Page 167 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

After the business side of the job was done, we would wander back to the
station. It was these times that our friendship blossomed most. Perhaps
because we kept it as a friendship and didn’t let inappropriate feelings of
attraction intervene, we would find ourselves in fits of laughter, making each
other laugh almost uncontrollably at the daftest of things.

We shared our love of films and agreed on one that struck a chord with us
both, which was The Wizard of Oz and the dance Dorothy, the Scarecrow,
the tin-man and the cowardly lion did, linking arms and skipping along the
yellow brick road.

And so, it was, that this Autumn day, in full uniform, Karon linked her arm
through mine and we skipped along a suburban road in Great Barr, singing
“We’re off to see the wizard” much to the amusement of local residents and
passing motorists.

We were professional in our police duties, however we both felt that it didn’t
pay to take ourselves too seriously. This is a principle that stays with me to this
day.

And so, with the news of my CID attachment and all the excitement in my
head, I was determined I would enjoy my last few weeks as a uniformed
police officer.

Pub fights, lots of Acting Sergeant responsibilities, and plenty more prisoners
for crime filled the weeks which were to pass quickly. Even the routine beat
enquiries that I had come to find unchallenging were now a pleasure,
knowing that in a few weeks’ time I would be hanging up my uniform and
would have to go shopping for a business-like suit.

Friday 11 October 1985 was my last day in uniform. I would not wear it
th
again. No time for nostalgia now though, end of an era maybe, but too
many exciting and challenging new experiences lay ahead to waste time
reminiscing about the past.

In this intermission of my police career, let’s looks at two of the more
audacious acts and players that piqued my interest down the years and
have made their way into the history books of crime.

Page167