21 April 2012
Forgive the self indulgence of the following. Most of you will not be aware of the financial and political attacks on the office of constable by this government of ours. Due to recent reviews to our terms and conditions our future hopes and aspirations have been curtailed and our careers, pensions and futures are under attack like never before. This is a piece written by an ordinary, everyday bobby on the beat. It perfectly encapsulates the frustrations we feel and the pride with which we do our job.
Please let me know what you think.
"I hold the office of constable. It was hard to get and has been difficult at times to keep, but I am as proud today to call myself a police officer as I was on the day I attested. Fortunately, I am much better at what I do now than I was then and those mistakes and that experience were hard-won. I have paid the price in sleepless nights, adrenaline and fear, as well as standing apart from my family and friends who did not and could not understand the changes in me.
I do not complain about this, because I am doing the job I have wanted to do since I was 15, when I saw police officers running towards a bomb that I was running away from. I wanted to feel as confident in myself and my ability to cope as they seemed to me to be. Looking back, I imagine that they were absolutely terrified, but they were still running, and that is what this job is to me, doing things that frighten you in spite of that fear. Standing up and holding the line no matter how tired, frustrated or terrified you are. Doing the right thing. Not the political, topical or easy thing, but following the principles of Peel and the oath of attestation no matter how attacked we are or demotivated we feel.
I don't do my job for the politicians, I do it for the frightened child, the battered wife and the bereaved husband whose worlds collapse in front of our eyes on a daily basis and who look to us for guidance and protection. We do have to stand together against these shameful attacks on our pay and conditions - God knows, the politicians have absolutely no idea what they are destroying - but we also have to remember that those we serve, the public, are not making these choices.
The country is facing huge problems and the police are on the front line. We need the public to support us in our fight against Winsor, just as we support them on a daily basis.
It is a sign of our collective and individual strength that we will continue to do our jobs as skilfully and professionally as always in spite of these attacks and that is how we show that we are worthy of the office of constable."
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It really does mean a heck of a lot. The general, law abiding public need to know how we feel regarding the recent political movements and we do need their support. We are all just normal, decent people trying to do what's right. That is unless you ask to pee in my helmet! ;-)
Humour Me • Opuss № I