REPS SPOTLIGHT
ON THE FRONTLINE AND BEYOND
Sergeant Aaron reflects on the duty, responsibility, and compassion that define his work in aviation policing and Federation support
the face of the force at the airport. I’m the first police officer visitors to our country will see, and that comes with a level of trust and respect.” Aaron says that
although he was able to apply much of his prior police knowledge as he settled into the role, aviation policing presented its own distinct learning curve. His responsibilities include responding to aircraft accidents, safeguarding vulnerable passengers, and handling extra- territorial offences committed by UK residents as they arrive back on English soil. “Those are just some
Thanks to his unique role within the force, West Midlands Police Federation’s Deputy Chair and Treasurer Aaron Bell was well accustomed to supporting people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives even before he volunteered as a workplace representative. With 23 years of policing experience behind him, Aaron has served in a range of demanding positions including response, custody, and the crime safety bureau, working in areas such as Queens Road and Sutton Coldfield, and policing match days at Aston Villa and Birmingham City football clubs. He is a senior officer in an airport policing team, leading West Midlands Police operations at Birmingham Airport. “I started in this role in 2017 and, I have to say, it’s been one of the best periods of my career,” Aaron said. “It’s a one-of- a-kind job, it is privately funded but I am
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of the tasks I have,” he added. “Every decision I make has a huge impact that can be on people’s immediate safety, both on the ground and in the air, and also on people missing their holidays and
finds most challenging, and also most rewarding, is attending support meetings with officers who, for a variety of reasons, are struggling to meet the demands of the force. These difficult conversations have, he says, been eye-opening, revealing that not everyone in policing finds the role that fits them best. “From my perspective, I want to ensure these meetings are not disciplining officers. Instead, it should be about helping them by understanding why they are currently not able to deliver the level of service they would want to,” Aaron explained. “It comes with the territory that many of these officers are considering leaving the Force, so what I really like is when I can help to reverse that decision. While it’s not always possible, there are thousands of jobs in West Midlands Police, and I often tell these people, “let’s find the right one for you”.” Aaron’s motivation to become a
“Every decision I make has a huge impact that can be on people’s immediate safety, both on the ground and in the air.”
connecting flights, for example. It is a big responsibility that I can never take lightly and one I am proud to hold every day.” While building his career in aviation policing, Aaron also decided to extend his support to colleagues by becoming a Federation workplace representative. Stepping into the role five years ago, he has helped countless members with both work and personal issues. What he
Federation rep stems from the support he received earlier in his career when he faced a complaint. Although the experience was challenging, it left a lasting impact. “Despite the difficulty it caused, this incident is firmly in the past for me, all I hold onto is the support and advice I received from the Fed that made me want to give something back,” he said.
His airport role has only strengthened his understanding of high-pressure situations. Few environments match an airport for stress levels, and Aaron has become well-versed in managing tense public interactions. “They may sound a bit less serious than other responsibilities I have touched on, but another big part of the job is keeping on top of hostile moments,” explained Aaron. “People can turn into someone else at an airport and end up lashing out, even those who would never usually be
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