BRINGINGBRINGING METMET PEOPEOPLEPLE TOGETHERTOGETHER January I 2010 THEJOB INSIDEINSIDE > ONE YEAR ON... Sir Paul talks about his fifirstrst year as Commissioner TTOGOGETHERETHER AS ONE HowHow staff associassociationsations helphelp the Met and public

What’s cooking? METKITCHENMETKITCHEN AIMS TO WHET YOUR APPETITEAPPETITE

01 Cover V2 The Job44.indd 1 11/12/0911/12/09 23:28:54 CONTENTS JANUARY 2010

Editor COVER: NICK GRIGG Jon Watkins Tel: 020 7775 5733 THE FRONT LINE Deputy Editor The Steve DeVries Tel: 020 7775 5734 Art Director Sundeep Bhui Editor Picture Editor Martha Gittens Picture Researcher Welcome to the latest issue of The Job, Anna Wilkins and a very happy NewYear to you all. Chief Sub Steve McCubbin A new year brings a fresh start and new Deputy Chief Sub ways of looking at things. Christina Ryder It’s fitting, then, that this month we went 8 All in order Senior Sub Darren Barrett along to meet Commander Bob Broadhurst, Your questions answered on the Head of who heads up public-order policing in the future of public-order policing Public Sector Steve McGrath Met, to ask him your questions on how Creative Director things are likely to change over the coming Michael Booth STAFF ASSOCIATIONS Account Manager 12 months and beyond. Sian Dudley As you’ll see from our feature on page 8, Acting Production Director Cmdr Broadhurst gave us some candid views Mike Lamb on public-order policing.Thanks to all of you Production Controller who sent in questions to put to him. Gemma Pickering This issue is a bit of a question-and- Finance Director Roger Baker answer special and we aren’t just looking Directors forward, either.I also went along to ask the Simon Chappell Peter Dean Commissioner about his first 12 months Chief Executive in the job. It has been a busy time. We talked 12 Strength in numbers Sean King about how taking over last January has How the different staff associations Chairman Mike Potter changed Sir Paul’s view of the Met, and what help the Met and the public Advertising has surprised him most. See our interview Richard Ibbotson Tel: 020 7775 5714 starting on page 18. Email: Richard. CATERING Ibbotson@seven Finally, this issue we also cover the rollout squared.co.uk of MetKitchen and MetCafé, two new brands being used to herald a new era for catering Published by Seven Squared for the services across the organisation. Metropolitan Police Service, Directorate of Public Affairs, New Scotland Yard. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the editor.January 2010. © Metropolitan Jon Watkins, Police Authority 2010. Editor Seven Squared, Sea 16 Something’s cooking Containers House, IF YOU REQUIRE A COPY OF THE JOB IN AN ALTERNATIVE 20 Upper Ground, FORMAT, PLEASE CONTACT THE DPA ON 63455. THE JOB IS London, SE1 9PD. The Catering Services improvement Tel: 020 7775 5777. ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE MPS INTRANET AND PUBLIC WEBSITE Fax: 020 7775 5711. (WWW.MET.POLICE.UK). programme has big things in store Email The Job via Aware. The advertisements featured in The Job are those of the advertisers and are NEWS FEATURES BOROUGH REFS not endorsed by the Metropolitan Police 4 On the beat 18 A year in the job 22 Sapphire success 27 Against the Wall Service (MPS). New equipment The Commissioner Team’s hard work Three officers run tested for officers on 12 months at sees paedophile length of Hadrian’s on single patrol the top sentenced to jail famous barrier

5 The first degree 20 Stop the horror 24 Brown’s around 32 Sloping forward Future of forensics New guidance PM congratulates Catch-up with means certified to tackle female Lewisham officer the Met Ski and courses for staff genital mutilation in person Snowboard Club

03 Contents V2 The Job44.indd 3 11/12/09 23:37:16 4 News | In focus

New tools for single patrol Equipment being tested to help protect officers on the beat

Help at hand: single very borough in the patrol is the Met’s The risk assessments are part of Single patrol also increases the Met has now submitted default way for a raft of things being done to assist cost-effectiveness of patrolling officers. officers to patrol a plan for delivering officers on single patrol. The Met is Currently, 78 per cent of the MPS E effective patrol and testing technology to further support budget goes on people, but single patrol carried out risk assessments to patrolling officers, for example. Officers can help raise the number of patrols. determine when and where uniformed from Kensington and Chelsea are Research carried out by the Met officers and staff should and using the Automated Personal Location revealed there were, on average, shouldn’t carry out single patrol. Single patrol is the default way for When officers are walking in pairs it officers to patrol. The Met believes single patrols boost public confidence can give the public the impression by making officers more visible and, as they are ‘strolling’, not patrolling a result, more accessible to the public. It also shows single patrols improve the way the Met engages with people. System (APLS). Other boroughs 5.5 extra patrols per day in each “When officers are walking together, will be getting the system shortly. borough where single patrol was some members of the public don’t “APLS enables boroughs to manage being deployed – around 176 extra want to interrupt them and feel resources more effectively,” says patrols across London every day. they are unapproachable,” explains Supt Stalker. It is a software tool that The Met wants to have ten extra Superintendent Paul Stalker, from enables the operator to identify the patrols a day in each borough, and TP Patrol OCU.“Always walking in approximate location and status of is looking at ways to release more pairs can also give the impression all officers on foot, in a similar way to officers and recruit more Specials to that officers are ‘strolling’, not how MDT works for vehicles, using accomplish this. Such an increase patrolling, so single patrol is more the global positioning system (GPS) would lead to about 64,000 extra appropriate in most circumstances.” present in the Airwave handset. patrols in Greater London each year.

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

04-06 News The Job44.indd 4 9/12/09 21:15:18 In focus | News 5

TRAINING DOGS Taking forensics a degree further... New university accreditations mean officers can obtain degrees

et staff who are disciplines are being rolled out as trained in the they’re developed and approved different disciplines by the university.The Crime Scene M of forensics will Examination degree has recently earn official university-level been validated. Degrees for forensic qualifications in the future. imaging, scientists and laboratory A new foundation degree programme workers, and firearms officers will be has been developed with Teesside approved in the coming months. University, offering academic “These foundation degrees sit qualifications in five areas of forensics. inside a bigger picture of what’s “In the past, we’d give trainees Met happening in forensic science certificates that recognised what they’d at the moment,” says Karen. done, but we’ve never before had an A foundation degree will be external body scrutinising how we train mandatory for all new members of our people,” says Karen Georgiou, forensics staff, while the lessons for Head of Forensic Development in the current trainees are being worked Directorate of Forensic Services. into the developing curriculum. That’s not to say that earlier training Existing staff can earn their degree Strong arm of the law: was in any way inferior, she explains, in a shorter time through what’s called one of the competing dogs takes a bite out but the government has mandated the Expert Route. “It’s so those people of crime that police develop programmes that who didn’t have the opportunity to go are accessible by academic partners. to university when they were younger “We’re now training staff differently, – for whatever reason – will get the incorporating important things for opportunity to earn that academic Leading the pack policing such as customer focus, acknowledgement,” says Karen. and how officers can add value at In future, staff will be able to apply Canines compete for a shot every opportunity in the investigative for lateral development, which will give at next year’s national trials process,” says Karen. “It also experts in one discipline a chance to ensures that evidence brought earn a foundation degree in another. t was no easy feat deciding who would be top dog to court is of optimum value.” Karen says: “What we’re doing, then, at the fourth annual South East Police Dog Trials The first graduate of the programme is building more resilience in our recently. The three-day competition pitted was Alex Perrin, who received workforce – training staff who are I14 dogs – 12 Met dogs from Catford and two from her degree for Fingerprinting, in experts in one discipline, but have a the Ministry of Defence – against each other in a series November. Degrees in the other greater understanding of another.” of competitions. They were tested on tracking, searching for people, criminal work and obedience at different venues in Keston and Bromley. The Met dogs and their handlers were recently featured on the ITV show Send in the Dogs. “The trials give both the handler and the dog a chance to do extra training,” says PC Dave Drake, one of the organisers. “All of the competitions are based on what is expected of them. They have to find someone who’s hiding, locate lost or stolen items, and chase and restrain a fleeing criminal.” The overall winners were PC Gordon Walker and his dog Charlie. The runner-up was Met Sergeant Dave Buck and his dog Huey. Can, the highest placed young It could be you: the first wave of dog under three years old, was handled by Met PC degrees are to be Graham Gower-Smith. followed by more

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

04-06 News The Job44.indd 5 9/12/09 21:15:22 6 News | In focus

Send your MOTORCYCLES IN AN ideas for In An Ideal World to IDEAL thejob@met. A wheel difference WORLD… police.uk In a new column, we ask people around the More motorcycle ops after extra funding Met how colleagues could help make things more efficient. This week: the Traffic CJU... otorcycles are an working with more companies to

important part of the promote safer motorcycling with In an ideal world... GETTY IMAGES, HANNAH EDWARDS, REPORT DIGITAL Met’s efforts to cut crime employees and engaging with schools BOCUs and CO units would fill in victims’ details M and reduce deaths on and colleges to promote safer in the Special Message Format (SMF) on CAD the roads. motorcycling.” reports that relate to personal-injury collisions. Now, the Motorcycle Tasking Team Exact expansion plans are still being is in a position to make an even greater drawn up, but watch this space for This would help the Traffic CJU better deliver on impact on crime in London, after more on the team. the Policing Pledge. relaunching with additional fundingng from Transport for London. Why, what’s the problem? Inspector Paul Cleevely, from thee When an officer attends a personal-injury team, says many motorcycle collision, they must fill out a collision report book. officers’ operations and duties will Before, the Traffic CJU had to wait for those to remain similar to before – but that arrive in Sidcup before we could liaise with the the extra funding will allow for moree victim in our investigation. But under the Policing operations and bigger ones at that. Pledge, we are now required to contact the victim “We will be delivering more within working 10 days.The SMF is a part of the motorcycle-seizure operations to target those driving without CAD report where the names and details of the a licence or without insurance,” he says. “But we will also be A simple entry on CAD concentrating on educating bikers to ride more safely through the reports would speed up Bikesafe project. We will also be contact with victims

people we need to contact can be entered and VIOLENT CRIME sent on ahead of the collision report book. We then get a head start on contacting them.

