Page 16 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

Support for colleague

PC Luke Jemson.
‘StomaCop’ inspires new

recruit with life-changing

illness to not give up

aving been diagnosed with a ‘StomaCop’, Luke’s dream to work in the ileostomy, which saw his small intestine
life-changing illness, Luke Jemson hit Force became a reality when he joined the diverted through an opening of ‘stoma’ in his
Hrock bottom. He was medically police back in February. abdomen. He was fitted with a military
discharged from the Army and became As well as sharing a passion for policing, grade titanium plate to protect his stoma
isolated from his family and friends. He shut Mark and Luke have another thing in bag when he returned to work and now uses
himself away, admitting he didn’t want to common and that’s that they’ve both been his blog to raise awareness of colitis and to
be around anymore. Eight years later and his diagnosed with colitis. The duo are among encourage others who fear the condition will
life couldn’t be more different, the 26-year- 146,000 people in the UK to suffer from the hold them back.
old, who is one of West Midlands Police’s long-term, chronic condition, which leaves One of those people is Luke, who reached
newest recruits, reveals. the colon and rectum inflamed, and causes out to Mark around a year ago.
Inspired by traffic officer Mark pain and discomfort in the abdomen. “It’s been a really crazy year. I was
Woodcock, also known on Twitter as Last year, Mark (33) underwent an discharged from the Army just before I was

16 federation August/September 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids