The History of a Met

               Constable Watson went with us because for this particular museum to be able to look in it a person has to schedule an appointment before hand. This museum is not like any other museum I have ever attended because it is a small room with books and different showcases. Just like any other police department there is history of when they started and how their uniforms looked and continued to change over the years.

             The first thing we were shown at this museum was a changing moment for me ever since, for my criminal justice career. Our tour guide pulled out a huge book from the back that has the signatures of the officers when they take an oath and begins their officer careers. He found Constable Watson’s signature and Constable Watson told us he remembers that day even though it has been over thirty years since he signed that book. That moment had such an impact on me because even though in the states we do not sign a book I want my name to hit a source that logs the name of officers. I want to take an oath to begin my officer career to do well in a community. Even though I hardly know Constable Watson his long-term career history is something that truly inspires be to have a future like that and I look up to him as a successful man in the criminal justice field. 

            Our tour guide then moved on to explain the first weapons, sources of light, sources of sound for sirens, and radios. Just by seeing the transformation over time to each tool that an officer had to carry was incredible because from what they started out with and what those same tools have came to be now is completely incredible.  Back when the Mets first started all of their equipment was completely heavy and would be hard to carry it all.  Then we moved on the see the men’s first uniform and their goal was trying to not look like the military. These uniforms were very plain and not much to them. One piece of equipment that was in the same showcase that interested me was a gold crown on a stick. This was how the officers would carry the warrens for people.  We were told that back in the day if a person was tapped on the shoulder by this crown, it was called “you have been crown.” In other terms you have been found and arrested; which I thought was neat because officer do not do that at all with warrants. There where several of different showcases that have the different uniforms and different types of hats for the males in the department. It was just so interesting to see the formation and transitions of the Mets for male officers. 

            In every part of history there is a part where females make their own way of getting involved. Back when females started to be officers their main focus was women and children.  They did not have the power to arrest yet. This power for women did not come into effect until the year 1923. Their uniforms consisted of a form of hat, long sleeved button up coat, long skirt, stockings, and boots. The entire uniform was in all black. Over the years it did not have a huge change except for the style of hats and the lengths of the coats, boots, or skirts. Since I have been in London I have seen women officers and their uniforms are now pants, shirt, and a hat. They look more like the males uniform and now they have the same duties that the male officers have.

            There were little things in the museum that we learned about such as the different badges from when royalty would change.  There was a situation with George the eighth was not going to be king but there were already badges out on the street and the officers had to bring them back and trade them in. Well come to find out the badges are worth a good chunk of money now. We also look at metals that were awarded to people over the years that help stand against criminals that got hurt or injured while in the process. There were so many different types of metals that were rewarded to people. One little detail that we got to look at was the copies of the notes from Jack the Rippers case. There was a picture of a woman named Mary Pearcey and in quotations it said, “Jill the Ripper.” We asked the guide why it would say that and he explained to us that people though it could be a woman that is kill all of these other women. He also expressed that women beck in these times were mean and just as insane as men were. All these little bits of information were very exciting and are what help transform the Mets in the type of police department that they are today. Finding out how the Mets became the Mets that they are today makes me appreciate their line of work and have more respect for their department. 

Fun In London

     Every experience in London has been fun and life changing; but even on our free days we have chosen to do things that has widened my view of the world. The things that we have done in our free time was go to a zoo, a tour through London Dungeon, ride on the London Eye, and even hit the London’s Natural Science Museum. A few of these things you can do in a America which I have but it is still a completely different experience in London then in America.

            Even though I am twenty-one years old I still love going to the zoo and seeing all the animals. I believe that each time I go to a zoo I learn different information about the animals or the exhibits. Before walking into the zoo, we had to walk though Regents Park and this was a park that I have never seen in America before. This park was gorgeous and completely open. There was not a jungle gym like you would see in America; there was just open grass, trees, and a walking path. I wish we could have parks like this in America but we just do not have the space for parks to be this big or the money for the up keeping of a park like Regents Park. When we arrived to the front of the zoo I was expecting the zoo to be smaller then any zoo I have ever been to, but once we saw the lay out of the map it was a pretty good sized zoo. Every animal experience was breath taking and cute. My personal favorite would hands down be the Gorillas and the baby Gorilla that just arrived there as well. This zoo was the only zoo that I saw four different Gorillas in one exhibit. We walked through the entire zoo saw every exhibit possible and it only took us half of the day. I enjoyed the zoo so much, but it was not my favorite thing we did in our free time so far. The London Dungeon by far has been my favorite thing we have done.

