Brunstrom Headless Biker Shock

[Rave]

This isn't a new story, but I don't think I've seen it commented on here. Follow the link in my quote if you're not up to speed on it.

Anyway I read in the latest Motor Cycle News that they've now collected 1600 signatures demanding Brunstrom's resignation, and reported on the biker's family meeting with the IPCC (or whoever is investigating the complaints. I dislike Brunstrom as much as the next man, but that really was too much for me. The following is what I posted on the MCN site- or what I would have posted if it wasn't broken. I'm just copying it here to see what others think, and because I'm not sure that they won't delete the post.

Hi all,

I finally got annoyed enough about this story to register so I could comment. Then I read through all five pages of posts just to make sure that nobody had made these points before me.

For a start, it seems that nobody actually has any idea about the causes of the accident- or if they do, they're keeping schtum. I suppose that's understandable- after all it is pretty hard to type "Mark Gibney" into google and then read the first result.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1711901.ece

Just in case even clicking on that link is too much effort, I'll sum up: Gibney was riding a Hayabusa, despite having no licence and no insurance. Riding down a B-road (60mph limit) in North Wales with five friends, he crossed onto the wrong side of the road and went head on into a Vauxhall Astra at 100mph; the force of the impact decapitated him. His body was left embedded in the car; the young family inside it were trapped there for 90 minutes.

To top it all off, he was wearing a T-Shirt inviting the police to 'piss off and catch some real criminals'. I'm sure I don't need to point out that riding without insurance is a criminal offence. Personally I think Brunstrom has shown admirable restraint by only showing the pictures to a closed group of invited journalists. Personally I would have put them on my website, or even taken out an advert in the paper, with my reply: "Thanks for the advice mate".

The fact that Gibney's family have also been given a platform, and have been given a meeting with the IPCC (or whoever is investigating) is also laughable. I do feel sympathy for his family- sympathy that they were ever related to such a Class A rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbish. Brunstrom is entitled to do whatever he likes with photos taken by a member of his police force. Had I happened to be first on the scene as a member of the public, carrying a digital camera, I could quite legally have snapped away and uploaded the photos to rotten.com or whatever. I wouldn't have done of course, but it would have been entirely legal.

So, given the Brunstrom has done nothing wrong, the charge, essentially seems to be that Brunstrom was 'insensitive'. Oh, there's nothing worse in today's day and age than being insensitive. Well, in my opinion, riding a Hayabusa into the front of a car carrying a young family at 100mph is also pretty 'insensitive'.

Your campaign to get him sacked is utterly wrongheaded and deserves to fail. The real shame of it is that in your rush to pour opprobrium on the hated foe, you seem to have entirely missed two very reasonable criticisms of Brunstrom's actions. Firstly, his campaign is against speeding. Had Gibney only been doing 60mph when he went into the front of the car, his head would probably have stayed attached to his body- but he'd still almost certainly have died instantly. His death was caused by bad riding, not speed per se.

Secondly, while everyone 's worrying about the impact on the poor Gibney family, did anyone think to ask whether the people in the Astra were asked for permission before the pictures were used? They were the ones who had to endure the terrifying ordeal of being stuck in a car with a headless corpse embedded in it for 90 minutes. If anyone is in danger of suffering psychologically because of this episode, it's them.

[Colossous]

This isn't a new story, but I don't think I've seen it commented on here. Follow the link in my quote if you're not up to speed on it.

Anyway I read in the latest Motor Cycle News that they've now collected 1600 signatures demanding Brunstrom's resignation, and reported on the biker's family meeting with the IPCC (or whoever is investigating the complaints. I dislike Brunstrom as much as the next man, but that really was too much for me. The following is what I posted on the MCN site- or what I would have posted if it wasn't broken. I'm just copying it here to see what others think, and because I'm not sure that they won't delete the post.

Hi Rave,
I happen to live in the area Branston (as he's dis-affectionately known) is head of Police in. First of all, i have to comment on the bikers. I'm by know means anti biker but (many friends who ride) there is a small percentage who ruin it for others as in most walks of life. Sundays is dodge the bikers on blind bends etc if you're driving in this part of North Wales, theres loads of club riders and groups who seem to drive safely but you get the odd few (usually kitted out to resemble the power rangers!) who are maniacs which any normal Police chief would want to do something about which brings me to point two.
This guy seems obsessed with speeding drivers, it was National News that crime detection figures had slumped to an all time low at the expense of Police sitting in wait of drivers in 30mph zones (none in the actual accident spots by the way !) and that was what got peoples backs up. Theres been umpteen calls for his recognition but he still seems to hang on ! My heart goes out to the family involved in this accident, i was involved in an accident with a fatality and it takes some getting over.

