Page 104 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

contributed to a Road Traffic Accident would be unlikely to escape
prosecution.

I was to thoroughly enjoy my time on the AES as it exploited my near
obsession with reconstructing the enquiry, perfecting the paperwork and
having an influence over the result.

Handling an ever-increasing case load of 30+ RTA’s at any one time, I was
usually able to get the enquiries and documentation completed with hours to
spare each day. I really enjoyed taking witness statements and the practice
to a high standard was to prove extremely valuable for my future objectives.
Drivers suspected of offences had to be interviewed under caution and
statements recorded on ‘defendant’ statement paper which was set out
differently with cautions pre-printed on them.

Within a month or so, Sergeant Cummings told me that I was the most
effective officer on his team which pleased me no end. I quickly reached
the point where I wanted to fill the spare hours gainfully and I was delighted
when it was agreed that I could use any spare time studying for my Sergeants
examination. I had already ben studying hard at home for over a year and
this extra study opportunity would accelerate my efforts.

I always ensured the AES work came first and never prioritised my studies over
the work I was paid to do, my workaholic work ethic wouldn’t allow me to
accept anything less. Having started in March, my six months were due to
expire in September. Sergeant Cummings contacted me and asked if I would
be prepared to stay on another two months. His reason was that he felt
officers that had applied to replace me did not satisfy him they wanted the
role for anything other than a cushy six months. The officer he wanted would
not be available until November, so I agreed, and my attachment was
extended.

The police promotion examinations were notoriously tough. A thorough and
detailed knowledge of the complex Road Traffic, Criminal Law and General
Police Duties parts of legislation were required if a pass mark was to be
obtained. Having failed at my first attempt a year earlier, underestimating the
extent of knowledge, I was determined I would put enough work in this time.
The extra two months on the AES with a couple of hours study time was totally
appreciated. In fact, when working a 9-5, assuming my AES work was
complete by 3pm, I’d usually stay at my desk until 7pm studying. This way I
got more study hours in and missed the rush hour traffic home.

With the extension, the last day of my AES attachment was to be Tuesday 8
th
November 1983, when the next phase of my plan would kick in. It was also
this last day, by co-incidence that I heard the news that I had been Page104
successful in the Promotion examination to Sergeant.