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A Growing Family

The Spirit of Friendship in Staff Aidan Goundry Growing up in a police family meant that from a young age I had always wanted to join the police and follow in my father’s footsteps. As a family we also attended police events in the USA, and the wonderful hospitality we received from officers there has remained with me to this day. S adly, in my teens it became clear that due to my medical condition, I could not become a Constable, which was a huge disappointment. To my delight, the role of Police Community Support Officer was at Gimborn on Evidence Based Policing. I have also been lucky enough to make friends around the world, travelling to Macao, Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as some of the less unusual ones like Poland, Spain and Greece. To date I have visited seventeen different Sections, and hope to visit many more in the future.

created shortly after, and it was perfect for me in every possible way. After leaving university, I was successful in gaining a post as a PCSO, fulfilling my dream of becoming part of the police family in my own right. Two years into my service I learnt about the IPA, and was amazed that I had not heard of it sooner. As an Association it represents everything I love about the police, with travelling thrown in too. I was thrilled to learn that the membership rules had recently been extended to allow staff to join as well, not just warranted officers, and so naturally I signed up. Having the means to meet colleagues around the world is fantastic, and here began my obsession with patch collecting. In three years I became both Branch and Regional Vice-Chair, working with my Chief Officers to try and raise the IPA profile. I have attended two National Council Meetings, and at Coombe Abbey I even ran for a National post. I have taken advantage of every opportunity I can; the Seminars, being involved with Young Police Officer Seminar in Stirling, and a course

The UK is quite unique in how many police roles are filled by civilians, even some on the frontline like me. We give just as much dedication to the job as our sworn colleagues, so it is hugely gratifying that Section UK decided to take that step in acknowledging us, encompassing our entire family and showing its true spirit, that of friendship. Hopefully more of our International friends will soon follow suit.

PCSOs and Police Officers at Fox Rd

POLICE WORLD Vol 65 No.2, 2020

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