[iranu]

The quicker we change the way in which police officers get to the top of their respective forces in the UK the better. If this prat had to be elected to his post then there is not a cats chance in hell that he would get away with this kind of thing.

I'm well aware of this chap and he's a first class moron with a personal agenda and has no interest in the public and their concerns.

[dave87]

Indeed. I agree with Rave's sentiments on this specific case, but Brunstrom's persecution almost or bikers, including one comment that bikes should be banned from national parks, because they disrupted his weekend, is rediculous.

You will always get the few that ruin it for the majority, but the majority of bikers are the exact opposite of Bruntrom's impression, and what's worse, is that he probably knows it too.

[badass]

I agree with everything Rave says there. If people want rid of Brunstrom, dont use this. Use his actual failings.
Using this just makes the bikers look like a loony minority.

[jamin]

Amen Rave, you summed that up very nicely as usual.

Did any of the anti-brunstrom campaigners stop for just a second to think of not just the young family involved, but the emergency services personel who had to clear up the mess. I know that people will argue that they are hardened to it and its all part of their jobs, but believe me I know a fireman who has nightmares and wakes up thinking of the terrible things he has seen in the course of his job. And its not an uncommon occurence accross the emergency services.

Although I feel for Gibney's family, I would imagine they are better off without someone of such a questionable mental state and morals. Brunstrom has the right idea, it really has come to the point where shock tactics may be the only thing that might get these muppets to think of the consequences of their frankly irresponsible actions.

I am a weekend biker myself, I own a YZF R1. A very fast bike. Would I consider riding or driving any vehicle on the road without a licence or in any way not road legal? NO. Why? Because a car/bike/truck etc is a deadly weapon. Everyone using the road, no matter how good a driver they think they are, has the potential to kill. I pay insurance not just to protect my interests but also to ensure that if I did have an accident the person(s) involved would be saved (as much as possible) from the financial/emotional/medical losses and as much of the stress that I caused. I am responsible in my actions and attitude towards road use. What are these uninsured/untaxed/unlicensed/drunk/drugged animals thinking when they get on the road? That it won't happen to them. Well heres news for them, it can and I hope they rot in hell!

IMHO, Illegal road users may just as well take pot shots at a crowd with an illegal firearm. Its the same risk, and just as irresponsible. They are the same kind of people that carry knives around with them "for protection" and then end up killing some random passerby in a white lightning fueled attempt to impress their mates. I could go on but for now its rant over.

[YorkieBen]

The quicker we change the way in which police officers get to the top of their respective forces in the UK the better. If this prat had to be elected to his post then there is not a cats chance in hell that he would get away with this kind of thing.

you'd rather the head of police gets elected? So we can politicians full of spin and crap instead of a policeman who has done the job?

Electing heads of police forces is a stupid idea imo

And regarding this case; I dont think he has done anything wrong in this case at all

[iranu]

you'd rather the head of police gets elected? So we can politicians full of spin and crap instead of a policeman who has done the job?

Electing heads of police forces is a stupid idea imo

And regarding this case; I dont think he has done anything wrong in this case at all

Nope it's not a silly idea. It means they would have to deliver results locally and no it wouldn't be a politician who could be elected only policemen/women of a certain rank.

If you knew what I know about some of the people who hold current high positions within the police force you would understand why I suggest this. The main reason is that officers are not promoted on merit or ability because there is no independant assessment centre.

My dad pioneered this at Hendon only for it to be changed because the boys at the top could not put their yes men where they wanted them - it was a massive threat to them but would have produced a much better force. He trained alot of the officers you now see at the top and roughly 75% shouldn't be there in his opinion.

e.g They where split into groups and a task of making a hot air balloon out of tin foil, balloon, string, flammable fuel etc. Basically a teamworking excercise.

One officer who is now a high ranking officer achieved the wonderful result of setting himself on fire and nothing else. He didn't pass the assessment course but has been promoted according to the Peter Principle.

As regards this particular incident I agree with Rave however Brunstrom is notorious and a rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbish to boot.

Talking about road safety and current affairs I hope they show old Diana splattered up against the windscreen of that merc as a reminder that not wearing a seatbelt is stupid or does that go against taste and decency and the wishes of the family? What's the difference between her and the biker who's head was used? Discuss.

[Agent]

This only the tip of something much bigger though.

I agree with most of your comments Rave - The guy was riding dangerously. More so given the roads in question and riding on the incorrect side.
I do think that bikers should see past the "he's a fellow biker, so we must stick up for him" mentality. Anyone can jump on 2 wheels and be a idiot. No licence, no insurance - hardly a biker in my eyes. A lot of the bikers I know not only have the basic licence, but also have more advanced training such as Bikesafe.

However, I dont agree with publishing the photos. No matter how much of a prat the rider was, its still a limit I wouldn't pass.