            The London Dungeon is a tour that was based on the years where being beheaded was the most common punishment. The tour also highlighted the major criminals and their actions at this time period as well. Being a criminal justice major, I personally found this beneficial because we got a chance to learn more about the criminal acts of London’s history. Plus there were a few rides a long the way and people jumping out from time to time to keep people on their feet. People’s costumes and the details along the tour were just intriguing to me to look at. I personally think that living through this particular time period where people were beheaded for their criminal actions was cruel but they did not know any better. I took so much from this tour where I want to learn more, so later is week I decided I am going to Jack the Ripper tour. After being scared about the criminals that once walked around London we made our way to see the glorious view from the top of the London Eye.

            The London Eye is a famous ferris wheel that moves so slow that the ride all the way around is about thirty minutes long. To get on and off this ride you have to jump on it and off of it when it is still moving. The area you get into is like a huge room with glass enclosing it and a bench in the middle of it. There is a good amount of people that can fit into one of these and still have plenty of room to more around. It was amazing to see London in a different view. The higher you got the further in London you could see. I am not huge on heights but this was completely worth every foot I was off the ground because I got some of my favorite picture of London while being on the London Eye. By the time the ride was half way over our entire group was ready to get off because it just took so long. It was something I will remember doing for the rest of my life.

            I have mentioned in a previous blog that I am not much of a person for history, but it was suggested to attend a museum while in London. As a group we decided to go to London’s Natural History Museum and I actually really enjoyed the exhibits that we looked at. I spend most of my time in the space and earthquake exhibits because that part of science it what grabs my attention the most.  Parts of the exhibit, were so well put together that just amazed me; like the entrance to the space exhibit we rode up an escalator and went through a huge structure of Earth. Even though it was a museum of science it was time well spent. 

            Even though we call it free time, to me it is all time well spent because I have enjoyed everything we have done in London. I believe that everything I have seen and learned about has opened my eye to see what the world as to offer.  

Global Consequences of Local Behavior

  We first met Constable Richard Watson on Tuesday to show us the Special Operation Room. He is a true character that loves to crack jokes about everything including Dr. Nobiling. We started out watching a video of London's police in action at different events. Then he showed us the Special Operation Room; and further explain how the process works to make the room run smoothly. The system they have set up for events is very interesting.
    The system that they call proceeder for this room is that there will be three people at one set of computers. The roles to the people was the over seer, who gave command and made sure everything ran smoothly. This was the person in charge which if something went wrong then they would receive the heat for it. The next person is the communicator who needs to stay calm and collected to make sure a situation is handled correctly. The next person is the recorder who takes all the notes of what is happening, for records such as in court cases. All three of these roles are important and where there is an event going on then the shifts are an hour with a thirty minute break following behind. This system works because there is so much information coming in where no one can just use half their attention and needs to stay rested.

  The bigger picture of the police for in London was broken down to us by Constable Watson. The way he explained it to us was that police officers were broken down in gold, silver, and bronze. Gold would give the command to silver which would result into them passing it down to bronze. It was their way of chain of command. In this Special Operation Room there was different rooms for meetings of the gold staff and silver staff. The bronze officers where at the computers in the big part of the operation room.  In this system the officers know their roles and not trying to over power an officer that they have no power over.
  The reason that I gave this blog the title of Global Consequences of Local Behavior is because Constable Watson told us that he will sit at home and watch the news and no matter what happens and where it happens at, it will raise the threat to London and they need to make sure they are ready for anything. A prime example that he gave us was the Boston Bombing. Even though that happened in the states, their parathion was a week after and they had to increase their security staff and make sure it would not happen in London like it did in Boston. Any local behavior that happens in the world can effect police procedure at anytime because they need to be ready for anything. London is highly secured because there is so many different cameras around that they can keep an eye out on televisions and be more prepared.
   Another thing that that really makes me think of consequences of local behaviors is that if the Special Operation Room goes down there would be a big problem because it is the only location that is fully staffed and equipped. It makes me think that if people rebelled and went after that building then there is a change that London police would be in "dark," until they arrived to a new operations building. To me that is a little frighting because the consequences of the matter. People's behaviors do not only effect the consequences to local location but if the behavior has a huge consequence like a bomb then it will effect the globe as a whole.

