SC 2012 - Greater Manchester Police

I recently attended Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) SC2012 Conference at the Hilton Hotel Manchester Airport. This was the first official policing conference I have ever attended as a Special Constable and I have to say it ticked all the right boxes with me.

From the moment I arrived in Manchester with Devon and Cornwall’s Special Constabulary’s Chief Officer Buster Brown, Deputy Chief Officer Richard Clatworthy and Assistant Chief Officer Marc Kastner it was very apparent that the Force Coordinator from GMP had spent a lot of time and effort putting together the conference, check-in at the hotel was fast and then swiftly moved along to delegate registration.

Having received a wide array of information and booklets we were informed of the agenda for the Friday night and offered light refreshments and time to get ourselves settled before the opening speeches began. At 1900 sharp everyone was ushered into the main conference suite where various members of the conference team gave a warm and welcoming address.

The Saturday was an inspiring day, meeting with many Chief officers, and ranking staff members from across all 43 Forces in the UK who’s main objective was the sharing of information and the acquisition of knowledge. Tina Shelton from GMP had arranged some truly amazing guest speakers, showcases and demonstrations. Two MAJOR highlights for me was a working lunch with Duty sheet with a live demo of the new Working Time Regulations (WTR) package on the system and the second was meeting Mr. Peter Woolf who gave an amazing live account of his life to date and how Restorative Justice (RJ) played a major part in saving his life. If you don’t know about Peter Woolf stick his name in YouTube and watch his video’s. 20’000 Crimes and 18 ½ years behind bar this is a shining example of why we should use RJ to prevent reoffending and increase victim led justice! (I know Buster got A LOT out of the RJ talk too, and will be contacting our force champion for more info)

The Saturday night Gala Dinner was great, a chance to have a glass of wine and dance the night away! The after Dinner Speaker Mr. Gordon Burns (From the Krypton Factor) was very funny, captivating and genuine and we also raised over £5000 for cancer charities in the UK TOO!

The whole weekend was an amazing opportunity to network; I have made some wonderful connections to help shape our special constabulary and cadet force into something to be proud of!

So what’s next?

Stay tuned :o)

(I've added the Peter Woolf Film Below, Its well worth a watch!)

Dont look dear, its nothing to do with us

My wife had a few friends over this weekend. One of them works in child protection (not with the police) and spoke about an incident in a town centre seeing a young, apparently abandoned child. As soon as she saw the child she knew that she had to and would do something to help. At the same time however she noticed the dozens of people walking past and ignoring the situation. She did the right thing and acted. What would you have done? She put her actions down to conditioning through her job, I disagree. I believe it's the other way around. Some people are hard wired to help others and that's what leads to them acting in these situations and to careers in very stressful fields.

I count myself in that group. I am the ultimate policing cliche and after 15 years I still go to work to help people and try to make a difference. Probably why I feel more at home in community policing. I help people on and off duty, because I want to.

I also volunteer with a few community organisations and thoroughly enjoy the time I put in and what is achieved.

This blog post isn't meant to be a 'look what I do' story but I wanted to demonstrate that I know what I am talking about (this time!) and I am pleased to say I am not the only one. Every week I seem to meet another keen committed volunteer whether they are helping out at an OAPs lunch, volunteering with the local Street Pastors or even our own committed group of young people tidying up Falmouth bit by bit, The Waterfront Crew. It's doesn't even have to be as part of an organised group. One committed individual in Falmouth has been persuading his neighbours to take a few minutes and pick up any litter outside their own home. Their answer hasn't been 'why should I? It's not my job!' but a resounding yes followed by a cleaner neighbourhood and nicer place to live.

We even have volunteers within the police service now. This has been ongoing for well over 5 years now and is working fantastically well. (Not including Special Constables who have been volunteering for decades.) It has been a huge culture shock for some coppers and I have heard comments from councillors that policing is just for the police but I ask 'is it?'

We need to, and I think we slowly are, get back to a time when community is at the heart of everything. People are now taking more responsibility in what goes on around them. With the police volunteer program we now have drivers helping us get around, people checking speeds of motorists in their community and more. All because they care and are not willing to leave it to someone else.

