The Bill Series 9 Episode 52 (S09E52) Recruiting Officer

Sgt. Maitland enlists PC McCann's help in reassuring a young black applicant whose wife has serious misgivings about the job, but PC McCann is discovering racism within the force for himself.

[@rulebritannia1553]

Thanks 🙏 Wanted to join the Met back in the 80’s but took another path. Shout out from Oz.

[@flashstudiosguy]

Love the use of Collar Numbers as order numbers in the canteen, saves on confusion over who's bangers and mash is which

[@London_J]

Yeah, it was a real MET policy back when police canteens were more popular and cost less for the PC's and DC's

[@mortgagewizard40]

Screen test for ray Ashcroft,he must have impressed the producers

[@joflynn999]

Still relevant 30 years later

[@joflynn999]

I reckon Leach is probably resentful of the fact he's about 40 and still a PC after 20 years and sees Gary as someone he wishes he was (in 20s with a degree)

[@TheReneOlivierre]

1:07 Ray Ashcroft would later come back as a regular cast member playing DS Geoff Daly.

[@darylcumming7119]

Eventually gets shafted by the Don Beech character.

[@peterhogben3304]

DS Daly is Rob the Gob

[@joflynn999]

If Declan did join the police he'd be on the verge of retirement now. Be an interesting thing to see

[@digger8754]

Brilliant episode. Remembered a lot of it from the first time round. Racism is such a blight (understatement of the century and beyond I know). Thanks Jana Suzanne.

[@hitchensrazor5450]

The reality is that there McCann suffered frm racism from both sides; firstly from some of his colleagues and secondly, from those who were treating him as an "Uncle Tom", a bounty" and every other name.

[@joflynn999]

Feels ahead of its time

[@charlesedwards4160]

It's still a big problem today. As someone who worked in the police up until a short while ago I think it is still a racist institution.

[@jennapherhague5728]

@@charlesedwards4160 Black lives matter

[@terrymartin8160]

Very much obliged to you Jana❤ really good, truthful episode. May 8th /2023 Moanday evening 6:50 pm in warm 🌞 Philadelphia PA USA 77°F the best of B🇬🇧itJ🇯🇲M

[@mistofoles]

I thought Leach was a DI ? - Or was the actor playing a different character ?

[@mistofoles]

This theme has gone on for a long time in "THE BILL" - Remember the tension between Sun Hill's first black Officer Abe Lyton and PC Pete Muswell in series 2 ?

[@joflynn999]

This theme has gone on for a long time in the Met-- sadly

[@joflynn999]

Would have been a good sequal episode where Leach is attacked by a gang of white youths and Gary ends up saving his life and Leach realises how stupid prejudice is

[@lorraineydays57]

Mr Coombs aka DCI Peter Arthurs in Eastenders also London's Burning.

[@Wasp-ce7yr]

Must have made an impression on Maitland if he was a DCI 30 years later 😆

[@Wasp-ce7yr]

Never liked Daly so it was easy to hate Ray Ashcroft’s character in this. That said he played the role of the bigoted copper well, felt so bad for Gary to be subjected to disgusting abuse and then convince someone of colour that prejudice wouldn’t trouble him.

[@Condor512]

👍

[@joflynn999]

What would this episode been like with Steve Loxton in it?

[@MartinaBrundle]

geoff daly undercover as a pc?

[@ballysboots6937]

Stamp is right what use is someone 5ft in a scrap.

[@michaelkinch9702]

Mike Kinch Call stamp

[@whenwasthat]

Damn right. There is documented evidence that in an emergency situation where force is required men absolutely dominate women. It's insane to think otherwise and people's lives are being put as risk. Fucking crusaders! I'd love to see a modern version of the bill that isn't afraid to tackle such issues truthfully rather than politically.

[@sabinessmith3046]

I’ve realised that almost every episode of the Bill I’d recycled ♻️

[@fpsmaverick_9335]

Thought Geoff Daley didn’t join til 96?

[@dan999uk]

This episode features PC Leach, who just happens to be played by the same actor as DS Daley.

[@Youngwez11]

DS Geoff Daly

[@NewhamMatt]

It's weird watching Ray Ashcroft play someone who's the antithesis of Daly.

[@tonymc55]

Good on George for calling out Stamp. Quinnan was there too. They both were p!SS weak in the canteen against the racist.

[@lorraineydays57]

Incredible isn't it, that it a boils down to skin tone.😔

[@andrewjones-productions]

It saddens me deeply that people still cannot judge others by their character and achievements and not some other triviality. Sgt. Maitland is a good man and the complete opposite of 'Rob The Gob'. Whilst I am no Tory supporter in any way or form, it is good to see that in 2022 we have 8 candidates for the Conservative Party leadership and that they are neither all white or all men. Even though none of them seem particularly appealing to be our next Prime Minister.

[@chloemarsh612]

When the character of Ray Ashcroft comes back as DS Daly in 1996 hes nothing like the racist biggot in this character he plays

[@charlesedwards4160]

And then all of a sudden he turned into the mild mannered DS Daly, lol but still a Yorkshire, through and through, yuck !!