Pulling together So what can be done? Violent Crime officers run two events The boroughs need to have a system in place where the officer, after having completed the to share how they work with partners book, gets it to their integrated borough operations (IBO) room where the CAD-trained he Met’s Violent Crime helped arrange the events, explains: staff can fill the report in as we require. Directorate came together “They were for crime managers and with partners from across detective inspectors within the Met the care sector recently community safety units or criminal Who should take the lead locally? T It would be up to the chief inspector in charge to to share ideas and draw attention to investigation units, borough Crown issues around safeguarding adults. prosecutors and front-line lawyers. ensure that a working system is in place for the The Violent Crime Directorate put “The objective was to raise information to get from the officer on the street to on two day-long events in partnership awareness of vulnerabilities that the IBO and ultimately to the Traffic CJU quickly, with the Community Safety Unit’s impact on victims and witnesses. no matter what time of day it is. Service Delivery Team and the Crown In addition, the events promoted Prosecution Service London. They greater understanding between What’s the ultimate outcome? attracted partners from Leonard partner agencies around evidence Staff in the Traffic CJU deal with a large number Cheshire Disability, Mind, Action on gathering and sharing good practice of people who wouldn’t normally come into Elder Abuse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ in safeguarding cases.Representatives Hospital, and Kensington and from partner agencies and specialist contact with the police. Better contact shows the Chelsea Council, among others. departments provided expert public the Met’s professionalism and increases Detective Constable Maria Gray, advice to those in attendance and their confidence in the police. In turn, they will be from the Violent Crime Directorate, who held a challenging debate.” more willing to help us in our fight against crime.

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

04-06 News V2 The Job44.indd 6 11/12/09 22:21:09 8 Feature | Public-order policing ALL IN ORDER Public-order policing was the topic of a major debate in London recently. Keen that you should not miss out, we took your questions along and posed them to the man in charge of public order in the Met…

t’s the subject that dominated 2009 – G20 kept public-order policing firmly in INTRODUCING NEW TACTICS the spotlight, and many things were written and said about the Met’s tactics Why don’t we use water and the future of public-order work. Qcannon? I In December, the people leading public-order policing across the UK came There are a number of reasons for this. together to share ideas, discuss the future and address issues around kit, tactics and Water cannon is actually Home Office training. They were joined by officers from across the country (see box, below) for the and ACPO approved, but are the public conference. However, even though there was room for 350 people, we wanted to open ready to have water cannon in central up the debate to everyone in the Met. So, we asked you to send in your questions, London? The occasions on which we which we took along to Commander Bob Broadhurst, Head of Public-Order Policing would need them are relatively few in the Met, to get some answers to the things on your minds... and far between, and that means having a very expensive resource that we need to keep officers trained for TACTICS AND TRAINING Why are we subjected to and ready to use. There’s an economic Can you assure us that when Q petrol bombing while on balance there. Qplanning for the future you level 2 training when that’s rarely will not do away with some of the something we face? Given that officers are good things? Petrol bombs have been used against Q always being warned about There is a huge focus on consulting us in the past and are regularly found the potential effects of CS spray officers. With public-order policing, as during searches. I only get to put in large crowds, is it time to with any area of our work, we listen to officers through level 2 training once consider using ‘Pava’ spray? our workforce and the public. The basic a year, and I need to get them trained The option of using CS and other premise is that we will never throw the and able to take the highest level of sprays has been with us for a long baby out with the bath water. We will force they could face in any situation. time. But we tend not to use them always look at the issues as a whole and Generally – putting firearms to one side because they’re indiscriminate. Also, decide what to keep and what not to. as there is a specific response for that – if you fire a large volume of it, at some petrol bombs are the top end of violence stage it will blow back in the faces Are there any plans to stage we are likely to face. I need to make sure of officers. We are looking at other Q a major public-order exercise officers are confident with their kit, opportunities, whereby only the involving the key stakeholders confident with their tactics and intended individual gets it, but those from Operation Benbow? confident to face what could possibly be things need testing and would need to Operation Benbow is the strategy for thrown at them. If they can do that, then be Home Office approved, which we policing pre-planned and spontaneous they can do the lower end of things. are some years away from. public order that affects the Met and other forces. We train with our PUBLIC ORDER IN THE SPOTLIGHT colleagues from BTP and the City regularly, they use our facilities at The key message to come out of the recent it provided the chance to discuss some of Gravesend, and we work closely day to public-order conference, which was hosted the issues to come out of HMIC reports. day. So we have a lot of experience by the Met and welcomed officers from “It was also a chance for us to send out working together fairly successfully.The across the country, was “we can’t ignore the message that we are doing a good job,” challenge of big set-piece events is cost G20, we’ve had a series of reviews into it, adds Cmdr Broadhurst. “The list of speakers and extraction of officers. We do them and we are reacting”, explains Commander was very impressive, from the Policing from time to time and we are making Bob Broadhurst. Minister, David Hanson, to Chief Inspector those training events more lifelike so The conference underlined the importance of Constabulary, Denis O’Connor, and we get more from them. The issue is of public-order policing nationally. It was Hugh Orde, President of the Association of not so much operational policing on the an opportunity for the Met, as host, to Chief Police Officers. They came together ground – our officers are pretty good at share its skills and best practice. Held at a to discuss the big issues with around 350 this. The bigger challenges come from prestigious location – Wembley is obviously police officers. It shows our commitment to the command protocols that do not one of the Met’s key public-order venues – getting public-order policing right.” always need full-scale rehearsal.

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

08-10 Q&A The Job44.indd 8 9/12/09 21:28:59 Public-order policing | Feature 9

I have the utmost respect for officers who volunteer to come forward and do public-order work

Commander Bob G20, THE MEDIA AND SUPPORT Have we reached the point Broadhurst gets to grips with your The Home Affairs Committee Q where the first consideration questions recently Qpublication said police should when deciding on tactics is how it TALKING be aware that, in the modern looks to the press? world, actions that may be That’s clearly not the case. The first thing HEADS justifiable under the rules may we must do in any public-order incident nonetheless be completely is work out the safest and the best way BOB BROADHURST unacceptable. Could you be doing to resolve the situation. However, we Rank: more to clarify the situation? would be very naïve if we turned our COMMANDER Anyone in my position will say you can back on our image and how we are From: never communicate enough and that perceived. Every one of us must have a PUBLIC ORDER the messages don’t always reach the mind to ensuring that what we do and people in the way you intend. We have how we do it is focused on doing it the “I am very aware that level 2 to accept now that whatever we do, right way and the way we were trained. officers – those from boroughs whether it be public-order policing or who are specially trained in public policing on the streets, happens in Why isn’t the Met more robust order – are put into conflict range of somebody’s camera or Q in explaining tactics when it situations, and that they work in somebody’s phone. comes to national coverage/ a high-pressure environment. But The undertaking we can give as controversy/criticism? I want them to know that they are senior management is that we won’t There are areas of public-order work very well supported by me, by the react in a knee-jerk way to things that aren’t well enough known to Commissioner and by the like that. Things that need to be the general public and the press, and organisation as a whole.I hope investigated will be investigated. But perhaps we can be a bit more robust in they see that and feel that. if we look at an incident and we see explaining why we do some of the things Following G20, no-one handed in nothing untoward in it, we will not be we do. We have been doing some work their cards.That is a sign of the pushed into a position where we have with the press, inviting them to type of people they are.We’ve to do something. experience public-order training, and done hundreds of events since, Officers need to feel confident that will help. we will continue to do those, and that, providing they are acting The more people that understand I am proud of the people we have properly, in the way they were what we do, the fewer people there will to call on to work to the high trained, they will get the full support be that misunderstand it and make standard they do.” of the organisation. spurious allegations against us.

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

08-10 Q&A The Job44.indd 9 9/12/09 21:29:04 10 Feature | Public-order policing

ARDS Are there plans to introduce W Q an intermediate public-order kit for those events when flame- HANNAH ED proofing is not needed? Not really, although a two-piece overall could soon be available that might give more versatility.The problem with public-order events is that they can change suddenly from being calm and peaceful to being incredibly violent without the opportunity for officers to change kit. It is safest for our staff to be kitted up in gear that will withstand the whole range of attack from the outset.