Soon we will have our first Citizen Patrols in Falmouth through the Street Watch scheme. (www.street-watch.org.uk) They will not be taking the place of the police but working with us for the good of their community to improve the quality of life for them and their neighbours. Because they care.

Just think how much better life would be if everyone did just a little bit. Whether that's picking up a piece of litter, stopping to help someone in need or even getting involved with a organisation like Street Watch. The answer is obvious really.

So why do some people still walk past??

Make sure it isn't you next time. You could even go the whole nine yards and get in touch with your local volunteer centre, police or Street Watch group. Go on, dare you!!!

Sorry Sir, I dont have an opinion!

My first blog post for a while and it will be a quick one.

To effectively police with impartiality we shouldn't demonstrate any views be they political, religious, or perhaps even our favourite sports team.

Surely a police officer with opinions is more human and likely to achieve more? There are rules that prevent us from 'laying ourselves open' when it comes to politics.

The first problem is twitter. Retweeting (for non users that is the process of resending a message you want your followers to see) and following are far to easy. Quite frequently I can read something that I empathise with and before I know it it's retweeted. Too late then. I'm sure that despite my attempts at impartiality if you analyse my twitter feed you could work out a lot about me. (That isn't a challenge!!)
A lot of people put a great deal of effort into being 'anonymous' on twitter. I've had a look at a few of their feeds and you'd be surprised what you can learn.

So the question is, and I don't know the answer, am I breaking the rules?

As for politics has policing ever been removed from it? Think about all the demonstrations and protests that have been policed from the miners strikes to the cuts marches. Its always been linked to the politics of the day.

As a police officer you have to forget the how it started and remind yourself that you are there to protect the public and their freedoms. Most of the time our day to day job is so far removed from national politics that it's easy to carry on regardless.

But how will Police and Crime Commissioners affect this? At tge moment at least all forces are heading in the same direction with one political major political influence. What will happen to regional collaboration if you have a Tory force next to a Labour force? Could they start working together and it become a way of breaking down barriers or will it be a disaster? What if the Labour PCC doesn't share the view of the Tory government? Will you end up with a a splinter force?

Anyway, again I have no answers. Perhaps you do?

Day in the life

After trying to tweet live from the streets last night during a full moon, on club night and the day the students get there student loans was hard to say the least! Then it hit me, why don't I put on here what my shift entailed and give you a bit of an insight as to what happened on last nights duty and the general feel as to what happens on a busy shift, so here goes!

1900hrs: Booked on Duty via the computer system, allocated myself a callsign (last night i was CM641) and looked at my emails, after replying to the important messages I checked the briefing screens and open logs for the area.

19:15hrs: Speak with local officers and let them know that I'm in the station and on duty and let them know my call sign, turned my radio on and affiliated to let the control room know I was available and where I was(via the GPS system built into the radio).

19:30hrs: contact the duty sgt based in a nearby station ask if there is anything he requires doing and get directions to drive over the nearby town and have a look around.

19:40hrs: Book the police transit van out and picked up my crew mate for the night (SC "RJ") let the local response sgt know we have the transit van and any detainees need transporting to custody we are free.

20:00hrs: On route to near by town and we come across a broken down lorry on an unlit road, we stopped and spoke with driver who informed us that recovery was on the way, we placed some signs out on the road to warn oncoming traffic.

20:15hrs: drive a bit further into the nearby town and come across a broke down bus, my crew mate makes a remake about us being the AA tonight!! SC "RJ" getst and has a chat with the bus driver who informs us that his recovery is justaroundthe corner.

20:30hrs we patrol around the nearby town and get flagged down by a passing member of the public who informs us that two people have approached them and asked for "fags and money" we get some details and have a spin around the town.

20:35hrs: we park the van around the side of the bus station and approach the two people suspected of begging and have a chat. I call the local sgt to come and assist as on the results of a PNC check one of the males has a matter outstanding that needs to be dealt with.

After dealing with the outstanding matter we all depart, the two people get on there way and myself and SC"RJ" make our way back to Falmouth.

