PW_3_2019

Article

Lexington’s Finest Rob Weaver , Gloucestershire Branch On a visit to Kentucky, Rob Weaver experienced a very different style of policing to his Royal Household Protection duties. D uring a visit to Lexington, in Kentucky , USA, I was lucky enough to spend a shift out on patrol. At the 7 AM Parade, I was

I was treated to lunch at Double H BBQ, where I chose a succulent and tender brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries. The meat was so delicious you could literally taste the smoke in every bite. I highly recommend trying some BBQ if you ever find yourself in that part of the world. A few more calls about domestic assault and someone with mental health issues walking in traffic brought us to 4 pm and time to book off. I have been a response officer in England for 10 years, so I don’t know why it surprised me that policing is almost exactly the same across the pond. The differences lie in the investment they make in uniform, kit, firearms and vehicles. I was pleased to see that morale in the Lexington Force was generally very high. Officers did not appear overstretched; they enjoy going to work and are trusted in their decision making. I am extremely grateful to Lexington Police Department for allowing me out on a ride along, and also the IPA for being so efficient about progressing my travel request.

I was impressed by the in-car laptop computer which mimics everything on a desktop, making everything seem easy; from writing statements and creating crime reports, to running checks on vehicles, people and property. Between the front and rear seats is a Perspex screen protecting officers from anyone sitting on the wipe-clean rear seating. This makes the transport of less- desirable prisoners a lot safer, and also much easier to keep the car hygienic. The Interceptor models are large, powerful cars with plenty of room inside, making them comfortable to patrol in all day. They are definitely fit for purpose. Next, we were dispatched to a call about an intoxicated woman causing problems in a sandwich shop. There were around 30 patrol officers on duty that morning, so there was always plenty of backup, which, in a State where a resident can carry a concealed firearm, was nice to know. The woman was arrested for public intoxication and taken to the local jail, which after a tour, I was extremely glad to leave and see natural light again. These American jails should fill anyone with dread about being locked up.

met by a steady influx of Officers who arrived fully kitted, in their department-issued marked Interceptor cars. They take their marked cars home and can drive them off duty. Apparently, this decision was welcomed by the Officers and community alike, as it cuts down personal mileage expenses, as well as the community seeing more cops driving around town. After briefing, I was introduced to Ryan, from West Division, and our first call of the day turned out to be a bit of a recurrence throughout the morning; an alarm sounding at a business premises. These all ended up being either set off in error by staff, or faults with the line. We stopped for breakfast at a fried chicken place, where, in Kentucky, eating deep-fried chicken sandwiched between American biscuits and washed down with iced tea seemed the most normal thing in the world. After breakfast, Ryan showed me the kit he carried in his car. Along with the usual road signs, cones, police tape, first aid kit etc, is a personal issued carbine and ballistic body armour.

Meeting the Mounties Dave and Ann Wilkins Top of the wish list for our holiday in Canada was to meet the Mounties. We contacted the IPA for assistance and, in no time at all, we received three replies and spent two instructive and enjoyable days with Karen Frost, Jan Tikkerts and Mike Lui. A fter riding the Skytrain from Vancouver to Royal Oak, Burnaby , we were met by Karen, who took us to a lunch

We had each been given a raffle ticket on entry and this was drawn after our meal. Ann won a bottle of wine, while I won a framed $50 note labelled “Break glass in emergency”. This had been donated by Ron Amiel, a retired policeman, who was delighted that his gift was going to England. It now hangs on our sitting room wall, where it will hopefully be a talking point for some time to come. After lunch, Karen drove us back to Vancouver for a Grand Tour of the city. We visited the waterfront, where the Olympic Flame resides, then onto Stanley Park. This was surprisingly big and was dressed in spring flowers. The trees were also quite magnificent. That evening, we stopped at a waterfront restaurant and met Jan Fikkert, another retired policeman, for a pleasant and chatty meal. Karen finally returned us to our hotel, after a very interesting day.

The next day we again caught the Skytrain, this time to King George station in Surrey, a distance of about 40 miles. We were met by Mike Liu, a serving Mountie Officer. He drove us to the British Columbia Mountie headquarters, which is the largest detachment in Canada and the headquarters for the Province. As it was Good Friday, there were very few people about, so we could dally over the exhibits on display. There was a display of uniforms through the years, a roll of honour and several cases of memorabilia. We saw the control room, their working offices and met a Mountie in his working kit. He had to carry a surprising amount of kit, which must have weighed a fair bit. I was even allowed to check out a patrol car. We had a fantastic day, with a very friendly guide. We are most grateful to Karen, Mike and Jan, for making our stay in Vancouver so special.

party with about 200 first responders from all the emergency and police divisions. We were welcomed by Sergeant Brian Honeybourn and sat with Mike Toddington, his wife Janet, and two of their friends. Mike originally came from Norfolk, before emigrating to Canada. We enjoyed a good gossip and were really made to feel at home, as quite a few others were also of British origin.

10

POLICE WORLD Vol 64 No.3, 2019