Transportation In London

   In any country transportation is a way of life; but the forms of transportation is different every where a person travels. Leading up to our departure we had discussed the Tube, how cars drive on the opposite side of the road, and the fact that bikes are everywhere. We had an idea of what to expect when we arrived in London, but everything changed when I stepped off of the plane in London.
   In London everything is on the opposite side compared to the United States, such as the car on the road and the drivers seat. To me personally it is so weird because we have been taught for years that the American way is how we should drive. I have been in many different cities where there has been a lot of traffic. The traffic in London is something I have never seen before. The cars and busses drive fast and do not want to stop for nothing or anyone. It is a very fast paced environment , which I was not really prepared for.
   The Tube was entire different experience because I have been on the subway before but I think it is completely different. The first time we stepped on the Tube it was not extremely busy which we were fortune for. The Tube was a lot quieter then what the subways I have been on were. Even though people keep to themselves in London I have seen a few acts of kindness while being on the Tube. I have seen a gentleman give up his seat for a woman that was using arm crushes to help her walk. I also have witnessed men giving up their seats for women to sit which is very rare to see not only in America but in this day of age. The second time on the Tube is an experience for the books. The Tube was at our stop when we were coming down the stairs. So Dr. Nobiling decided we were going to make a run for it. In this process I dropped my Tube pass, which I had to stop and pick up. The doors began to close and I did not want to be the only student left behind. I thought it was a smart idea to put my hands between the closing doors and push my way through. Luckily, I was successful at this because I made my way through and a handsome gentleman that was standing there commented on my strength. I was extremely embarrassed and realize what I just had done was very dangerous. But I am still proud of myself for not being left or having my arm cut off. The Tube will always be a memory within itself.
   Before coming on this trip were always discuss the walking and the lengths we have to walk a day. I enjoy all the walking we have been on because I know I will have great legs afterwards! But what I find so terrifying about the walking is crossing the streets. Even though the roads tell you what direction to look at, it still scares me I could really get hit. We have had a few close calls with our group that we laugh about now. The one situation I will not forget is when we were looking for a college pub as a group. We were waiting to cross a street and Brenna decided it was a good time to cross and a bike was coming right at her. I remember screaming bike! All she could do was scream and stand right there. I though the bike was going down and it was just going to be a mess. Luckily it was not and we laughed so hard that my ribs hurt for ten minutes. She has been considered the child of the group that needs helps crossing the streets of London. As the days go by I get less scared of crossing the streets of London. I believe that I am starting to adopt to the culture of London and there transportation ways.

Expanding Worldview of British History

      I am not a girl that thinks history is exciting or even wanting to pay attention to try to learn something new. The first day in the United Kingdom has already changed my mind about several of different things, such as history. Within an hour of being in a different country we were scheduled to tour the Windsor Castle. When I decided to come on this trip I decided to keep an open mind about everything; my first step was to keep an open mind when entering the history of Windsor Cattle.
    The castle was beautiful, but it was not until I stepped into St. George's Chapel when I was speechless. The gothic architecture is what grabbed my attention because it was nothing I have ever seen before. We had headsets that explained every part of history that was in the Chapel from the angels that were carved in the walls to the memorial of princess Charlotte and her stillborn child. Which her death changed British history forever because her aunt Victory took the thrown. The chapel was for worship and walking around the entire chapel I really got that feeling and the respect for chapel as well.
    The next point of history was Mary's Dollhouse. When I was a child I had my share of dollhouses, dolls, and their clothes. But the dollhouse I saw in the castle was like no other dollhouse I have ever seen in my life. It was huge and detailed to every dish on the dinning room table to a dog in the yard. All sort of painters and designers added a little something to this dollhouse to make it complete. Mary received this dollhouse from Queen Victoria, which was a gift that is now part of the British history of Windsor Castle. Something else that I noticed was the fashion of the doll clothes that were presented compared to the doll's clothes we have in America today.
    To make my way throughout the castle rooms became bigger and the details became sharper. Listening to the history of each room and the suppose that room had and to who; my infatuation with history started to grow. Each painted had so much detail with a story to go along with it. Each chandelier glisened at every angle of lighting. Even the stairs you walked up has been walked by royalty.  
   Once I was finished with the tour of Windsor Castle I was full of emotions. These emotions was excitement because I for once in my life enjoyed history and took so much away from it by that one tour of a castle. Also I began to think that it would not be so bad to be royalty in the United Kingdom. It was only the first day here and I have already benefited so much from coming in with an open mind. I have so much more history to learn about while on this trip and I am ready for it all! Happy London!