21:15hrs: we arrive back at Falmouth police station to speak with @sgtgarywatts and see what jobs he has for us to do. We have a quick cup of tea and attend night turns briefing to see what jobs need allocating from the response sgt.

21:30hrs: call comes in of a person threatening suside, we call up on the radio and offer to back up local units with the van, on arrival we are greeted with a known person with a few personal problems. Unfortunately at that time the person was detained under section 136 of the mental health act so we could take them to a place of safety to receive the best help possible!

22:00hrs: we hand over van the to the response team who give us their car do they ca transport the detained person to safety we make our was for a patrol of the town.

22:200hrs: we take all the detained persons belongings and luggage back to the police station (there was ALOT OF IT) and place it all on the register for property and place it all in a secure storeroom.

23:40hrs: quick patrol of Falmouth docks and leaise with Docks Police as to how man are on site, ships in and how many have gone into the tow drinking, we are told that there are a couple of large boats one with 600 people onboard.

23:50hrs: we go for a patrol around the town where we come across two local homeless folk who are very drunk and are causing a few problems, on talking to the couple they were given section 27's Directions to leave. They were banned from entering the town centre for the next 24 hours.

00:20hrs: drive around and across to the point and then back though the town to talk with local door staff as to number of people in clubs and what the vibes like in the town. All seemed good at this point.

01:00hrs: going for a spin down to swanpool beach and look at the car parks and we come across a car parked up with 3 males hiding inside. We park our the car and block it in and get out to have a chat with the males. On approaching the vehicle we get a VERY strong smell of cannabis. Sc"RJ" take the lead and tells them of the situation and what's going to happen, we offer them the chance to hand over anything they have and low and behold from down one males pants appears a small bag of green leafy dried cannabis smelling stuff! SC"RJ" take the male to the back of the car and to issue a Canabis warning and I search the other two males and take down some details in my pocket notebook.

01:40hrs: we let the males on there way and take the drugs back to the police station to be logged on the system and do the relivant paperwork.

01:55hrs: we get a call from the @SgtGaryWatts to see if we are now free to come down to the town where some clubs are kicking out and do some hi viz foot patrol.

02:10hrs: We start some foot patrol in the town and talk to some people, all very good natured but there are ALOT OF PEOPLE out and about!!!

02:45hrs: we head back to the car for a couple of laps of the area before heading back for a cup of tea and booking off duty.

02:50hrs: The control room shouts up for a unit to attend an area of Falmouth where a young lady thinks she was followed. We are in that area so we call up on air to take the job.

We perform a area search and there is no trace of the said person. We inform control room of our results and update them as to the situation.

03:00hrs: we head back into the police station to debrief with @SgtGaryWatts and then book off duty and go home!

I hope this has given you a small insight as to why I didn't tweet last night!

Have fun and stay safe!!!

The Policemans Lot

Do you remember your childhood well ?
Remember those close family friends who became Uncle this and Auntie that?

Well I was no different, growing up in a small hamlet and having a father for a police officer I had a couple of police officers who adopted the title of Uncle and their partners the name Auntie. Growing up however and having moved some distance away and the only contact we ever had was the odd Christmas Card and occasional Birthday Greeting.

When you recived the Christmas cards you look and see the names and smile and think to yourself "I wonder what they are doing now" and "Maybe i should give them a call" Well it was that very action that led to my current post.

Late December 2011 I recived some very sad new that an "Uncle" a former dog handler from Thames Valley Police had passed away suddenly, this was of course a massive shock. After exchanging phone calls and e-mails with "Auntie" i recived this very fitting email of a poem that was read at this funeral, which obviously applies just as much to women police officers as it does male officers!

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders
and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much.
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne
Where saints had often trod,
As the policeman waited quietly,
for the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
you've done your time in Hell."

'Tis the season to be jolly!!

I hope this post doesn't come across as too 'bah humbug' but a few things have happened lately that pushed me to write this.

The example we set!