It is painfully obvious that Q communications, or the lack of them, is a major issue. What is being done about it? We need to be realistic that in a public-order scenario, sometimes communicating is hard. But that is the time when we fall back on our public- Commander Bob order training to be confident and safe Broadhurst is “immensely proud” in that situation. of his officers Sometimes the feeding leaves In light of G20, how can you from that to full kit. What we have been Qa bit to be desired at events. Q expect any officer to be considering is something we trialled We try to feed officers with snacks confident to use force, regardless with the TSG at the Carnival this year, throughout the day. Occasionally, we will of the provocation? and that is to give officers a pouch from Read more of get that wrong, because the event takes a Commander The first thing to say is that I have the which to hang their NATO helmet. It Broadhurst’s turn we didn’t expect it to. What I would utmost respect for officers who means they can wear their flat cap or answers to your do is praise the work of our catering staff questions on the volunteer to come forward and do helmet to face the crowd and then, if intranet. From who do a fantastic job.They are generally public-order work, because they are all the level of violence becomes a concern, the homepage: on duty two or three hours before we are, Structure > CO > volunteers. I also understand they need they can change their headgear. CO homepage and are there until the end. to have confidence and faith in their training, they need to have confidence in their kit and they need to have confidence that we will back them and WHAT IT TAKES... support them in what they do – TO BE A PUBLIC-ORDER OFFICER providing they have done what they have been trained to do and that they Chief Inspector Jane Connors, Westminster genuinely feel they have done that with the right level of force. You have to be analytical need to make sure they’re and able to stay calm. You accessible.When I’m at, KIT AND EQUIPMENT have to be able to step say, a protest, I’m often Why, during sustained back and look at all the down talking to the Q attacks on uniformed officers different things that are officers and making sure at the Notting Hill Carnival in going on and then make they’re in the right place. 2008, did officers only have their your decision. You have It gives them a focus and beat helmets for protection? to be able to manage a lead. We have been doing some work around pressure, because if you For younger officers this. One of our biggest dilemmas in can’t, your decisions are looking to get into this policing through consent is that we going to be flawed. work, I’d advise shadowing start any event by policing in a The briefing is a crucial people at different events proportionate manner to the threat we part of making sure that and getting involved, even face. That generally means we start in the team works together if you’re not level 2. our ordinary beat uniform. We then when it’s out. The bronze Everybody’s different and meet force with force. The dilemma for or silver commanders you’ll pick up new ideas. the command team is when to switch

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

08-10 Q&A V2 The Job44.indd 10 11/12/09 22:22:11 12 Feature | Staff associations STRENGTH FOUND IN NUMBERS Met staff associations are helping their members and bringing the organisation closer to the public

taff associations are Greek or Turkish, you would more flourishing in the Met, not than likely have gone to them. But only bringing extra support as minorities within the service grew, Sand a sense of belonging to so did the associations. their members, but also creating a key “London is made up of 40 per cent route for the Met to connect to the minority communities and the Met is different communities it serves. trying hard to represent all.” Staff associations provide an Halil says that, while initially the independent source of advice and staff support associations were there support which is beneficial for staff and to educate the organisation about the officers. They assist the Met in many various cultures of its officers, they have

The Met is a very big organisation SAMURAI Coordinator Maninder and contains a huge range of diversity. Desoura adds that the Ibero-American Staff Support Association worked very Staff associations reflect that closely with the Met to help calm anxieties after the Jean Charles de Menezes case. “Their chair, PC Juan respects, including the recruitment, now developed to provide feedback to Pimienta-Usuga, was leading retention and progression of employees. directors at a strategic level. community engagement in his role with And they help build links between their “We have set up a consultation portal, the Communities Together Unit,” he community and the MPS. and through this, directors can learn says. “In the anxious time after the The first to be set up some 15 years from associations, and associations shooting, the association held surgeries ago was the Black Police Association, contribute to important issues such as to allay people’s fears and build bridges while the launch of the Transgender recruitment, retention and progression, between communities and police.” Association in November 2009 brings as well as welfare and implementation Maninder says that by embracing the total in the Met to 19. of fair processes. It’s about giving difference, the organisation is The views, perspectives and needs of people a voice, a fair and equal voice.” definitely strengthened. different staff groups are represented to “The Met is a very big organisation the wider Met through the umbrella A COMMUNITY CONNECTION with a huge range of diversity. Staff organisation Support Associations The value of associations as a cultural associations reflect that. It was more Meeting Up Regularly and Interacting reference point to support policing has than 30 years ago that the first turban- (SAMURAI). Chair Halil Huseyin says been another benefit. As just one wearing Sikh officer was employed by staff associations are an invaluable way example, Emerald Society Chair PC the Met. Now some turban-wearing to support the equality and diversity James Noonan says the association is in Muslim officers are helping forge links agenda of the Met. the process of making contact with the and gain intelligence from communities.” “When the Black Police Association Irish Travellers’ community to address As the longest-established staff was set up, whether you were Asian, the issue of domestic violence. support group, the Black Police

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

12-14 Staff Associations The Job44.indd 12 9/12/09 21:33:18 Staff associations | Feature 13

THE NEWEST VO

ASSOCIATION TIINA TER Sherri Joyce, a security officer at the Palace of Westminster, is also a transgender woman with the Met. Feeling she was born in the wrong body of a man, Sherri faced one of the toughest identity challenges imaginable. “Sooner or later for most transgender people it comes down to two choices: transition to the gender that’s natural for you, or throw yourself off the nearest bridge,” she says. “Most of us reach total and utter despair. Despite what many think, it’s not a lifestyle choice.” This spurred Sherri and her friend and colleague, PC Louise Worsfold, to set up the Transgender Staff Support Association. Sherri is now vice chair while Louise, a firearms officer at Heathrow, is chair. They were supported in launching the group by Sergeant Amanda Gutierrez-Cooper of the Met Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate. “The association is providing a small but significant SAMURAI Chair community with support, as well Halil Huseyin says as providing managers with a the associations support diversity resource to tap into for advice and guidance on specific issues, like staying within the law THE MPS CHINESE AND SOUTH EAST when carrying out in-custody searching of transgender ASIAN STAFF ASSOCIATION people,” says Sgt Gutierrez- Cooper. “Best practice advice Every Chinese New Year, among the lanterns The association was established in says to deal with people as they and the firecrackers in Trafalgar Square, a 2004 and contributes in practical ways to choose to present themselves.” special MPS recruitment bus can be seen, connect the organisation to Chinese people Sherri enjoys her job, gets manned by members of the Chinese and in the capital. on well with colleagues and South East Asian Staff Association. “Everyone can see that the Chinese says the Met has always been Speaking both Mandarin and Cantonese, community is a very important part of a “brilliant” employer. That’s they aim to encourage recruits from one of the London life,” says Shantee. “But sometimes testament to why this is the first most visible communities in the capital. language issues or mistrusting the police – job she’s been able to settle into. “We have been actively involved in because in their country police tend to have But Sherri has faced recruitment events for the past few years,” a military background – can deter people from misunderstanding, fear and says association chair Shantee Dodah. reporting crime.” hostility, including hounding by Shantee, who is a police staff fingerprint Association members have tackled the a tabloid paper. That’s where expert based at New Scotland Yard, adds: issue head on. Recent successful initiatives the new association can help. “When people come and talk to us, they can include a visit, with a Mandarin-speaking It aims to improve legislative see the Met already has Chinese officers and officer, to a Lambeth community centre to give protection at work, help develop staff and that is very encouraging to them. security advice to elderly members of the policy, and try to achieve greater “Within the Chinese community, joining the Chinese community. “They were surprised to awareness and understanding of police is not the first thing on their mind. We see a Chinese officer and someone who could transgender colleagues and their are trying to get over that it can be a great speak to them in their own language. Now experiences as police officers career and in fact a career of first choice.” they know in future they can come to us.” and staff.

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

12-14 Staff Associations V2 The Job44 13 11/12/09 22:22:59 14 Feature | Staff associations

Association has made a significant providing a valuable source of expertise contribution in developing links with to support a criminal investigation. THE MPS black communities. “It could be anything from an officer EMERALD These include developing and who speaks Punjabi to someone who has supporting youth programmes and expert knowledge of art and antiques,” SOCIETY anti-drugs and anti–gun crime explains Maninder.“The members of the initiatives, and contributing to the staff associations are encouraged to add Irish officers and staff make Stephen Lawrence Inquiry between their names to the database. It is about up the largest minority ethnic 1998 and 1999. appreciating, valuing and making the group within the MPS, and with most of your personnel.” approximately 400 members, READY RESOURCE Halil sees flourishing staff the Emerald Society is Superintendent Leroy Logan, from the associations as a sign of an one of the largest staff Black Police Association, was the driving organisation’s health. “No one is going to associations in the organisation. force behind SAMURAI as a means know a community better than members PC James Noonan, a firearms of maximising the contribution of all themselves.These are all run by officer at Heathrow, is the founder the staff associations to the Met, while operational officers and staff, and they and chair. He says: “We estimate the formation of the Cultural and are helping the Met connect with all its there are between 7-10,000 Irish From the intranet Communities Resource Unit was also his communities. It can only be positive for homepage: R > officers in the Met. The Irish make Representative idea.The unit acts as a database of an organisation to know its members as Associations > a huge contribution to policing in officers’ special knowledge and skills, well as possible,” he says. SAMURAI London, but they didn’t always get recognition for it.” He says the need for the society AN ASSOCIATION WHO’S WHO became obvious when, 15 years Staff associations represent the views of their members and those of their respective external ago, he simply put out an email communities to the organisation to promote understanding from within. They also advise and and “got a huge response”. support their members on matters important to them and organise social events.They include… The society was set up formally in 2005. • Assn of Muslim Police London Branch • MPS Greek Staff Assn “When we started off, we • Assn of Senior Female • Gay Police Assn • Met Police Hindu Assn wanted it to be a social society. Police Staff •Jewish Police Assn • Met Police But we also address the MPS • Assn of Senior • Met Black Police Assn Ibero-American Assn recruitment and retention policies Women Officers • MPS Emerald Society • Met Police Sikh Assn and we support Irish officers in • British Association for • MPS Chinese • Met Police Turkish and practical ways.” Women in Policing and South East Turkish Cypriot Assn That includes mentoring and • Catholic Police Guild Asian Staff Assn • Met Police Italian Assn guidance to support new recruits • Christian Police Assn, • MPS Disabled Staff Assn • Met Transgender Assn who are often coming straight from small and quiet Irish communities to one of the busiest capitals in the world. THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM “We have set up a buddy POLICE – WOMEN’S COMMITTEE system and through that we give new Irish officers contacts on the borough and assist them through Taking time off from her job during Ramadan officers in the Met were growing as the years their probation period. and fitting in her prayer schedule with her went on and there was no central point for us “Many of them have no family duties are two issues DC Syria Hussain says to contact other officers if you needed a in London, and this is the sort of she has learnt to deal with during her career mentor, or to speak to other Muslim officers support that can make the in the MPS. as a networking point.” difference between them staying The organisation has had a staff association The Women’s Committee was formed to or going, because we give them for Muslim Police for 12 years – one of the provide support and advice on the small but a way in and show them the Irish oldest associations – and this has recently important number of issues that arise are successful in the Met.” been strengthened by the establishment of specifically for Muslim women officers. a women’s committee within the group. They include officers dealing with DC Hussain is based with the Serious Crime Muslim female victims of domestic Directorate Homicide Team (East), one of four violence, as well as helping the MPS SCD1 teams that cover the whole of London. develop uniform policy. “When I went to Hackney 13 years ago I “Some female officers wanted to wear ‘hijab’ was the only Muslim officer.A few years later a and they didn’t know who in uniform to talk to. male officer joined. As a member of the In 1999 we launched it as an issue. It took a Association of Muslim Police, I was part of few years for a safe design, but now it is an a very small team. The numbers of Muslim established part of the uniform.”

