In the 1980s Barry started Training as a Regular Police Officer. He had spent some time as a Special Constable, but had made the decision to change his whole life after thinking very deeply about his future.
So, after succeeding in actually being accepted by Essex Police, he set off for the District Training Centre in Kent to learn his new profession.
On the way to learning how to be a Regular Police Officer he not only had to overcome the stress of learning the Law and the practicalities of being a Police Officer; but also those Trainers at the Training school who thought he was too old, unsuited and unfit for the job. He had twice to prove them wrong before he was allowed to continue with his chosen career.
This book takes you on from the last book where Barry was just beginning his time at the Training school, and moves through the Training, and onwards to the beginning of his life in the real world at his new Police station, Basildon, in Essex; reputedly one of the most interesting places in Essex to Police.
Barry learns the mental stress of delivering ‘agonies’ , messages where the Police tell relatives that someone has died. The physical toughness of dealing with ‘drunks’ who are bigger than you are, and the old style Public Order Training. Ironically, just before the whole concept changed because of the rioting in London.
It speaks of the humour of the ‘Dining in’ night where he nearly had to sit with all the Senior Officers instead of with his friends, and the final parade, where he has to face his greatest marching test, marching out onto the parade ground in front of all the families and VIPs.
And, of how he could have lost his job before he had really started, as one of his enemies tried to ruin the whole parade; and Barry was goaded to retaliate, but was saved by his classmates.
Barry then arrives at his new posting, where he is immediately identified as the ‘grandad’ of the shift, the oldest tea maker in the whole Police station. He receives his welcome from practically every Senior Officer present before meeting his mentor who should show him the ropes, but in reality drives him nearly mad with boredom.
Then onto the shift to meet his new colleagues who are astounded at how old he is, but welcome him anyway. How he is introduced to the paperwork which will form so much of his Police work before being allowed out on solo patrol on nights.
Solo patrol, sometimes frightening, sometimes routine, but always interesting. It allowed Barry to literally explore the Town centre. Round the front of the shops, then the back, onto roof and all his playground. Thinking like a burglar, trying to get into the premises and checking nothing was amiss. Follow the story as Barry has fun in, over, around, and behind the shops, always looking for ways into the premises. How he frightens a keyholder, who cannot believe that anyone can get into the locked shop.
How he started to earn his acceptance and reputation when he makes his first arrest after a chase, only to find his manacles result in more of a fight than he would otherwise have had if he had owned some handcuffs. How his colleagues laugh at his manacles but praise him for his efforts.
Come with Barry as he moves from knowing nothing, into knowing something, and finding out if he can cope with the job of being a regular Officer. Will his nerve hold, or will he walk away? Read the book and find out, see his highs and lows as he struggles to learn so much in such a short time.
So, after succeeding in actually being accepted by Essex Police, he set off for the District Training Centre in Kent to learn his new profession.
On the way to learning how to be a Regular Police Officer he not only had to overcome the stress of learning the Law and the practicalities of being a Police Officer; but also those Trainers at the Training school who thought he was too old, unsuited and unfit for the job. He had twice to prove them wrong before he was allowed to continue with his chosen career.
This book takes you on from the last book where Barry was just beginning his time at the Training school, and moves through the Training, and onwards to the beginning of his life in the real world at his new Police station, Basildon, in Essex; reputedly one of the most interesting places in Essex to Police.
Barry learns the mental stress of delivering ‘agonies’ , messages where the Police tell relatives that someone has died. The physical toughness of dealing with ‘drunks’ who are bigger than you are, and the old style Public Order Training. Ironically, just before the whole concept changed because of the rioting in London.
It speaks of the humour of the ‘Dining in’ night where he nearly had to sit with all the Senior Officers instead of with his friends, and the final parade, where he has to face his greatest marching test, marching out onto the parade ground in front of all the families and VIPs.
And, of how he could have lost his job before he had really started, as one of his enemies tried to ruin the whole parade; and Barry was goaded to retaliate, but was saved by his classmates.
Barry then arrives at his new posting, where he is immediately identified as the ‘grandad’ of the shift, the oldest tea maker in the whole Police station. He receives his welcome from practically every Senior Officer present before meeting his mentor who should show him the ropes, but in reality drives him nearly mad with boredom.
Then onto the shift to meet his new colleagues who are astounded at how old he is, but welcome him anyway. How he is introduced to the paperwork which will form so much of his Police work before being allowed out on solo patrol on nights.
Solo patrol, sometimes frightening, sometimes routine, but always interesting. It allowed Barry to literally explore the Town centre. Round the front of the shops, then the back, onto roof and all his playground. Thinking like a burglar, trying to get into the premises and checking nothing was amiss. Follow the story as Barry has fun in, over, around, and behind the shops, always looking for ways into the premises. How he frightens a keyholder, who cannot believe that anyone can get into the locked shop.
How he started to earn his acceptance and reputation when he makes his first arrest after a chase, only to find his manacles result in more of a fight than he would otherwise have had if he had owned some handcuffs. How his colleagues laugh at his manacles but praise him for his efforts.
Come with Barry as he moves from knowing nothing, into knowing something, and finding out if he can cope with the job of being a regular Officer. Will his nerve hold, or will he walk away? Read the book and find out, see his highs and lows as he struggles to learn so much in such a short time.
