Page 77 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

of accumulated knowledge and experience to come close to the standard
Terry set for himself and others.

My perception of him changed after working with him. Admiration and
respect replaced the nervousness I had felt and these two combined
naturally brought out an enhanced degree of eagerness to keep improving
and honing my police experience and skills. If Terry paid you a compliment it
was always soaked in light hearted sarcasm and as we finished our two
weeks together, I felt pleased to hear him say “You’re ok …….. for a bloody
pro-con”

About this time also saw the arrival on our shift of a new probationer, fresh out
of the Ryton box of coppers. WPC 8815 Helen Stone, an ex-cadet swept into
Erdington with a ready smile and tea-making skills that meant I was no longer
the unit tea boy!

Helens tea bags hardly had time to change colour in the tea pot when
another new officer arrived on D Unit, PC 8974 Steve Williams. Steve joined
the job straight from officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College in
Dartmouth.

Steve and I quickly became pals, both in and out of work and I gained the
impression from the outset that the police was a stepping stone for him for an
even brighter future. Meanwhile, we enjoyed friendly rivalry on the shift, with
a developed sense of ‘blagging’ and a competitive spirit hunting out and
locking up burglars and thieves. Steve would leave the job after about 7
years, emigrating with his family to Australia. He gained his Law degree at the
University of Western Australia and is now partner in one of the most
prestigious insurance specialist Law firms in Perth.

I witnessed many fine individuals who committed their full working career in
service to the job and we should be grateful for he many, often thankless
years they gave to protect and serve the public. Those who moved on to
other careers left possessed with a broader perspective of human nature that
undoubtedly enriched their experience of life.

Prison Officers Dispute 1980/81

The similarity between the role of a police officer and that of a Prison Officer
is that there is no such thing as a typical day. Life can depend on the prison,
its level of security and the prisoners. Whilst we brought the offenders to
justice, the courts determined if a custodial sentence was appropriate at
which point the Prison Officers took over. Page77