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

12-14 Staff Associations V2 The Job44 14 11/12/09 22:23:09 16 Feature | Fuel for the job COOKING UP A STORM Two new brands are being rolled out by Catering Services that will come to mean a better dining experience at Met facilities. The Job went along to sample a taste of what’s in store...

here’s a new eatery that’s purchasing quality food from saw that he was using crutches and opened in the St James’s sustainable sources. politely offered to carry his tray to his Park area, and it’s aiming “We’re looking at our meat suppliers, table for him. Tto be a favourite choice for looking at our fruit and vegetable The dining area reflects the modern Met officers and staff. suppliers – looking at where the food look of the serving area, with white After a refurbishment lasting three comes from and the miles it has chairs and tables, and the kind of months, the staff restaurant at New travelled,” says Coralie Beamish of décor you’d expect at a high street Scotland Yard has reopened as Catering Services. lunch spot. Words like stir, sip and MetKitchen and MetCafé. More than pour adorn the walls under pictures of just logos to adorn the glass doors SERVICE WITH A SMILE gourmet coffee. leading into the serving area, Good food is put to good use. Among “We’re looking to create a meeting MetKitchen and MetCafé are brands the new features of MetKitchen is place where people from the Met can that will be spread to the other a serving area where customers can bring their guests,” says Coralie. One MPS facilities very soon. Catering watch their food being cut, cooked and of the best places to meet in comfort is Services is hoping that in the minds served. Its offerings change daily – with MetCafé, which features lounge-style of their customers, they will come to stir-fry one day, pasta the next and a seating with tables. The full-service represent quality, fresh and varied carvery after that. coffee bar offers all of your favourite food, a comfortable atmosphere and On the day The Job visited, Jeff hot drinks and a full range of sweet enticing prices. Woodcock – who’s been with the Met for and savoury treats. In the evening, more than 26 years – was serving up hot snacks such as jacket potatoes are OUT WITH THE OLD roasts to the hungry customers. served, ensuring no-one goes hungry. The facility at New Scotland Yard is “This change to MetKitchen and For those who just want to get a bit proof that they’re on the right track. MetCafé has brought us into the modern of work done, there are four computer The new look is brighter and era, allowing us to compete with the terminals, giving it that internet cheerier than the dated decor of the outside,” he says. “It’s a comfortable, café flavour. old cafeteria, which one staff member friendly environment for the customers, According to Coralie, the brands willill described as “1980s”. A lick of white and it’s really nice for the staff to come start to become visible early this yearr, paint and some polished surfaces have to work in.” while refurbishments similar to the given it a modern feel. The same catering staff who were one at NSY are on the cards at some The aromas of fresh ingredients working at the old Met canteen have locations over the next few years. waft through the serving area, drawing returned wearing smart, blue uniforms. the eye to the entrées available from Jeff says that they used to be hidden the rewritten menu. behind large serving racks. But since “The philosophy behind MetKitchen MetKitchen is largely self-service, is to use seasonal, fresh produce while they’re free to interact with the offering enough variety for everybody,” customers and meet their needs says Susanna Dee, who manages face to face. MetKitchen and MetCafé at New “It’s made a terrific change from the Scotland Yard. That might sound like a look of the old cafeteria,” says Tony tagline from an advert, but it’s backed Dourado of SCD26. When he arrived for up by the team’s long-term goal of lunch, he says, one of the catering staff

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

16-17 Kitchen The Job44.indd 16 9/12/09 22:40:32 Fuel for the job | Feature 17 HANNAH EDWARDS

TEAPOT THREE IS HERE Talk about meals on wheels – the new Teapot Three has now been rolled into service! The new incident catering support unit is larger than its counterparts, Teapot One and Teapot Two. It features a greater variety of catering equipment, making the possibilities for food variety even greater. It has hot and cold drinks dispensers to help reduce queuing times, and more storage for longer operational deployments. Teapot Three can be fully equipped and staffed within two hours of being called to an incident.

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

16-17 Kitchen The Job44.indd 17 9/12/09 22:40:53 18 Feature | One year at the top ‘WE WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE’ Twelve months ago, The Job went along to interview Sir Paul Stephenson. He’d only been in his new job as Commissioner for a few days, but said he was under no illusions about the size of the job. One year on, we went back to ask him if his expectations have been met…

roles I have been doing for a number of years.You can’t do a job like this and expect to enjoy the freedoms and flexibilities others have. But as I said, I went into the job with my eyes wide open. I’m enjoying it, I am hugely proud to be doing it, and I consider it a massive responsibility.I am very lucky to have a family that understands that.

How do you feel the Met has Q responded to some major issues in your first year? The thing about the Met, particularly when you speak to other police chiefs around the world, is just how highly Have you enjoyed the first Is the job what you expected regarded it is and just what a fantastic Q 12 months as Commissioner? Q it would be? reputation we have. Yes I have, very much. I said when we As Deputy Commissioner I had What has been the greatest joy to me met a year ago that I was hugely proud the opportunity to witness the over this past 12 months is how that to have been selected to lead such a responsibilities of being Commissioner tradition has been upheld, through historic, and very fine, police service. first hand. So I went into it with my eyes challenging times, by so many people. That has remained the case, and there wide open. I haven’t been surprised by I’ve met officers and staff who are hasn’t been a day that has gone by in the challenges, although some of them tactically aware, strategically aware, the year since I was selected where that have been a little tricky. dedicated to the task, and still enjoy the pride has been anything less than it same camaraderie and fantastic sense was on the first day. Has the job changed you of humour that I remember when I was Q or your outlook on life? policing the streets. Police staff and What have you enjoyed the I don’t think there has been a day in cops working together to produce so Q most this year? policing when I haven’t learnt from the many good results for Londoners… Seeing highly professional people issues both I and others have faced, and gosh, that makes me terribly proud. addressing challenging issues, and that has gone on for more than 34 years. I think policing is a bit like a family. dealing with, and succeeding in facing, But has it changed me? No, I don’t think It is a family that has got to learn, it has challenges that only a unique force like so. I think I am who I was before I took to grow, it has to embrace new members the Met is faced with. The enjoyment the job. In terms of my values, I am the of the family and it has to change. We of leading a police service that delivers same person. But that doesn’t mean to are extraordinarily good, but we all policing to seven million Londoners say that you don’t learn every day. know that we have to be even better yet. and visitors every day of the year, in one of the iconic cities of the world, is added Has it changed your personal There have been big issues in to by being the head of the organisation Q life a great deal? Do you still Q your first year, such as G20… that leads in the national coordination find time to switch off? I guess if you speak to any of the of our counter-terrorism effort. I find I consider myself extraordinarily lucky Commissioners over recent times, they this job a challenge and an honour in in that I have the support of a family have all had their share of difficult equal parts. that has put up with the demands of the situations that require leadership and

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

18-19 Commissioner V2 The Job44.in 18 11/12/09 22:29:58 One year at the top | Feature 19

action. I don’t suppose the Met has ever had a year where there haven’t been big issues to address. Of course, we have had our own this year. And I think the Met has responded very, very well. But that is not to say I went into this job with there aren’t lessons to be learned. my eyes wide open. I And of course we also pick up historic challenges, things that have happened in haven’t been surprised the past that continue to visit us.That’s by the challenges my job – to deal with those and ensure that the men and women, the officers and staff of the Met, don’t get distracted

from the task at hand. It’s my job to make NEIL TURNER, REUTERS, REX FEATURES, STARSTOCK, JONATHAN SHORT/LFI sure they have the right support, training, guidance, and intrusive supervision to get on with the job.

