Page 68 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

vehicle had its own call-sign. Delta Zulu 7 (DZ7) covered the Erdington area,
DZ8 covered Kingstanding and Great Barr. Delta Mike 19 and 20 were panda
cars covering smaller areas of Erdington. DM21 and 22 covered smaller areas
of Kingstanding and Great Barr.

Then A/Insp Whitehouse read out the postings. These are the specific duties
that each officer is assigned to for that shift.

A/Insp Whitehouse started “DZ7, PC Birtles (Bob) and PC Bennett, refs at
9am”. I heard Bob mutter “Shit, I get the bloody sprog again” at which all
those within earshot stifled their chuckles (not very well).

The rest of the postings were read out and PS Figure 33 D3 Delta 3 Erdington Sub Divisional Area
Lane said, “right you lot, quick cup of tea then
out you go.” Gary Ellis signalled to me and I jumped up to make my way to
the canteen, hearing shouts of “one sugar for me, two for me, not too much
milk” as I raced ahead of them. Already I was impatient for the next Pro-con
to come along to relieve me of my tea-monitor status.
As I made the teas for everyone, Gary reassured me about Bob. He told me
he was a hard worker, bit of a wild card and a joker to boot so not to take his Page68