Page 14 - WMPF Federation AUG-SEPT 2019_Neat

Raising awareness

‘It is okay not to be okay’:

ACC discusses Motor

Neurone Disease diagnosis

ssistant Chief Constable Chris where appropriate.” difficult moment. I have also had useful
Johnson has vowed to do all he can to He recognises the Force is working hard personal support from the MND Association
Araise awareness of the support on on this area as part of its diversity and and Primrose Hospice to help with practical
offer to officers and staff with disabilities inclusion plan with its EnAble Disability Carers’ support that focuses on living well.”
after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Association having received national He has been touched by the reaction he
Disease. recognition for its work in supporting has received since news of his illness was
Chris has welcomed the ‘simple and cheap colleagues with disability and their carers. made public: “The kindness and support from
adaptations’ the Force has made to allow him “While we are not perfect by any means, people inside and outside of policing has been
to continue carrying out his role for as long as there is a genuine desire to improve. Some humbling and has helped to raise awareness
he possibly can but also wants others to come people might say that I have only received the of MND.”
forward if they need extra support. support I have been given because I am an And he has welcomed the Force’s efforts
“I am aware that there are low numbers ACC. I would say that it is available to everyone to enable him to remain in a role he loves.
of people working within policing who and the reason why I am speaking out is I “Sometimes it’s the little things that make
declare having a disability, a fraction of the would like to encourage more visible role the most difference. This has definitely been
general population. We are made up of a cross models, making this part of the conversation, the case for me. I have been provided some
section of the communities we serve and this providing help for staff to enable them to spot flexibility on how I work with remote access
level cannot be right,” he explains. signs within their teams and efforts to and ability to work from home at times,” Chris
“I want to raise awareness of the support normalise the support available.” explains.
that is on offer and the approach taken for Chris (52) became ACC in April last year, 28 “To help me manage my symptoms I have
those who need support so that it helps to years after first serving as a Birmingham beat overnight ventilation. This means I am not
reduce the fear that they may have of coming bobby, and just six months later was able to perform on call during these hours.
forward. It is completely understandable that diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease Talking in long sentences can be challenging
people who fear for their and their family’s (MND), a terminal illness affecting the brain, so gaining people’s understanding and
future may not want to come forward but it is spinal cord and nerves that ultimately stops patience as to how we manage some of my
not right. It is okay not to be okay. muscles working. portfolio business also helps. All of this has
“I think that there is much better and “The diagnosis was a low point for me and been captured in my West Midlands Police
more open approach to disability across my family,” he said, “I was worried about how Reasonable Adjustment Passport (RAP).
policing than there has been in the past. this would affect my life, my income and my “The bottom line is these small changes
There have been some terrific national career. The whole chief officer team have been allow me to contribute to policing and keep
campaigns about hidden illness and, in wonderfully supportive as has the Police and coming to work. As my disease is progressive, I
particular, mental health which has changed Crime Commissioner. The personal support am sure I will need to revisit my RAP but at the
the environment to one where people are from the Chief and Deputy at a difficult moment this works well with me being able
much more willing to come forward and ask moment was, for me, a leadership moment of to continue to contribute. There is useful
for help. I also think that support services are truth; their support, understanding and information and support available and I have
“ policing, decided to join the Force based on his
been well supported.”
in place to help managers to identify and refer
kindness helped me and my family at a

Chris, who doesn’t have a family history of
The diagnosis was a low point for me and my family.
experience of meeting police officers while
I was worried about how this would affect my life,
working in the construction industry. He was
my income and my career. The whole chief officer
attracted to policing by a desire for a varied
career but wanted to help protect vulnerable
team has been wonderfully supportive as has the
Police and Crime Commissioner. The personal
sought to hurt others but also to have fun.
While he was able to get through the
people, to arrest and challenge those who
support from the Chief and Deputy at a difficult recruitment process at his first attempt, he
says he would probably have continued in
construction if he hadn’t.
their support, understanding and kindness helped During his first day out with his tutor,
me and my family at a difficult moment. Chris arrested a man at a burglary in progress,
a memory that has stayed with him
throughout his career, recalling: “I will never
14 federation August/September 2019 www.polfed.org/westmids
moment was, for me, a leadership moment of truth; “