A bit more about me!
You might have seen I was a volunteer policeman-what's known as a special constable. I thought I might explain why I wanted to volunteer to do this.
My Dad was a policeman so growing up I would hear him talk about his work. I learnt what it meant to be willing to stand up to people that are doing the wrong thing. It was part of my upbringing.
So as I got older I found myself stepping in when I saw things happening to people-someone having their bike stolen or being mugged. But that is not easy! People living a life of crime are used to confrontation and physical aggression.
So I decided I wanted to get more experience and build my confidence and of course take these people on when I was in a position to arrest them and make sure they faced justice.
Remember, people aren't compelled to be police officers. Yet we rely on people being willing to go out and confront criminals on behalf of all of us. But the police cannot possibly be everywhere all at once.
I know how hard it is, and I don't begrudge anyone who doesn't want to-but criminals increasingly take advantage of the fact people aren't willing to stand up to them. You might be on a bus with someone verbally abusing someone else. These days nearly everyone pretends it isn't happening and looks the other way. I understand why. People are scared and that's understandable. But if everyone on the bus who thinks it is wrong stands up and stands together in my experience people back down. A big ask I know! But I believe in it.
If you get fed up with criminals and want to help combat them why not be a volunteer police officer! Not because we shouldn't have a good number of paid police officers (we have record numbers) but because I think we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe.
