The reason why the British police didn’t arrest the man when he said he was on drugs is because the British police are more interested in catching the people who SELL the drugs, not the people who take them.

As a Brit who watches a lot of American police body cam stuff, I feel confident in saying that British police are way more compassionate.

Im from UK,  and it was the police who helped me get off drugs and rebuild my life ,they brought me power tools and put a roof over my head

I think the best description I heard regarding the difference between UK and US police is their function:
American police enforce the law.
British police keep the peace.

Our police are taught to deescalate situations hence the no guns. As a Brit I don't want police officers with guns unless they are a special trained unit in a volatile situation.

I'm in the northeast of England.

Last year, the police saved me and my dog on our way home from a family party. He's trained to run beside me while I cycle, so I had both him and my bike to manage. On this night, it had suddenly and unexpectedly started thundering and raining heavily, and my dog panicked and bolted as he's terrified of thunder. In the process, he snapped his harness. He'd run into the road, and I was desperately trying to tie my scarf and his lead around him to keep him safe. I'd thrown my bike on the ground to go retrieve him, and I was in floods of tears, thinking one or both of us would be hit by a car. Thankfully, it was late at night, and there was no passing traffic.

There was no one I could call as it was late, and my family were all sleeping.

A police car stopped, and the officers asked what I was doing. I'm not sure they believed me when I explained, but they gave me the benefit of the doubt, took my address, and offered to take us home. It was maybe 10 minutes by car, 20 by bike. My bike wouldn't fit in the car, so I cycled home on an agreed safe route, and they took little man. Sure enough, as I pulled up, there they were. Little man happily looking for me out of the back window and an officer petting him. Before they let my dog out, the officers had a little chat with me about him, his breed, age, if he was chipped, tricks he knew, I think to calm me down. They then asked which house was mine and if he knew where he lived. The second they let him out, I told him to go home, and he took off to wait at the front gate, just as I'd taught him.

The officers checked I was okay, as I was shaken up and still crying, and before they left, they shook my hand and made sure doggo and I got in safely.

I could cry just thinking about it. The police quite possibly saved my dog's life that night.

I am British. The fact that you guys constantly mention guns is crazy. When I watch our police the idea of guns never comes into my mind. I don’t worry about the police needing a gun because the public don’t have guns.

They are candid and open with the police because they aren't afraid of them.

The moment you carry a weapon you automatically escalate the situation. Whatever the weapon.

I’m a black British female, a police officer saved my life. When I was diagnosed with MS I took about 12 sleeping tablets and laid near the stream. I was so close to dying before a police relentlessly and eventually found me. I’m in better mental health now and not taking life for granted even if I still have MS. ❤❤

I’m a retired police officer. I did 25 years. Unfortunately I had to retire 5 years early due to ill health. In all my service all I had was my radio and a women’s truncheon which was a 12” wooden baton ( the men’s truncheons were bigger - no innuendo intended). I only drew my truncheon once in that time.

We are taught to interact with the public

In the States you have a Police Force.  In the UK we have a Police Service.

We don’t have the armoury so we have to use our brains to defuse situations.

I never talked down to people but I would always converse with them on their level that’s how I was taught.  

I loved my career and would do it again in a heartbeat.  

I lived in a seaside town at the time and it was always full of tourists in the summer.  I remember one Sunday I was on my own walking down the Main Street in the town when this gang of yobbish tourists were trying to hit a window with a large plank.  At the time I was outside one of the pubs in the street which was also full. All of a sudden these youths started heading towards me shouting and waving the plank.  They were really nasty.  Before I could get on my radio about 5 of the local criminal fraternity came running out of the pub.  I won’t lie I was pooping myself.  The next thing I know the local crims all stood in front of me and shouted.  “She may be a copper but she’s our copper.  Touch her and we’ll deal with you far worse than she will”.     (There language was a bit more colourful than that)

That’s what happens when you treat people with respect even if they are usually bad ‘uns.

I am Polish living in the UK for almost 20 years and got a few random encounters with English police.
First - my friends and I were drinking beer in the park, just chilling and talking, when two Police officers approached us and politely asked us to stop drinking as it is not allowed in that park. I just said we will finish drinking and will not drink anymore. They said thank you and went their way.

Second - There was a troubled friend of mine (suicide attempt) Police were called and as we were living in a very safe neighborhood we did not lock the doors, they just came and helped her. I enter the house not knowing what's happening and that the police are on the premises. They were friendly and asked many questions, one of them about why we don't lock the doors. My answer make them very happy ( that was 10 years ago in St Albans, one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, I recommend visiting.)

The third one - was an encounter with Police on horses in London. Very polite with a great sense of humor.

It was really interesting to watch your attitude change from 'They have no gun at night? When the worst people come out?!' To: 'Oh, these people need help!' Really interesting that just seeing the police talk to them, humanised them to you ❤ That's how it should be in the US too!

I once got in a minor car accident (in the UK). Fortunately everyone was ok. The police were passing and stopped to check on everyone. They called an ambulance to check on me because I hadn't eaten much that day and it was nearly mid afternoon, and also I was very shaken up. Then they gave me a lift home - wouldn't hear of me taking a bus. Absolutely wonderful guys.

As an American living in England for 30 years, i wish to explain to my fellow Americans  that socialism is not a communist plot. It's  about taking care and helping each other.

I had a panic attack on the bus 2 weeks ago and had to get off at the next stop , i was now stuck not wanting to get on the bus again and feeling rough , i saw two Policeman across the road and asked them for a lift home and they did . I was grateful.

"Sleeping Rough" is used to describe those who are homeless, sleeping on the streets/abandoned buildings/benches in parks etc.

I once had the most British thing happen with an encounter with two police officers. I was at home one day when two officers knocked on my door. They wanted a cup of tea and the community centre they used for their tea break was closed. I am a key holder, so they came round my house to see if I could open up. Given the urgency of the situation, I naturally complied.

If you’re ok and polite with police they are generally ok with you.

Serving UK street police officer here (30 years in London). De-escalation by communication is a key skill for us, although sadly some officers lack this basic requirement. As stated, not all of us carry taser, it’s a choice if you want to, (I don’t, just another bit of kit to carry and keep track of) although I believe that’s changing if you join from now on it’ll be a requirement. In answer to the question how do you defend yourself if attacked- you fight.  In my time I’ve faced knives (been stabbed in the neck during an arrest), had guns pointed at me (twice) and been attacked with various forms of bats, sticks and other makeshift weapons , but dealt with them only using my extendable asp. I also carry an incapacitating spray called (pava- before that CS spray) but never once needed to use it. I rely on talking and my defence skills, and if that fails then my asp and fists, which is getting more difficult now I’m 58 😂 I’ve just under two  more years and I retire. 😊