I have had the pleasure of working nights on the lead up to and including Xmas eve in 2011. During these shifts I have seen lots of people drinking in moderation but far too many people drunk out of control. There have been fights and accidents that have pushed us and the ambulance service too the limits of our resourcing. Normal everyday people like you and I have woken up in a&e or even in the cells with a number spending Xmas morning in custody!
Why? I suppose if I knew that I would make a small fortune. British culture?! We are told it doesn't happen elsewhere so why in our nation do people have to drink as much as possible to have a good time? I'm sure the guy with the 4" gash to his eye had a great time!

Not a great example!!

The worrying thing I see more and more is teenagers, many not yet 18 following this pattern. It seems that the mark of a grown up is to get off your face. A few weeks ago an 18 year old I know got so drunk he had to be restrained in hospital after falling over. In the early hours of Xmas eve, a teenager out celebrating their 18th birthday punched me in the face and found themselves sobering up in the cells. They were so drunk they can't even remember it!! The impending court appearance should bring it all back.
Neither of these individuals and the many others we see all the time have had a great time and none of us as parents would want to see our kids go down this road.

So what can we do??!!

It's difficult I suppose if society itself has set a bench mark of getting 'off your trolley' is good but change has to start somewhere. Read and get your teenagers to read this - alcohol info
Say no! Don't be afraid to be the kill joy. Make sure that our youngsters enjoy new years eve and beyond safely. I'm sure you'd rather be the horrible parent that said no than the parent picking up your kids from a & e or the cells, or worse!!

Set an example!! Start the change yourself. Know and show your limits. Even if your kids aren't there to see you out drunk others are and you could be perpetuating this image of British society.

Happy New Year

Stay Safe

Gary

The truth about police and doughnuts

It may surprise you to learn the following is not representative of UK police officers:



First of all, we don’t generally carry guns.

Second, we don’t really go for the ring doughnut, preferring the good old fashioned ‘jammy’. Obviously, there are a few my-body-is-a-temple officers in every nick, but on the whole (sorry), we do like our doughnuts.

We’re so fond of them, they’re the punishment of choice for many skippers. Late for parade? Bag of doughnuts in time for tea break*, lad. Forgot to shave? Doughnuts. Missing kit? You get the idea.

[* ‘tea break’ is a nostalgic term that now refers to the first opportunity a section get to regroup and, er, breathe]

A regular crime is the ‘big air’ blooper. Police radios can be used in several modes, but the two main ones are a ‘point to point’ conversation with one other person, and the default, which is talking to the whole sector, referred to as 'big air'. The latter is for everyone to hear where the control room is dispatching everyone, whether more units are needed, etc. The ‘point to point’ is for... well, it’s probably not for sorting out what you’re having from the Chinese takeaway or gossiping about your colleagues. But suppose you were doing one of those things (tut tut), and one of you accidentally drops the ‘point to point’ landing you back in the default ‘big air’ mode? Congratulations, you have now informed the sector you’re having chicken chow mein for dinner. Major doughnuts.

In fact, probably too severe to get away with plain doughnuts. There are several ‘offences’ like this. I’m not talking about the stuff that interests the likes of Professional Standards or the IPCC. I’m talking about driving off from a traffic stop with your traffic wallet still on the roof of your car. Or trying to arrest the brother of someone you were after because they, ahem, looked similar, and er, it was dark sarge. Leaving patrol cars unlocked with all sorts of ‘hilarious’ consequences: stolen kit; escaping suspect; handbrake let off; etc. etc. Or taking the keys to your patrol car home with you at the end of your shift. That sort of thing...

Once you've overcome your embarrassment at a mistake at this level, and endured the dressing down of your skipper, you’ll generally be heading over to the patisserie for recompense. Something with fresh cream, preferably; éclairs or dairy slices will often speed up rehabilitation. Memories are long in the police, though, so you can expect to be reminded about your daftness any time it’s ‘q’.

Some bloopers reach another level entirely, and become almost legendary. If I can change the names to sufficiently protect the not so innocent, I may bring you some of these in future.

In the meantime, if you hear a police officer explaining why he or she doesn’t think compulsory fitness testing should be introduced (for the record, I do), just remember this post.