OPINION A CALL FOR CHANGE


Siobhan Cunningham offers her heartfelt thanks to our hardworking officers and shares what she has learned as a civilian investigator


I am a member of police staff and for the past decade, I have worked as a CID, PIP 1 Crime Investigator alongside uniformed officers. Once my daughter finished university, I


moved to the coast after working in London for most of my life. I wanted to write books, but I needed a part-time job to pay the rent, so I took a short-term contract at my local police station. My job was to keep victims updated within the investigation unit. Soon, I was trained up and working as a full- time civilian investigator.


I went from wanting a quiet life by the coast, writing mysteries, to being in the thick of crime, catching criminals. Our biggest priority is safeguarding;


protecting those involved as much as we can. If a file is going to court, we are now the officer in charge throughout its journey, which can take at least a year. Before budget cuts, we had dedicated case file builders to deal with the paperwork. Now, this paperwork takes officers off the streets where they can protect the public. We are missing their presence, particularly in


36 | POLICE | DECEMBER 2022


smaller villages. Police staff are an important back-up to officers on the ground, enabling them to get on with policing – now, more than ever, they are desperately needed. We civilian staff have proved our value and now is the time to champion recruitment. The public need to be aware that there are jobs for them within the police, that they will be


making me live within the rules. I had no knowledge of the dangers or what police actively do to keep me safe. For the past decade, I’ve stepped over the blue line and have been shocked at the world behind it – a world that the police quietly protect us from 24/7 – violence, abuse, trafficking, murder, rape, assaults and injustices. I am thankful for the brave officers who walk into that dark world, not knowing who or what they will encounter, or if they or their colleagues will make it home at the end of a shift. All emergency service workers are incredible humans who go above and beyond in the service of others. Civilians need to know what is happening to our police force. Our police service has slowly been


“I’ve stepped over the blue line and have been shocked at the world that the police quietly protect us from 24/7”


trained and that they bring important skills, no matter their age or experience. The most rewarding part of my job is helping people. Even if I only offer a gentle word of support, I hope they feel listened to and know they’re not alone. So many officers share those values and have good hearts. You don’t get into policing for the money, you do it to protect the vulnerable and help save lives. Before this job, I took the police for granted. They were the annoying headmaster at the back of my mind,


run into the ground. The thin blue line is paper thin and tearing. Stations are understaffed, under-resourced, and don’t have the tools for the job. Many have been closed, along with custody blocks. Courts are backlogged, victims are losing and criminals are winning. Overworked officers are suffering with their mental health and leaving the job in droves. Communities are not getting the service they need. The government needs to be aware of


the realities of policing and hear the truth. I can see the dangers looming unless things change. I want a safer place for my colleagues, community and grandchildren. I am grateful that the Federation fights policing’s corner for the funding and resources needed for a strong, protected, successful police service – one of the best in the world. I thank the Federation and serving officers who do their best every day. You hold the fabric of this country together, often with no thanks or support. We don’t know how lucky we are to have you.


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