to a quarter of the officers reporting physical assaults, and most reporting verbal abuse. The city is against "arming" the officers, and it appears the individual parking "rangers" are against the new equipment, but the union has suggested it.
I'm at a loss as to what to think. On one hand, giving officers a baton or spray moves their duties to an entire new level, but on the other, no one should have to put up with physical abuse. I know there are liability issues by the hundreds. What to do?
I would think that perhaps having radio contact with the police would be a solution. If the officer sees the situation beginning to get out of hand, they could call the police and have the person arrested. If the word got out that abusing a parking officer could get you a find and a night in the pokey, perhaps the number of incidents would drop. Often the possibility of a negative result to one's actions have a tempering affect.
JVH
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