The Commissioner says he and the Mayor are “getting on with the business”

You are the first QCommissioner to work with Mayor Boris Johnson for any real Above: Sir Paul length of time. How do you feel the What’s your key message for says the Met will I think that will continue as long as relationship is working? the next 12 months? strive to learn from I am Commissioner. Q the issues it faces I wish I had as much hair as him, but Undoubtedly, the next 12 months will be I also want to take this opportunity to other than that everything is fine! challenging both in an operational and thank the people in the Met, and indeed We understand our roles and we in an organisational sense. People in the all our other partners, for their hard are getting on with the business. I have Met will see what is going on in the work over the past 12 months. no reason to believe that he does not wider world regarding the financial In particular,I want to thank the understand the delineation between constraints that many are facing, and people that I lead for giving me such operational policing and politics. that is coming our way as well. a fantastic opportunity to enjoy such When, in recent times, I thought it We are preparing for that, and I know a tremendous role. was appropriate to speak about the the Met will rise to the task at hand. importance of operational Our job is to ensure that we maintain independence, I’ve been very pleased and, wherever possible, increase our that I haven’t found anyone, either operational capability and continue to locally or nationally, in any significant deliver services that increasingly make political sense that sees it differently. sense to the people who pay our wages. I think that is important for the future My job is to make sure I support officers of the Met and for the future of the and staff in doing that. police service. However, while we prepare for a challenging future we have to remember What’s been the high and low what our role is. Thirty-four years ago Qpoints of the first year? I was told what the role of policing was There is no point looking at it like that. – to save life, prevent crime, detect The G20 protests provided a tough I believe you should learn from every crime, and keep the Queen’s peace. And challenge during situation but never dwell on the past. in my opinion nothing has ever changed. Sir Paul’s first year

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

18-19 Commissioner V2 The Job44.in 19 14/12/09 10:27:50 20 Feature | Female genital mutilation AWORLD OF HARM Officers and staff are being asked to check out a new resourcerce for spotting the warning signs of female genital mutilation, a threat posed to thousands of girls in the capital...

he opening paragraphs of and it’s estimated 6,500 girls are a new resource pack for at risk here. police and other The new guidance was launched T professionals makes for recently at the Globe Academy in some unsettling reading. Southwark. In attendance were The pack, put together by the representatives from LSCB, healthcare London Safeguarding Children Board professionals, officers from the Met’s (LSCB), quotes a graphic passage from Project Azure – which works with Desert Flower, the autobiography of partners and communities to tackle Chair of the LSCB. “It contains detailed Somali model and activist Waris Dirie. FGM in the capital – and author information about FGM, as well as guidelines on how to spot victims of abuse or girls at risk. These include a set In 2001, more than 66,000 women were of questions for midwives to ask women living in the UK who had undergone the attending their clinics. There is also advice on how community groups can procedure of female genital mutilation help to prevent FGM, and information to help professionals discuss the issue with parents and children.” In it, she describes how her mother Ruth Rendell, who campaigns against “This resource pack is wholly took her at the age of five to a local the practice. complementary to what’s already gypsy woman to have her genitalia “The pack is designed for all people been put out there to educate the public circumcised. With no more pain relief who work with children, but especially and professionals on FGM,” adds than a root to bite down on, the young midwives and other health DC Jason Morgan of SCD5, the Child Dirie prayed to God as the woman professionals, teachers, social workers Abuse Investigation Command. “The went to work with a broken razor and police officers,” says Cheryl Coppell, message now is for the people who can blade. Her agony only ended when she make a difference to take the time to lost consciousness. WHICH BELIEFS absorb that information.” More than two million women DRIVE FGM? The guide was assembled to teach and girls still undergo this ritualistic ● Custom and tradition front-line professionals in all London abuse every year in different parts of ● A mistaken belief that it’s agencies, including the Met, how to the world, the LSCB says in the London a religious requirement identify a child who may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) ● Preservation of virginity/ FGM, or has been subjected to it, and Resource Pack. It’s why it has worked chastity measures that can be taken to prevent with the Met to educate professionals ● Social acceptance, especially and ultimately eliminate it. about how to prevent it. for marriage The pack states that in 2001 more ● Hygiene and cleanliness STOPPING IT FROM HAPPENING than 66,000 women were living in ● Increasing sexual pleasure “Project Azure is essentially about the UK who had undergone the for the male preventing FGM from happening,” procedure. It is likely those numbers ● Family honour says DC Morgan. Since its launch, have increased. ● Enhancing fertility For more info, or to dozens of girls have been saved from London has substantial populations download the pack, this form of abuse. Those numbers have visit www.london from countries that practise FGM, councils.gov.uk multiplied dramatically as members of

THEJOJOBB | JANNUARYUARY 22010010

20-21 FGM The Job44.indd 20 10/12/09 09:05:40 Female genital mutilation | Feature 21

FGM FACTS The ages of girls who undergo FGM vary by ethnic group, anywhere from newborn to their first pregnancy. Short-term effects of the procedure can be pain and bleeding and clinical shock. Infections are common because of unhygienic conditions – in some cases the girls die of septicaemia. Long-term effects can include problems with fertility, painful cysts, chronic urine infections and significant psychological damage.

thepu public,blic, and th thee mmedicaledical an andd tteachingeaching TRAINING FOR OFFICERS professions,professions, areare mademade aware of whawhatt The Met is training as many of its sigsignsns to loo lookk ooutut forr.. officers and staff as possible to “As it st stands,ands, the therere is no routineroutine recognise girls who might be at risk repreportingorting for FGM FGM by healthhealth agencies,agencies of FGM. Nationally, further training but it ma y be be thathat thetheyy holdhold thethe greatest is being developed by the National potpotentialential for us us toto getget a proper prop Policing Improvement Agency around meameasurementsurement of whe wherere it is being seen,” honour-based violence and forced sasaysys DCDCM Morgan.organ. marriage, which will include FGM. “Bu“Butt a lolott ooff rreportsepo to the Met have “Any units that deal with these areas beebeenn mmadeade by healthhe professionals, have to be switched on to FGM aftafterer we’’veve heldhel some successful joint because some communities that SIGNS OF FGM tratrainingining and awareness campaigns. practise forced marriage, for instance, The LSCB resource pack Many midwi m ves and health visitors now also practise FGM,” says DC Morgan. features tips on steps to take reportreport their concerns when they meet “So we link in very closely with our if you learn of an FGM case, womenm who have had FGM themselves police colleagues in that respect.” and includes a flow chart for and have female children. For many women it’s too late, investigating the crime. Some “There’s a potential risk to those however, and the lasting effects stay risk factors of FGM include: girls because they’re from an FGM- with them for life. The Met and its ● Level of family’s integration practising community. It’s not that the partners are working hard to ensure in the UK police have to intervene in each of those that more girls are spotted before ● Older females in family cases, but, when we learn of someone, they’re damaged irrevocably, both who’ve had FGM there is a strategy meeting and a physically and emotionally. ● Mention of an extended discussion to work out what risks DC Morgan says: “We only get one holiday, or “becoming there are to that child. chance to save a little girl from this NOS, REUTERS, REX FEATURES PA a woman” “We can then engage with the practice and if we miss that chance, ● Prolonged absence family as to their intentions for her. the consequences for her health and from school It is important that the families general wellbeing could mean that know the full consequences of FGM.” she must endure a life of hell.” EYEVINE, GETTY IMAGES,

JANUARYNUARY 22010010 | THEJOJOBB

20-21 FGM The Job44.indd 21 10/12/09 09:11:23 22 News | On borough

Your monthly round-up of news and events ON BOROUGH taking place across the boroughs…

RY BEXLEY YR HARINGEY Success for Sapphire team Spreading Hard work sees paedophile sentenced to long jail term the word

CASES INVOLVING PAEDOPHILES from East Sussex on an internet Cadets, officers carrying out sex attacks on children dating site and offered her money in are always difficult for officers, but exchange for sexual activity with her make home visits the Sapphire team in Bexley has nine-year-old daughter. THE BOUNDS GREEN SAFER secured the conviction of one such Acting Detective Sergeant Graham Neighbourhoods team joined forces offender after a thorough and complex Hillsdon, from Bexley, says the case with the Haringey Volunteer Police investigation. proved a difficult one to gather Cadets to spread the word about The case was unusual because the evidence for. staying protected against burglars, offender,Patrick Cook from Mottingham, “Some of the women that we following a slight increase in break-ins used dating sites to attract mothers – contacted refused to speak to us at in the area recently. so he could then gain access to, and all,” he says. Four cadets accompanied the abuse, their children. “Those who did speak to us were officers in visiting every home in The investigation began in July 2008 initially very reluctant. Cook’s approach Buckingham Road and the surrounding after a former girlfriend of Cook made was very manipulative and he had told streets in the ward. Residents were allegations to Bexley officers about him at least one of the mothers that if she given home security advice and offered asking to sexually abuse her nine-year- reported him she would be in trouble timer switches for their lights – a old daughter. with the police, too. well-known deterrent for would-be From Cook’s computer, officers found “The women Cook had targeted were burglars. Officers also used the how he had used internet chatrooms to vulnerable in the first place, and they opportunity to get to know the obtain victims. were made to fear being reported to concerns of the people they serve and In one case, he had been trying to social services and losing their children. to boost public confidence by showing meet a 13-year-old girl from Hackney “We had to give a lot of reassurance a strong presence. to have sex with her. Officers traced and make sure the women knew they “We are carrying out regular patrols the victim, who gave them a detailed A/DS Hillsdon, were to be believed. in the area and now each home has shown recently with statement. some of his team, “We were careful not to make any been visited and encouraged to take Further enquiries revealed that says the case false promises about social services, as simple crime prevention tips to help us proved diffi difficultcult CCookook met a single mother hohonestyn was key in getting reduce burglary,” says Acting Sergeant thethese women to speak to us Simon King of Bounds Green Safer anand support the prosecution Neighbourhoods team. “We are keen to tthroughout.hr set up a Neighbourhood Watch “Letting the victims know Scheme in the area and as a result of we were aware of how our visits, some community members mmanipulative Cook was, have expressed some interest. ” wwithout putting words into ththeir mouths, was a big ththing for the investigation.” The thorough nature of ththe evidence gathered by ththe Sapphire team resulted in Cook eventually ppleading guilty, sparing the vvictims the ordeal of going tto court. He was sentenced for various sexual assaults, totalling five years and ten months in jail, with Officers and cadets handed out timers Cook placed on the sex to residents to offenders’ register for life. discourage burglars

