Page 17 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

Officers give

up their own

meant to leave on my first deployment to
Afghanistan. So, it was really hard knowing time to help
that this diagnosis stopped me from doing
what I had always wanted to do. Honestly, at others
the moment in time, it felt like everything
had gone south. It was as if everything I
enjoyed doing, I couldn’t do anymore, which Almost nine in 10 police officers have
is why the support and encouragement from done volunteer work or fund-raising
Mark to join the police has been amazing,” during the pandemic, a new survey for
says Luke, who met Mark for the first time in Public Service Day has revealed.
person last month, during a traffic night Research carried out by civil service
shift. and public sector membership club
“In a strange turn of events, during my Luke (right) with Mark Woodcock. Boundless found that 88 per cent of
training, I was a victim of burglary and, bag too. I’m very lucky. I really have met a officers found time to give something
unbeknown to me at the time, the officer friend for life in Mark and, in terms of my back during the Covid-19 crisis.
who came out to take my statement career, he has become a professional mentor Officers who responded were also
happened to be Mark’s wife. to me.” found to have raised £13,817 per person
“I was telling the officer about my Since speaking to Mark and joining the for charity during the course of their
condition, and this inspirational officer I Force, Luke says that his loved ones have career.
followed on Twitter - it wasn’t until later the noticed a change in him. Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands
penny dropped. He says: “I’m motivated again, and I Police Federation, said: “This research
“ I’m motivated again, actually look forward to going into work, of unique people and is at the heart of
underlines that policing is so special, full
something that I haven’t felt for a long time.
the communities we serve.
and I actually look

“My girlfriend says I’ve got my spark

“So many of our colleagues have been
forward to going into

Luke now sees having colitis as a positive
work, something that back.” working tirelessly on the frontline of this
pandemic, putting themselves in harm’s
I haven’t felt for a and is more than happy to open up about way to protect the public.
the condition, despite not wanting to talk

“And they’ve still been able to help
long time. about it at all as little as two years ago. communities and individuals by
“I didn’t even want people to know I had volunteering for roles or by raising money
it,” he admits, “But now I can see the for worthy causes.
“So it was great to actually meet Mark benefits of sharing my story. “It makes me proud to be a police
“
and go out on patrol with him.” “I’ve definitely grown a lot as a person. officer and, on Public Service Day, I thank
Before finally securing his place in the I’ve been through so much for a 26-year-old them all.”
Force, Luke was working for a national and now here I am, doing the dream job that Public Service Day was launched by
charity. Despite enjoying the role, his real I always wanted.” the UN in 2003 to celebrate our public
ambition was to join the Force, which drove Luke and Mark now speak regularly, services and the people working in them.
him to unsuccessfully apply for a role every seeking support from each other, with their
six months from the age of 18. condition as well as at work.
“I began to think it wasn’t meant to be, Mark said: “One of the reasons I set up
they were never going to take someone with this account was to normalise the condition
such medical baggage,” says Luke, “But then and show it shouldn’t stop people from
reading Mark’s story gave me hope.” doing what they love, especially in a role like
Having contacted StomaCop via Twitter, mine.
Luke, who reveals he was “ready to admit “I was so lucky to have such supportive
defeat” says Mark soon took him under his management and team around me,
wing. especially when I was having my stoma
“I wish there were enough words out fitted. It’s great that now I can pay this
there to describe just how much Mark has forward and support Luke in any way he
helped me, professionally and personally,” needs since he has joined the Force.
adds Luke, who was sworn in as a police “It was great to finally meet him and be
officer on 18 February. able to show him a different aspect of
“He helped me a lot, especially with my policing - hopefully he will join us on traffic
mental health. He taught me to be positive.” one day.”
Before speaking to Mark, Luke says he West Midlands Police Federation chair
didn’t know anyone else who had suffered Jon Nott said: “This is a truly inspirational
from colitis. story. Both these officers have proved that
“He helped me understand things,” living with a condition such as this does not
added Luke, who reveals Mark encouraged mean hopes, dreams and ambitions have to
him to be more open to medical support, be put on ice.
something he had struggled with. “We wish them all the very best in the
“If Mark hadn’t pushed me to work with future.”
the doctors, instead of against them, I Follow Mark’s journey on Twitter -
probably would’ve ended up with a stoma @stomacopWMP

www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2021 17