Police could start selling ads on squad cars (Odd Story of the Day)
Police chief could resort to selling advertising on their police cars to counter Government cuts, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Nick Gargan, the chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency is reported as saying that forces were well aware of the possibilities of commercial benefits at a time of budget cuts.
One force, Hertfordshire, has already sent packs inviting them to sponsor 10 cars which will be used for special constables.
However, critics say such move could undermine police authority; particularly if inappropriate products started to appear on police vehicles. But last month, Nick Herbert, the policing minister said there were no ‘ideological barrier’ between the police and the private sector.
Meanwhile Gargan told the Telegraph when asked about advertising, “Yes, we could see that sort of thing. The police service is sometimes painted as a group of people who are completely unaware of the existence of a commercial sector.”
No doubt condom companies (to protect and serve), zoos (come and see a real panda) and investment bankers (daylight robbery) will be queuing up.