Policing Needs Help, by SCCunningham, Crime Investigator

I've worked as police staff for nearly ten years (CID Crime Investigator, Major Crime Team Intel analyst, Wanted & Absconder Unit Investigator, Victim support) alongside uniformed officers dealing with everyday crime. I've noticed the harm caused by the government's budget cuts from a decade ago, resulting in lack of staff and resources to perform the job. Over the past eighteen months, my section has gone from twenty-five officers to two. 

Protecting our borough is unsustainable, communities are not getting the service they pay for, and it frightens me that no one is speaking up. I guess they're frightened of losing their jobs.

Before working with police I had no knowledge of the volume of dangers out there. I’ve now seen the insidious, violent world that officers quietly protect us from twenty-four seven. The violence, abuse, trafficking, murder, rape, assaults, fraud, arson, theft, and all manner of injustices that are out there walking among us, as we live in our comfortable, ignorant, bubbles. 

I’m thankful for the brave officers who without hesitation venture into that world, day and night, often single crewed, unarmed, not knowing what they'll see, whom they’ll meet, what their intentions are, or what they’re capable of, whether they have a weapon, are drunk, on drugs, or suicidal. Whether they or their colleagues will make it home to loved ones at the end of shift. I salute them and all emergency service workers. They're an incredible breed of human who go above and beyond in the service of others. It’s time we defended them.

Civilians and government need to be aware that the service has slowly been run into the ground. The thin blue line is paper thin, tearing. Stations are understaffed, under-resourced, and don’t have the tools for the job. Custody blocks have closed, the courts are backlogged, victims are losing, and criminals are winning (notably, criminals are the first to call police when in need).

Officers are overworked, suffering mental health, and leaving the job in their droves. Coupled with the retired not returning as civvie staff to teach new recruits as they used to, the wisdom is draining out of the job.

Dangers are looming unless things change. It frightens me, I want a safe place for my colleagues, my community, and my grandchildren. Our government needs to be made aware of the negative impact their ill-advised cuts have caused. Theresa May, how can you slash millions off budgets for a service and not know that, even with the best will in the world, it will flounder?

By their nature, police don't normally speak out, they quietly get on with the job of tidying up everyone else’s mess, someone shouts for help, they come running. To enable forces to continue protecting communities, Command, the public, and media, need to stand up, grow teeth, and defend policing budgets. Fight for a strong, efficient, elite, force. One that protects all of us, our country, as it rebuilds, secures, and blossoms in these difficult times. We have enough to worry about without looking over our shoulder at upcoming threats.

To do nothing is enabling the rot.

To those serving officers and emergency services doing their best every day, I salute you. You're holding the fabric of this country together, under pressure, with daily abuse, no thanks, and no support. We don’t know how lucky we are to have you. Seriously... we don't!.

Further Notes;

1)  To those who are looking for new careers (particularly over fifties looking at second careers), you are needed, you have invaluable life skills that can help protect lives. There are a variety of jobs you can be trained for; investigations, casefile building, court liaison, forensics, fraud, finance, property stores, victim support, and many other roles supporting our officers to help them step away from desk admin, and get back to the role of protecting our streets. The work is honorable, you make a difference. Take a look at your local force's website for vacancies.

2)  Re 'bad apple' officers; there is no place for them in our force, they destroy the trust and hard-work of many honourable men and women. But sadly there are 'bad apples' in all walks of life, from schools, politics, religion, royalty, education, celebrity, music, film, entertainment, health, finance, business, etc. The main thing is to source and deal with offenders as soon as possible. 

3)  The public are an important source of intel and help for the safety of our communities, they are valued eyes and ears on the ground. Thank you.