Page 64 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

marched as smartly as I could so that I was in front of the man behind the
desk and saluted smartly “PC Bennett reporting Sir” I croaked.

“Sit down lad, we’re indoors and I haven’t got my cap on so don’t salute. I’m
guessing you were told to?” He asked. “Yes sir.” I replied gratefully taking a
seat. “You’ll learn. The old sweats like to play the new blood up.” He smiled
and I felt grateful I wasn’t be on the other end of his bark or bite just yet. His
ruddy complexion reminded me of Captain Mannering from Dad’s army,
with the capability of scaring the life out of junior officers if required.

He said he had my Ryton exam results on his desk, and I was relieved that he
was neither complimentary or critical about them, I was clearly PC Average
and to be honest, at this stage I was perfectly happy with that.

He repeated what I had heard so many times these past weeks, that if I
expected an easy ride I wouldn’t last long and that not everyone makes it
through their two-year probationary period. But he continued, work hard, do
well in your studies, listen and learn from the experienced chaps and I’d be
ok. Most of all he said, don’t make the mistake a lot of officers do and get
over confident or arrogant just because you’re wearing a uniform, otherwise
you’ll be brought down to earth like a tone of bricks.

He looked at his notes and confirmed that I would be joining ‘D’ Unit on the
D3 Sub Division at Erdington. They were on a 6am-2pm shift today, so I was to
get myself over there and introduce myself to the Inspector, Sergeants and
the rest of my shift. As I got up, I controlled my nerves and resisted the
temptation to salute, just saying “Thank you sir”. I can’t remember his reply
exactly, but it contained ‘Good Luck’ and something about making sure the
only times he would want to see me was if I’d done well. That was my hope
too.

As I left the station, the desk Sergeant flashed a knowing grin and I smiled my
acceptance of his little bit of fun. I was to discover that ‘blagging’ or
‘practical jokes’ played on the innocent was endemic in the service so I
realised quickly I would have to grow a thicker layer of skin.
Delta 3 Erdington Sub Division

I drove to Erdington Police Station arriving at about 10:30am and walked into
the enquiry office carrying my uniform wearing half blues.
As I stood on the customer side of the counter, an over-weight Sergeant who
reminded me of a ‘teddy-boy’ with Brylcreemed hair got up from his chair
and faced me. “Hello Best mate, who the f**k are you?” he said with a broad
grin on his face. This was my first encounter with Station Sergeant Ted ‘Best
Mate’ Reaney, so nick-named because whoever you were, cop or robber
that’s how he addressed you. Page64