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

22-25 Borough News The Job44.indd 22 9/12/09 23:07:22 On borough | News 23

PY BROMLEY GD HACKNEY Met Cadets enjoy Going the extra mile dream trip to US on the front counter Trip across the pond is golden SRO wins praise from bosses after opportunity to share ideas persistence results in drugs seizure SHARING EXPERTISE AND the Los Angeles Port Police, STATION RECEPTION OFFICERS drugs supply and also money laundering. learning from others has and the FBI’s Hazardous (SROs) provide a crucial service to the With the visitor appearing increasingly long been at the heart of the Materials Department and public, creating a place of safety where nervous and wanting to leave with the Met’s success. Continuing in Underwater Evidence people can go in confidence to report evidence, SRO Aslam tried to find this spirit, a group of 34 Met Response team, before crimes. One SRO in Hackney has come someone to deal with the matter. Volunteer Cadets got some spending three days with the in for particular praise from her borough However, the station was very busy at first-hand experience of how Los Angeles County Sheriff’s commander, after her persistence with the time and it was difficult to locate policing is done across the Department (LASD). a front-counter visitor resulted in a someone quickly. pond recently. The group even met some major drugs seizure. “SRO Aslam refused to give up They travelled to Los US police cadet equivalents at Asfana Aslam was on duty when until someone took notice, and used Angeles, California, to visit the LASD Explorer Academy. a man came in asking to speak to an her great people skills to keep the man various police departments in And, of course, what trip to the officer. She guided him to a private engaged and willing to provide the the area and see how they do US would be complete without area of the station for a chat, as she information,” explains Chief things and cope with the a day trip to Disneyland? felt he was acting nervously. SRO Superintendent Steve Bending, different pressures they face. Detective Superintendent Aslam calmed the visitor and, when Hackney’s borough commander. “It was a brilliant trip and an Martin Huxley, Bromley’s he demanded to see an officer, she She finally found a senior officer who opportunity for our young men deputy borough commander, explained she would pass on any directed the Hackney Drugs Squad to and women to learn about says: “Feedback from the information for him after their discussion. deal with the matter. different styles of policing,” cadets and colleagues in LA By showing him her warrant card, Later that day, a warrant was says PC Neill Tully, Bromley’s indicates this was an excellent which she has for being a Special executed and officers seized a cadet coordinator. initiative, strengthening the Constable, she gained his trust and he substantial quantity of drugs. Ch Supt The cadets, aged between bond between the Met and opened up. Bending adds: “This huge seizure was 14 and 19, funded the trip with our law-enforcement Eventually, after a long discussion, only possible because of the tenacity of their own moneyyy.They visited ppartners overseas.” the visitor explained he had information SRO Aslam, who recognised the on an individual who was connected to potential value of this information.”

SEND US JOB LOT AN EMAIL Visit the free small-ad

AT: service at http://intranet. Station Reception thejob@met. aware.mps/DPA/The_Job/ Officer Aslam is thanked for her police.uk index.htm hard work

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

22-25 Borough News The Job44.indd 23 9/12/09 23:07:28 24 News | On borough

JC WALTHAM FOREST PL LEWISHAM New SN bases reap rewards PM drops by of being close to residents with praise Waltham Forest initiative allows officers to Lewisham officer respond more quickly to the public’s needs commended for work BEING PRAISED IS ALWAYS NICE, but ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE SAFER away, which was the case before.This one Met officer received credit of the Neighbourhoods (SN) programme is to put fulfils our Pledge commitment to have highest order recently when the Prime officers in the heart of communities, so officers spending at least 80 per cent Minister, no less, dropped by to talk they can build relations with residents and of their time visibly working in their to him. businesses and tackle local priorities. neighbourhoods.” Gordon Brown was visiting a Two new bases, Sewardstone Road and The teams have made numerous community project in Lewisham when Marlowe Road, have now been opened in arrests since the new sites opened, he took the time to commend Sergeant Waltham Forest to bring officers much thanks to being able to respond promptly Christopher Ellen personally for his work closer to the communities they serve. to situations. with the local community. Ch Supt Mark A few weeks in, the results are already Benbow opens the The Wood Street SN team has already Looking back at the big day in Wood Street base being seen. with Neil Gerrard, held ward-panel and residents’ association November, Sergeant Ellen said: “It was “Officers are now parading from bases Waltham Forest MP meetings in the base’s conference room, fantastic to meet the Prime Minister and in the very heart of this borough,” says and has reported a warm welcome. for him to be pleased about the work we Acting Inspector Craig McCann, from the The Chingford Green and Endlebury have been doing.” Marlowe Road site. “This means they can SN teams, based at the Sewardstone Road • See below for more on officers spend more time on their wards without site, has also been building good receiving praise in Lewisham! having to travel from police stations further relationships with local businesses.

EK CAMDEN PL LEWISHAM Putting wheels in motion Taking pride... Officers knock on doors to register bicycles Simple system will celebrate IN ANY MAJOR CITY, BICYCLE Last summer saw a spate of bike achievements and boost pride thieves are more than just a nuisance; thefts on the Highgate ward, with around they disrupt people’s lives by removing 20 reported stolen. The ward’s officers A NEW SYSTEM IS BEING their preferred means of transport. stepped up patrols and covert operations launched in Lewisham for officers Over the festive period, officers from to try and catch the thieves red-handed. and staff to track the progress of the Highgate Safer Neighbourhoods The door-to-door operation was also commendations and other merits. team helped protect more bikes against a good opportunity for the team to meet Chief Inspector Bill Rogers hass theft, by getting people to register them many residents for the first time and to launched the “Commendation on immobilise.com. boost confi confidencedence in the police . Tracker” as a way for all officers “We’ve been carrying out door-to-doorto-door and staff to view, and take pride Ch Insp Bill Rogers says that officers activities to offer crime-prevention in, the achievements of their used to wait weeks advice on car and bike security colleagues and themselves. to get commended and registering people’s property,” It’s a fairly simple idea, with a says Sergeant Leon Christodoulouu link from the borough’s intranet of the team. homepage clicking through to a spreadsheet tracking The immobilise.com site allows commendations. It can be easily searched, by name or by team. users to create a free private and Ch Insp Rogers, who is the borough lead for Pride, says he secure portfolio of all their personalal wanted to launch a “hall of fame”. property. If it is then lost or stolen “The quality service report (QSR) system is sometimes slow, the information can be used by and officers often wait weeks before their good work is police, insurers and second-hand- commended,” he says. trade businesses, and can assist inn “I felt it was important that everyone could find out what stage recovering the property and catchinging PC Carr and a local their QSRs were at, and this system allows officers to view when the criminals. resident check out their achievement will be discussed at the borough commendation identifying markers on a bike panel and what decisions are made there.”

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

22-25 Borough News V2 The Job44.indd 24 11/12/09 22:56:43 On borough | News 25

FH HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM Munster ward’s amazing turnaround on burglary Former hotspot sees vast decline in break-ins after officers provide anti-theft tools to local residents

MUNSTER WARD IN FULHAM USED TO computers to jewellery. It is invisible to the be one of the most 20 most burgled wards naked eye and cannot be removed. The in London. However, the area has come solution is simply painted on to valuables a very long way in recent times and seen and contains a DNA-style signature that a massive turnaround in burglary rates. allows officers to prove any item’s In fact, borough statistics show a drop ownership irrefutably. When placed under of 43 per cent in the past year. an ultraviolet (UV) light, any traces of the A mixture of operational activity and chemical liquid glow. other initiatives have contributed to the Burglaries have fallen by a staggering positive results, according to Sergeant 59 per cent on those streets provided with Dave Turtle, from the Munster Ward Safer the technology. Neighbourhoods team. He says these “Now that SmartWater has been Prime Minister include a project in which officers brought introduced in Fulham, burglars are thinking Gordon Brown SmartWater technology to many homes in twice about committing crime,” explains meets Lewisham’s Sgt Ellen (centre) the borough. Sgt Turtle. Officers have also been issued SmartWater can be used to mark all with UV torches to use during patrols, to sorts of household valuables, from help identify stolen property.

22-25 Borough News V2 The Job44.indd 25 11/12/09 22:56:58 News and views| Refs 27

