Page 37 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

Induction

Bourneville Lane Police Station is a large building, which was Divisional
Headquarters for what was then known as the ‘B’ Division, a busy, mainly
residential district on the south side of Birmingham. Bourneville is perhaps
better known as the home of Cadbury’s Chocolate.

My week-long induction course at Bournville Lane started that Monday 14
th
April 1980. On arrival, in company with about 20 other nervous newbies, we
were checked off by a Sergeant who told every one of us, regardless of
hairstyle, that “It’s too long, get it cut before Ryton”. I was to find out what
Ryton was that week.

Still in the civilian clothing we arrived in, we were escorted to a classroom
where, during the week, we saw real police officers up close for the first time.
Lecturers and senior police officers spoke about what would be expected of
us, the ten-week residential training course at Ryton On Dunsmore, near
Coventry, and the two-year probationary training that would follow. It was
almost a relief to be asked basic questions that hadn’t already been
collated.

Early in the week, we were transported to Lloyd House, where we were all
sworn in as constables. In the presence of a Justice of the Peace, we all read
from a card the following: -

The Oath of Office of Constable in England and Wales, sworn by every police
officer before a Magistrate:

‘I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve
the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and
impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal
respect to all people, and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the
peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people
and property, and that while I continue to hold the said office I will to the best
of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according
to law.’

Back in the classroom at Bourneville Lane, we learned about Sir Robert Peel
who became Home Secretary in 1822 and in 1829, established the first full-
time, professional and centrally-organised police force in England and Wales,
for the Greater London area. The objectives of the force were set out in what
became known as the Peelian Principles. Page37