Page 131 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

Roll back to 1985, and Dr Sigmans’ comments described eloquently the
Spoiled Generation he talked about. Roll forward 30+ years, and it’s a good
job we weren’t holding our breath, as the spoiled generation passes it genes
and irreverence to the next without any sign of abatement.

Summer 1984 ended, and I was to experience a few positives that would help
steer my next steps.

In the Autumn, PS Callow was replaced by my old mentor, PS Trevor Lane. He
was sent to shake up the team of beat officers at Kingstanding, some of
whom had become less than effective. I welcomed his arrival because I
knew that provided your attitude was right and you worked hard, he would
back you all the way. Along with Trevor, came a few replacements for the
‘dead wood’ who were either sent back to units on shifts or transferred out of
forces with more fields than cities.

The day he arrived, after everyone wandered out to their beats, he asked me
to stay behind. He explained that Inspector Booth and he had discussed the
team and decided that I should be elevated to a semi-permanent Acting
Sergeant position. My paperwork was of a good standard and it was thought
that I was the man for the job.

Trevor had been recruited to not only shake things up, but to assist the
Inspector with the increasing number of engagements and meetings
involving outside agencies. At that time, Social Services, Local Government,
Education representatives and Jeff Rooker, the local MP became more
active as a collective group, meeting on a regular basis with the police to
plan strategies for making the area a safer place for the residents. Whilst not
a fan of meetings for meetings’ sake, I wholeheartedly believed other
agencies had their part to play in improving conditions.

Trevor explained he would often be called away to plan and attend these
meetings and, in his absence and whenever I could spare the time from my
beat responsibilities, I would be the team Acting Sergeant. He warned me
that whilst the role would be good for my future it could also be a ‘poison
chalice’. Not yet promoted to the full rank, I would be seen by some as the
boss’s ‘nark’, someone who might ‘tittle-tattle’ tales to gain favour and
perhaps change my character to unacceptable arrogance. Having worked
with such characters previously I was determined not to fall into that trap.

Page131