Intrusive Questioning

Via the Devil’s Kitchen, this:

A Neighbourhood Watch Association faces being evicted from the police station where it operates unless its members reveal their sexuality and how much money they owe.

The Canterbury and District Neighbourhood Watch chairman Graham Jackson says his 10-strong team, which operates from Herne Bay police station, have been told they will be barred from the police station on January 20 unless they sign six “highly personal” forms.

You what? I know we get these irritating ethnicity forms to fill in for employment, but as they are voluntary, I ignore them. I have had to fill one in recently as it was  a part of a form that was not voluntary, so I put “English” and too bad if they don’t like it. My ethnicity is no one’s business but mine. If people want to employ me, then it is, presumably, on the basis of competence and my racial makeup is irrelevant – or it damn well should be.

Mr Jackson said: “Why should volunteers be asked about their sexual orientation or ethnicity or tell police how much money they owe?”

The simple answer is that they shouldn’t.

Mr Jackson has refused along with five other volunteers.

Quite right, too. So would I. I might not be very polite about it, either…

A police spokesman said the vetting procedure was due to a new computer system set to launch next month which would give volunteers “controlled access” that could be used “for personal financial gain”.
 
“We value tremendously their support but the Kent force is not prepared to compromise the security of our systems.”

Oh, of course… “Computer says no.” If in doubt, blame the computer. That it’s complete bollocks and the type of question is intrusive and has fuck all to do with security – this is a neighbourhood watch, for frig’s sake – is entirely besides the point. Bureaucracy must be adhered to even if it is nonsensical. Sure, police officers have to undergo such checks in case of financial vulnerability and consequential inducements, but the Neighbourhood watch? Get real, please. If the computer is a problem, don’t give them access to the computer – it isn’t that difficult a concept.

The correct and appropriate answer to such questions is: “fuck off and mind your own business”.