LONG COVID
SERVICE TAKES MANY FORMS
Raymond Blinco’s life was changed forever by Covid. Unable to return to frontline duties, he thought his police career was over, but an important new role has proved to be just the boost he needed
Raymond Blinco joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 2018, starting out as a response team officer before moving over to a Safer Neighbourhood Team in Hillingdon. In April 2020, just two years into his
career, Ray contracted Covid. As a result, all of his major organs were damaged and he suffered a stroke. He has also been left with a permanent heart condition. Despite the trauma of the virus and the lasting damage it has caused to his body, Ray has remained positive, helped by his colleagues. He has spoken to POLICE Magazine about his experience and the support and care that his force showed him in his darkest time. “It’s true what they say, that the police is
to get through this and feel that there was light at the end of the tunnel. “Life has changed for me both at work and at home. After more than a year spent off sick, I’m back to work but obviously due to my health conditions, ongoing recovery, and medication, going back on the streets has to take a back seat for a while. This was really hard to accept at first, but I asked myself how else can I carry on helping
“I was recently invited to Westminster Abbey for a service of remembrance and recognition for the Metropolitan Police Service. I was honoured to be invited to such an event and felt overwhelmed with emotion, especially talking with the families who had lost their loved ones. They showed such immense courage and I felt so humbled to be in their company,” Ray added.
“I feel so privileged
“It’s true what they say, that the police are your second family. When I was in hospital, I had messages and calls from my colleagues all the time, checking in and helping boost my morale”
and protecting the public. That is, and has always been, my priority. “A friend of mine suggested I transfer
your second family. When I was in hospital, I had messages and calls from my colleagues all the time, checking in and helping boost my morale,” Ray said. “I had missed both of my children’s birthdays, being unwell, and this was desperately upsetting for me. The support from my police family helped me
46 | POLICE | DECEMBER 2022
over to MetCC in Hendon, as it is a great way to still be protecting and serving the public by being the first point of contact when they need us. I took his advice and it has been the best thing I have done. I feel I am making a difference and am still doing the job I love the most, just in a different way.
and lucky to still be here, and I honestly cannot thank the Met and my colleagues enough for their amazing support and kindness through it
all. Being unwell and off work for so long made me feel really worried about my future in policing, but I have constantly been reassured and put at ease about everything. “The job can be hard, but it is the most rewarding job in the world and you work with the best people. When you join the police, you join a family and this family really came through for me when I needed it the most.”
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