To whom it may concern,
RE: Complaint over PCSO misconduct/abuse of powers in Hull
On 30/01/10 I engaged on a night out with my friends to celebrate my birthday. I am a non-drinker and have been for the last 3 or so years. On this night I decided to accept the alcoholic drinks my friends had bought me and thus became quite intoxicated as the night progressed. However, since I am allergic to alcoholic the intoxication mostly affects my body, first debilitating motor-neuron control (thus slurring, lack of balance, blurred vision, etc.) but my mental capacities keep intact. After leaving Spiders nightclub, Hull I was on my way to my friend's car to be taken home and as I walked the need came upon me to urinate. By the time I could not hold it in anymore I was at my friend's car and in fear of the embarrassment peeing myself in my friend's car would cause I urinated behind some large commercial bins in the street, out of sight of public view. Literally no-one saw me pee. The most anyone could have seen was my back and a stream of liquid hitting the floor in front of me, but no member's of the public passed by while I did this. At this point PCSO Delph and two other officers approached me and asked me what I was doing. Out of panic and shock I stupidly said I was just adjusting myself and after being pushed I then admitted what I was doing. I knew peeing in public was something the police could tell you off for but I was in no way aware it was a criminal offence. Had I had the cleaning equipment I would have been happy to clean it up and thus undo any damage to property I may have caused. I have to tell you I am a sometime transvestite that prefers to go on nights out dressed in women's clothing and make-up and I was fully aware of the two officers not issuing me with the ticket suppressing sniggers, smiling mockingly at me as if to ridicule. I also felt that PCSO Delph was being quite unreasonable with me because I was dressed so differently to the norm. I felt this was a sign of intolerance and the cold also seemed to cause them to me irritable, even though I had far less warm covering on than them and I wasn't getting paid for the pleasure either. PCSO Delph also told me that as well as having to pay £80 I would not have a criminal record. When I asked to confirm that again PCSO Delph repeated that I would have to pay £80 and have a criminal record. She said I could appeal it but since I thought I was being done for just peeing in the street I said it was pointless. Because I could not see to read in my intoxicated state I did not see what was written on the ticket until the next morning. I noticed that PCSO Delph had written that I was “Urinating in a public place likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress”. I have had nightmares over this event for the last 6 nights. I have found it hard to concentrate at work (as a charitable projects worker, might I add) for worrying and have become physically ill from just being generally down and feeling victimised and helpless. Who then, may I ask, do you think has suffered the most harassment, distress and alarm out of this encounter? The officers obviously thought it was hilarious so not them. My friends sympathise with me, so definitely not them. Who protects me from harassment, distress and alarm when the police are the ones causing it? Who polices the police? I've always had faith in this country's justice system and police, and indeed a major part of my job is to work with the police to tackle anti-social behaviour but the intolerance and unfairness of a small number of officers have just disenfranchised me to the whole police authority. I hope you can restore my faith in you.
I have to say also that these three officers where waiting there in an unmarked car, to my mind, obviously waiting to bust people for committing the offence that I myself committed. This, on a Saturday night when violence and drunken disorder in Hull City Centre is at it's peak. Yet these officers where just casually watching a quiet area on the off chance that someone pees. When I have been the victim of violence and crime in Hull City Centre on a Saturday night I am told that all officers are busy so I cannot be attended to. Is this what they are busy with? Catching drunk people peeing? If so perhaps police priorities need to be looked at by yourselves again.
I am informing you now that I am contesting the ticket as I believe it implies a criminal act greater than the one caused. This is not to undermine the system of keeping public order but to ensure that fairness and understanding remain the backbone of the British policing system as I'm sure you would fully support.
Yours Faithfully,
Me