Brunstrom is hell bent on catching people speeding that he often forgets a little courtesy. No matter how much of an idiot the rider was being, that's still someone's son, perhaps a husband and dad?
Its somthing that wont ever leave them throughout their lives and something like this certainly isn't going to help them.

Its quite easy to disconnect yourself from the emotion that comes attached when you dont know the person involved. Looking in from the outside in doesn't make the same emotions kick in. The accident can be broken down and looked at 'logically' but emotions aren't logical.

Most of you know that I lost one of my best mates in a biking accident last month, and its a hell ride of feelings after it happens. If someone had posted pictures of him after it, I would have been furious too, regardless of if he was in the right or the wrong.

Although I feel this entire issue with Brunstrom goes deeper. Here are a few quotes that he's provided over the years....

Brunstrom demonstrated the fanatical side of his nature when he went to the ridiculous extreme of calling a press conference to launch a vicious attack on retired bank manager William Shaw for doing 39 in a 30 zone in Acrefair. During this press conference Brunstrom compared this minor speed limit transgression to "teenage yobbishness". He went on to claim that speed enforcement was justified because a fatal accident had occurred nearby; but later admitted to the press that the car involved in the fatal accident was not exceeding the speed limit. He then had the audacity to claim he's not fixated by speeding!!!
Brunstrom did not even have the common courtesy to advise Mr Shaw that he was holding the press conference. Mr Shaw did not find out until he began receiving phone calls from the press and later described his reaction to Brunstrom's "ranting" as "incredulous"

Brunstrom appeared on the BBC TV programme "Wales Today". He said there was:
"A quite unpleasant thread running through some of the national media and some of the interest groups pursuing an obsessional and irrational scheme to discredit the government's National Safety Camera project. — They're not going to succeed."
He refused to apologise for his hard line on speeding, spouting the infamous line:
"It is against the law and there is no excuse for drifting over the limit any more than there is for drifting a knife into someone."

Brunstrom's Thought Police are continuing their headlong crash-dive to destroy police-public relations in North Wales. Felicity Elphick, a 56-year-old businesswoman and prospective Tory candidate, is the latest driver to be maligned by North Wales police.
After speaking at a public meeting she received a threatening letter from Acting Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl in which the police maliciously mis-quote her in an attempt to discredit her. Fortunately, the organisers of the meeting had the good sense to video the event, proving the police are lying. The full and pathetic saga is told by the Daily Post:

Brunstrom is insisting that all the members of the North Wales Police Authority submit to finger printing and DNA testing after someone leaked a police memo to the press. The North Wales Police Authority, which includes magistrates and councillors, are the people who appointed him as Chief Constable. Some of them are doubtless starting to question that decision now.

Brunstrom and his deputy Clife Wolfenden performed an Eminem-style rap at the launch of North Wales Police's Black Police Association. This was later criticized as 'patronizing' by the Commission for Racial Equality

Brunstrom infuriated his neighbours by parking his estate car and trailer on the pavement outside his house for two hours whilst he pruned some trees. One irate resident said:
"I'm glad he cut that tree down as it was overhanging the pavement, but parking his large estate car on the footpath, right up to the wall, just isn't on, I often push my grandson in his pram along there, and I would have to go onto the road, as would somebody in a wheel chair, maybe Mr Brunstrom should think more about pedestrian safety rather than chasing motorists all the time."
After photographs appeared in the local paper, the police reportedly swooped on nearby roads slapping tickets on other vehicles parked on the pavement. How childish can the man get?

"I regard him as dangerously out of touch with reality."
John Stalker
former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police

IMO, the guys a fruitcake.
His opinions (although some of them seem to be changing lately) are not the kind of balanced ones that you expect to hear from a police officer.

Quotes from http://www.abd.org.uk/brunstrom.htm
Although that site might be a bit one sided, the quotes are direct from the horses mouth.

[Agent]

Just thought a few of you might like to see the update on this:
BBC NEWS | Wales | Brunstrom criticised over photos

[Dorza]

The man's a pillock, he needs to go. I'm fed up of hearing about his "ideas" on the welsh news and the latest controversial thing he has done or said. He makes the welsh police force look like a laughing stock. He even wants to legalize heroin need I say more?

[Rave]

Seems the IPCC picked up on one of my original criticisms, that being the effect on the other family involved in the accident. The rest of it is a load of mealy-mouthed crap though.

He even wants to legalize heroin need I say more?

Erm....yes? Legalizing heroin is the one thing he's absolutely right about.

[Agent]

BBC NEWS | Wales | MP's call for Brunstrom to resign

More!

[Agent]

The shocking picture that shows police will do ANYTHING to hide speed cameras from unsuspecting motorists | the Daily Mail

At it again (sorry for the DM link)