Interviews, letters, REFS sport and things to do... Up against the Wall Hadrian’s Wall may have been the limit of the Roman WHAT’S Empire, but three Met officers overcame their limits when they ran its 84-mile length. The mega-run by PCs Shane Green, David Wallace and Craig Basil will benefit 60SECOND ON! wounded servicemen and women. INTERVIEW FREMANTLE MEDIA, REX FEATURES Some of the main PC Green, who spearheaded the adventure, was attractions coming Actor Graham Cole is stepping down inspired by Major Phil Packer, who completed the after playing PC Tony Stamp on hit TV up in the capital… London Marathon and rowed the English Channel show, The Bill, for 25 years. Alternative New despite being crippled by a bomb in Iraq. Both men Year’s Party were in the Royal Military Police together years earlier. Celebrate the New Year PC Green and his friends decided to help Major What was it like playing Does any particular country & western style. a Met police officer for experience of the Met Packer’s Help for Heroes charity by running the length The Good Old Boys are all those years? stick in your mind? five professional of Hadrian’s Wall to raise £3,000. It was just an absolute joy I had a storyline where musicians who tour with “Mentally and physically we were more than prepared other bands but meet up and a privilege. I’ve worked Tony Stamp killed a man to play 50s and 60s for it,” says PC Green. The team ran in eight stages, very closely with the Met in a road accident while at rock’n’roll to the delight taking 30-minute breaks for stretching, sock changes since the early 80s and have work. I really wanted to talk of audiences everywhere. and food, supported by Sergeant Paul Brewster, who benefited hugely from the to some officers who’d been Catch them at the help and support it has through something similar.I Alternative New Year’s followed the route in a van. The team completed the run Party at Bushey Sports in just 22 hours. PC Green says it’s not over yet, and the given me. I’ve spent a lot of spoke to four guys who gave Club on 9 January from team members will be back to set a new challenge for time at Hendon and gone me a really personal insight 8pm to 12.30am. themselves soon. out twice a year on a shift into what it’d been like for Two-course meal included. with officers to see what them. I was able to learn For more information, call they go through, and it has what it feels like to go 0192 324 0857. helped shape the role of through that and it had a big Sail away Tony Stamp and the way impact on how I handled Take a stroll through the I’ve played him. those difficult episodes. London Boat Show, 8-17 January, and fantasise What have you enjoyed Haven’t you been about cruising along the most about working involved in lots of Spanish coast in a 37-metre, tri-deck motor with the Met? charity work for the yacht. There are boats of I’m a motoring fanatic and police, too? all shapes and sizes, plus have always done my own Yes, I’m proud to be part of a marina, at the show. stunts on The Bill, so I’ve the Police Dependants’ Trust From left, PCs Dave Wallace Hopeful seafarers can go spent a lot of time being and the Metropolitan and to beginners’ classes. For and Shane Green, Sgt Paul Brewster and PC Craig Basil the kids, there’s a stage trained on the skid pan City Police Orphans Fund, show with acrobatics, at Hendon, which I among others. It is a way of dance and music. The enjoyed enormously. saying some kind of thanks exhibition is at the ExCel for all the support I’ve been London Exhibition Centre, What do you think given over the years. I very Royal Victoria Dock. A Royal welcome run of the work Met much hope to continue with The hills are still alive Well done to over 70 Met officers who took part in a half police officers do? these roles in future, despite Fancy a good singalong marathon to raise money to support injured Royal I think they do a no longer being part of to some classic tunes? Marines who are training to reach the 2012 Paralympics. tremendously tough The Bill. Then pop down to the job and I have a lot Prince Charles Cinema in All the participants were ex-Royal Marines, now of respect for them. Soho on 29 January at serving police officers from around the country. The 7.30pm. There you can It’s a pretty harsh join your fellow Von runners managed to raise a fantastic £120,000 for the society we live in, Trapp family fans for 60 or more paraplegic Royal Marines injured in recent and Met officers Sing-a-Long-a-Sound of conflicts abroad. The funds will buy training equipment have to deal withthe Music. It’s a noisy and effects of that daily. very enjoyable night at the to help them achieve their dream of competing in the movies, as some people London Paralympic games. The event, which started at My daughter now come in costumes based Downing Street, was hailed a great success. wants to enter the on the film and boo the “I’m proud to be part of it,” says Inspector Mark force and I’m fine villainous Nazis while Scoular, project manager. “Thanks to every one of the with that because cheering on plucky Maria. I know how vital And don’t worry if you’re police officers who gave so much time and effort police work is. a little tone deaf! to support such a worthwhile cause.”

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

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What do you do? What’s the best bit? are put toward helping those I’m a detective constable who The arrest of the suspect and who really need it. investigates crimes that helping the victim bring their involve rape and penetration. case to a positive conclusion. How does it help I look for the best avenues of There’s also a lot of good overall policing? inquiry and progress the case camaraderie in the office. You The creation of SCD2 has put in the right direction. get a fair degree of time to us on the map with the public. It is building bridges between Do you find victims are wary of the police and the people that talkingtoaman in this role? We’re in the we serve. That kind of You’ve got to be careful about recognition can only help the the issues around some of real world Met give the best response it I COULD the victims we assist – they and there are possibly can. may prefer to be dealt with by a female officer. Some of some nasty It’s a tough job. How do you DO THAT them haven’t had a good keep a straight head? male role model in their lives. characters You have to deal with each JOB... They have been abused in case at face value – each one their teenage years, then carry out your investigations is going to be different. You have gone on to be in in a thorough manner. have to go in with an open NAME: violent relationships. But mind – you can be shocked MARK MILDENSTEIN as a police officer you like What’s the worst bit? by some of the details you to project yourself as a There are instances when hear, especially coming out JOB: good and helpful person. you invest a lot of time in of the “achieving best Sapphire investigator So in some cases it can be a someone you believe is a evidence” interviews. It’s a BASED: relief for them to finally come genuine victim, and later you job that we have to get on across a man they can trust learn that they’re not. We with – we’re in the real world Kilburn and is there to help them need to identify those people and there are some nasty when they need it. early on so that our resources characters out there.

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EASY HARD READER OFFERS 5 6 8 5 1 CLEARING 1 7 2 5 3 6 4 3 2 THE AIR ON O2 First of all, we’d like to offer sincere 9 5 6 3 7 apologies to all MetBenefits visitors who went to the website in response OKU 2 6 1 7 8 3 4 9 5 1 to the article about O2’s deals in November’s edition. 8 9 1 4 6 O2 Open changed the offer after the magazine went to print but is still 1 6 3 8 5 6 7 8 4 2 offering a great deal. It has been

BD refreshed to include a better range 2 9 3 4 7 of devices and services than before, covering Simplicity and any Pay 6 4 5 9 7 2 1 9 4 Monthly handset including 8 5 9 8 5 Blackberry, the Palm Pre and the JO iPhone 3GS. It’s available in all O2 retail stores nationwide and provides six discount WHERE IN opportunities so you can include THE your family and friends. LONDON? To find out more, you should visit TOUGH www.metbenefits.co.uk, register and Identify the mystery click the link to the O2 Open website place and email to get your unique code. QUIZ All you have to do then is visit your The Job with your answer local O2 retail store, show them your to be in the draw for CORNER code and get your benefits. a £10 M&S voucher. Clue: Boris’s daily Take the challenge of our SUN AND SAVE destination general knowledge quiz Just by visiting MetBenefits at www.metbenefits.co.uk and clicking and see just how much you on the links provided by Virgin know. No cheating, now… Holidays and Thomas Cook, you 1. Which royal gave birth to can make savings of between 6% Columbus in 1994? and 7.5% on an extensive range of great package holidays. One 2. Within which present-day country MetBenefits member recently saved is the ancient Sumerian city of Ur? more than £600 on a two-week trip to 3. What was the nationality of former the Maldives simply by booking UN secretary-general U Thant? through the dedicated number 4. Which Chinese philosophical provided by MetBenefits. terms mean “dark” and “bright”? 5. Which river forms 1,500 miles of *Terms and conditions apply. the US-Mexican border? See the MetBenefits homepage for full details. 7. Lusaka is the capital of which country? 6. What was the pen name of the Prize Draw Rules 1. The competition is open to all The Job readers, excluding anyone professionally connected with this novelist Marie Henri Beyle? competition. 2. The closing date for the receipt of all entries is 31 January 2010. Only one entry per person. No third-party or Thanks for all your entries in 8. Who wrote The Railway VISIT bulk entries. 3. Responsibility cannot be accepted for Children in 1906? incomplete, delayed, wrongly delivered or damaged entries or November. Nigel Lyons, from the For answers for those not received for whatever reason. 4. Prize must be Specialist Firearms Command, 9. Which Church’s doctrine is set visit The Job accepted as offered. 5. Winner will be notified by post within on the intranet 28 days of closing date. 6. Winner will be the first correct wins the prize for successfully out in the Thirty-Nine Articles? entrant drawn at random by an independent person after the 10. What is a saluki? homepage closing date. 7. Promoter’s decision is final and binding and no identifying Eltham Palace. correspondence will be entered into. 8. Winner’s details will be published in the next available issue.

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

27-32 Refs V2 The Job44.indd 29 14/12/09 09:24:19 30 Refs | Letters

What’s in a name?

MAIL Dear Sir, Being one of the officers who did not receive his 2009 annual pension statement, I contacted Logica to request a duplicate. My details were taken and I was assured one would be BAG sent out. Eight weeks later, having still not received my statement, I contacted them again. I was told that they had my request logged and the manager had decided to send out a ‘job lot’ at the end of September instead of sending out individual requests. This meant I would receive it at the GotG something you’d like end of October. I complained about this and they said that on this occasion they tot get off your chest? would send it out by first-class post the next day. When I received it, the envelope was handwritten with the wrong name. The name on the OOf course you have... actual statement was my middle name and surname, not my first name. The Job and So now I have to ring them again for a correctly addressed statement. WritWritee to us here at This does not fill me with confidence. we’ll try to get you answers! PC Ian Marks, North East Traffic Garage Firstly I must apologise for the poor service you received. Email [email protected] I appreciate this experience will have reduced your confidence in our pensions administrators. Please be assured that our pension administrators do take time to plan extensively for the production and distribution of police officer pension statements. However, I am sure you will appreciate when issuing more than 32,000 statements, there will be a variety of queries. The administrators always aim to provide individual responses quickly, but this year they received nearly 1,200 individual queries from officers. Only about 100 were about non-receipt of statements, Suite and sour but some of the statements were affected by a minor program discrepancy and this resulted in their re-issue. Dear Sir, This action was prioritised and as a result caused a knock-on The current custody system of booking prisoners out for delay in dealing with individual queries. All statements have now interview via the custody sergeant wastes time.I work for been issued and only a few people are still awaiting responses. Hounslow CSU. Here, we have a busy custody suite and it is not I have confidence in the service provided by our pension uncommon to wait for longer than 30 minutes before the custody administrators, but we are always looking to improve performance sergeant becomes available.I know there was grumbling at the time and will take on board your concerns when planning the production we shifted from paper to online custody records because of this and distribution of future pension statements. delay. It seems since that time nothing has been done to change the If you still have any outstanding issues could you please contact system. I have just got back from a career break so if I’m wrong and me directly so I can get them resolved. something’s in the pipeline, then great! Ken Anthony, Senior Pensions Contract Manager PC Emma M Phillips, Hounslow

