So tonight was the night of our very first visiting speaker. Richard who has been in the Metropolitan Police force for 14 years gave us a very entertaining and informative talk starting from his training days at Hendon Police Training College, to the present day.
Richard told us that his inspiration to join the police came initially from his upbringing, both of his parents being teachers meant he was well versed with what was right and what was wrong. But his other inspiration was Princess Diana and her values in life which he felt were invaluable to becoming a good police officer: compassion and integrity...
Richard talked us through his various appointments in the force, working mainly in the Sutton area, what the different types of policing involved. How policing had changed for the better over the years and how difficult it had become to police effectively with all the funding cuts. Shockingly we learnt that there are only 2 police officers per shift covering the Horsham area.
As well as the gritty stories of London policing there were also some amusing ones: he told us how he'd just finished a shift one winter's night and was driving home when he spotted someone climbing up a ladder and into a window. Leaping into action he yelled "Stop! Police" only to find that said burglar was actually a Santa Claus christmas decoration!
After Richard's talk there was some time for informal questions and where some of our members asked questions on points of law.
And our Treasurer Debs got to try on the helmet and stab jacket!