Gun Laws in UK vs. US

   Guns in the United States is almost a way of life for Americans; in the UK their gun laws are more restricted. In the US, we use guns for police officers, hunting, and for shooting sports. It can be easily said that the US is very reliant on our firearms. In the second Amendment, it states that we have the right to bare arms and I believe that Americans take full advantage of it. Citizens find freedom in firearms because they can be use them for fun such as hunting and also protection in a household. Police officers in the US find firearms as a source of a defense mechanism against criminals. A negative result to having guns available in the US is that guns can be placed in the wrong hands and be used to commit criminal acts. This raises the rates to have higher gun crimes in the US. It would be hard to do without guns in the US, but somehow the UK has found a perfect balance in their gun laws.
    The gun laws in the UK is a completely different situation than in the US. It is very uncommon for UK's citizens to have firearms and even for their police offers. I am not saying that they do not have guns at all because they do. It is just the laws are stricter than in the US. For example, any citizen in the UK that has a gun has to be licensed. Citizens go through programs to become licensed. There are major restrictions when it comes to the UK's police officers because not every officer gets to carry a gun like the US. There are very few officers who carry guns in the UK but the ones that do are specially trained and licensed. It would be looked at that the UK has had more control over their guns privileges to citizens and police officers. This results into low statistics in gun crimes.
     By having these two different cultures and looking at the situations that they have with guns and the laws pertaining to guns, it goes to show not every culture can have the same laws. We have to look at the situations that they have been through over the years and what would be best for the cultures now. As I explained, the UK has never had a problem with guns so if guns were completely taken way it would not be a huge deal. But to have the US to have no guns allowed would probably be a bigger challenge than it would ever be worth. This goes to show that cultures become accustomed to certain circumstances. While in London I would love to investigate further into this topic because I take a huge interest in guns. I think it will be interesting to see a culture that is the complete opposite.

The Terminology in London vs America

   In every culture, communication is a huge aspect of life. It is how people interact with one another or get around the area. Every culture is different when it comes to language or terminology. As a class we have been meeting for over several of weeks trying to prepare ourselves for our trip to London. One class period that really stuck out to me was learning the terminology for the basic sayings in London terms. The first step in adapting to the culture is to learn the slang that they use.

   The most common phases that should be learned before traveling anywhere is: where is the restroom, where is a restaurant, where is a telephone, and where can I get help? In London terms to try to find the bathroom, I would have ask "where is the loo?" It is more common in London to have restaurants  be referred to as pubs or cafes. To find the location of a telephone, I would simply have to ask "where is the bowler?" The last common phrase has to do with finding help or receiving help. In the United States we reach help by calling 911. However, in London we would have to all 999. Even though all of these phrases are simple, just knowing the correct terminology for the British culture makes a few things in our London trip go smoother. 

     There is a lot of different terminology just between British and the United States communication. The top ten different terminology that I got the kicked out of the most were the following: hole in the wall means ATM, return stands for a round trip, wad stands for money, posh frock stands for best dress, and trainers means sneakers. The next five in the list continues dealing with just food: afters means desserts, nutty means sandwich, fairy cake stands for cupcake, joint means a piece of meat, and scoff stands for food. Even though we are traveling to London and do not have to learn another language, we need to know the different terminology because if we do not, the British are going to have no idea what we are trying to say. Wish me the best of luck remembering all the terminology. Who knows - it might just stick and when I return to the United Sates no one will have the slightest clue what I am saying.