The priorities when dealing with the movement of prisoners are the safety of officers and police staff, and PINs and needles the safety of the detainee. The Custody Directorate, part of TP Emerald, is working on a number of projects to improve custody processes and the custody Dear Sir, environment across the Met. Project Herald was set up to improve Responding to your letter from last issue (Too hard for a the efficiency of custody processes and professionalise custody card?), as a member of the older generation I could not teams. The project aims to introduce the new roles of custody nurse believe that anyone could seriously suggest that paying for practitioners and 900 designated detention officers (DDOs) by 2013 refreshments in Met canteens with a credit/debit card is a good idea. into custody suites. DDOs are members of police staff, who have I constantly position myself in the shortest queue at the supermarket limited police powers such as taking fingerprints and searching only to find people in front of me who insist onpayin payingg fforor a ssandwichandwich detainees. All DDOs will be specially trained to take on a greater and a bottle of cola with a credit/debit card insteadstead role in booking in detainees on arrival, on behalf of the custody of a couple of pound coins, which would be farr sergeant. DDOs with this training take on the role of a DDO inputter. quicker for everyone than keying in PIN numbersrs Under PACE, the custody sergeant has to authorise the transfer of and waiting for authorisation. Surely the samee will a detainee into the custody of the investigating officer. Although this happen if we have this in Met canteens. responsibility remains with the custody sergeant, DDO inputters will After all, not many of us are ordering a do the associated paperwork. This will free up the custody sergeant three-course gourmet meal for four with wine, to supervise the custody suite and make decisions, speeding up the which might be worth putting on a card, but teaea custody process. DDO inputters are also being trained to complete and a round of toast. custody records. Not everything modern is a time improvement.ment. Further information about this and other Custody Directorate Everybody nowadays has an Oyster card, but it projects is available on the Emerald intranet site. From the still takes longer to get passengers on a bus withth homepage: A-Z > Emerald. two doors compared to a Routemaster. Commander Antony Eastaugh, Organisational Rod Chunn, Team B Capability and Criminal Justice Reform Integrated Borough Operations

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

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A ‘snap’ decision? New wheels for teams Usually in this section we like to run stories about officers and staff who show generosity to causes close to their hearts. Dear Sir, I have recently been informed that immediate capture of But in Bromley recently, a local business showed a bit of evidence by front-line officers (ICEFLO) camera training charity to their local Safer Neighbourhoods teams by giving will soon stop, and any officer will be able to use the cameras that are them a new police car. currently used for ICEFLO. Also overt video filming will no longer be The donation was facilitated on behalf of the Darwin Ward and taught by trainers, but will become a NCALT training package. I have taught numerous officers both ICEFLO and camera Biggin Hill Safer Neighbourhoods teams in Bromley by their competency over the years. We now have the new digital cameras local SN panel. The two teams had been sharing a vehicle, and used for ICEFLO and Westpoint copier, and the technology to the second car will now boost their presence. download the images. Both are expensive and complicated to use. Local businessman Allan White, who owns Capital Car Van Surely officers have the right to be trained properly. and Truck Rental, donated the vehicle. Martyn Weston, RO – Royal Parks OCU “My family lives on the borough and I am a member of the The decision to review the training requirements for local ward panel,” says Allan. “By sponsoring this vehicle we will ICEFLO and overt filming was made following concerns help the surrounding community feel safer.I feel that it is expressed by a number of boroughs and other important for local businesses to work in partnership with the operational command units regarding their ability to meet the stipulated training needs. police and the scheme is an effective way of doing this.” The introduction of the Fuji Instax Polaroid camera as the equipment Judith Cross, Chair of the Darwin Ward Safer Neighbourhood of choice for ICEFLO ensures that both the photographic and evidential Panel, explains: “This is a great example of what can be processes are relatively straightforward and do not justify specific achieved by working in partnership.” training.These processes, together with other issues relating to Sergeant Katey Martin, head of the Darwin Ward Safer ICEFLO, for example the instances when it can be used or consent requirements, are fully explained in the Evidential Images Standard Neighbourhoods team, says that the car will be a valuable Operating Procedure.This takes into account that borough crime scene addition to their resources and will make a huge difference to examiners are trained and equipped to take evidential photographs and the residents of both wards. are available if required, certainly in more serious investigations. “The vehicle will assist in promoting police visibility in our With regard to overt filming it is accepted that a degree of training is still required, however this is more in relation to the legislative and huge rural community, working in conjunction with the foot and administrative aspects of the filming.Thee use of NCAL T is cycle patrols that we currently undertake ,,” she says . an option being considered to meet this training need. It is apparent that a variety of camera equipment is being used by boroughs that would make a “one-size-fits-all” approach to training in camera use difficult. It is anticipated that camera workshops will be made available for those who require such practical instruction. The combination of distancee learning and, where required, practical training should facilitate the continued use of overt filming without compromising professionalism. Allan White Senior Michael Stannard, TPHQ and Junior with Judith Cross Heroic distance for cyclists A class of Met officers is aiming to achieve organise the event, happening on Sunday, the impossible this month: they plan to 17 January, with Class 05/09, Centre bike the more than 3,500-mile distance Towers Croydon. between London and Kabul, Afghanistan, “We plan to start early and probably in a single day. finish late,” he explains. “If you would like Yeah, we had to read that twice, too. to offer some help and support on the day, The truth is that dozens of them will please come down and offer your services be on exercise bikes hoping to pedal in any way you like.” the mileage collectively in aid of Help Virgin Active Health Club in Croydon has for Heroes.The charity helps to provide agreed to lend the team its facilities and better facilities for wounded servicemen equipment for the day. If you’d like to and women. donate, visit the team’s page: “Afghanistan is at the forefront of www.justgiving.com/london-to-kabul Participants will everyone’s minds right now, and Help “If everybody in the Met donates £1 we pedal at a local for Heroes is obviously a worthy cause,” can raise a fantastic sum,” says PC Dyal health club says PC Philip Dyal, who’s helping to “Any contribution will be fantastic.”

JANUARY 2010 | THEJOB

27-32 Refs V2 The Job44.indd 31 11/12/09 22:44:12 32 Refs | Sport SP RT IN F CUS… ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE Club: Ski and Snowboarding Club cross-country. We won it for the third ANY TRAINING AVAILABLE? Open to: All Met officers and staff year running last year. Five of the club We have members who are instructors Runs: All year round represented the whole of the UK at a and some work part time teaching at recent world police ski championship indoor slopes. We recommend that HOW MANY MEMBERS in Sweden. And PC Kerry Turnock won people book lessons with them through DO YOU HAVE? an International Ski Federation (FIS) those centres. In June we usually We have about 90 members and the crystal globe from the FIS Masters hold an open day at Milton Keynes for club has been going since 1985. World Cup, where she finished second anyone who wants to come along to try in her age group. That is quite a high it out. That’s usually £30 for a whole day WHAT DOES THE CLUB DO? standard. There are some other police of skiing. We meet regularly for ski days at the races in America in March, andw wee indoor slope at Milton Keynes – some send a team, though they members go every week while a dozen usually pay for it themselves. or so of us maybe go once a month. We also advertise a few ski holidays HOW DO I JOIN? during the year. Some of the holidays The membership form can that the club has helped organise have be accessed on our website, included trips to Tignes and Courchevel which is on the Met Police in France and St Anton and Kitzbühel Athletic Association website. in Austria. If someone outside the club Membership costs £10 a year. is planning a trip and wants some more people, we’ll ping their email to our WHAT ARE THE PERKS? members and there’s usually interest. We’ve got discounts with some of the ski manufacturers like SO DO YOU COMPETE? Salomon, through which we cann Oh yes, there’s a Police Athletic get equipment at trade price, plusus Association Cup race in Austria every VAT. We also get good deals on year where the Met sends a team to Atomic and Elan skis. People payay Club member PC Kerry Turnock takes compete against all the other forces their membership to us and can to the slopes in in the UK in skiing, snowboarding and save up to £150 on a set of skis.. competition

JUDO GET THEIR KICKS IN NORTH WALES ROWING ON THE RIVER... SORT OF! The Met judo club put in a fine performance at the annual A team of Lambeth coppers proved to be so fit that they won a national judo championships in North Wales recently. rowing competition without dipping a single paddle in the water. Team manager DS Dave Thompson and coach Barry Four officers from Lambeth took part in a race aimed at replicating Carey were proud of their team’s performance. Their 16 the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Boat Race. But there contenders won four gold medals, three silver and four was a twist – it was held on dry land with rowing machines set up bronze over the three-day event. The team is drawn from near the Southbank. The event was to raise funds for ovarian police staff, PCSOs, uniform and detective officers of cancer charity Ovacome and featured four teams of rowers. various ranks and ages. Taking home gold were Mike The distance rowed was exactly 6,800 metres to represent the Chapman with two medals, Tim Jones and Tom Evans. distance of the Varsity Boat Race. The Lambeth officers faced off Following with some silver wins were Gordon Henderson, against a team from Waterloo Quarter. It was a close race, but the Samantha KellyKnd elly Stewart anda Stewart Hyde. Hyd Bronze officers showed their mettle by coming in 16 seconds ahead of the winnersw included competition at 25 minutes and 2 seconds. About £3,000 was Gavin Murray, raised for Ovacome. “The idea was to have a fun event for local people and business Simon Rose, MMark Johnson to get involved in while raising money for charity,” says PC Neil aand also Haggertay, event organiser. “It turned out to be exactly that and GGavin Sibson. a bit more.”

THEJOB | JANUARY 2010

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