Reality bites by The Blue Light Run

Reality bites

written by The Blue Light Run on the 15^th June 2010 at 17:01 - Posted in Police Blog

The reality of policing is that you never know what's around the corner. This is what makes the job so challenging and ultimately so rewarding. If you don't like surprises, then don't join the police were the wise words of my old tutor. These words still ring true, from the ridiculous and bizarre to the downright dangerous, life as a bobby has a habit of grabbing you by the seat of the pants and hurling you face first into the furore.
I had a moment last week where I had cause to rethink my actions and to question myself. To cut a long story very short I chased a man through three gardens, over two fences and came face to face with him when he ran out of escape routes. A scrap ensued, we both ended up in rather large bush clawing at each other, trying to gain the upper hand. My radio was now on the floor, my asp still just about in my grip. My CS was out of reach...my only real weapon was harsh language accompanied by various palm and elbow strikes. In the end my partner applied CS spray to both of us in an effort to control the situation. It worked, although rather too well in my case as it knocked me for six and at best I could only offer token assistance to the handcuffing procedure.
So, why the chase? What was I thinking?

Reports had come in of a male walking down the street brandishing a knife. The description was of an asian male in his early twenties. As the report came in my partner and I were a minute away. As we turned a corner a male matching the description was walking towards us, a large kitchen knife in his right hand. He stopped. We stopped. He then ran and we both gave chase. The last thing on my mind was calling in a taser team (they were in another part of the division). By the time our scrap started, there was no sign of the knife. Turns out he ditched it two gardens back (recovered), for which in hindsight I am eternally grateful.
When I got back to the nick my sergeant tore me 'a new one', wanting to know why I had chased an armed suspect, why I didn't wait for backup. To be honest I also wanted to know the answer, the repurcussions to me and my family were immense. In all honesty I don't know why I did what I did. Tasers, dogs and helicopters are available, provided you could wait. Unfortunately I felt I could not stand around waiting for anyone, not with a potential mad man walking around with a knife in my town. Isn't that why we joined up? My sergeant now thinks I'm reckless. Can't win them all, eh?

To date I haven't told my wife the full story, I'm sure she would force me into a cosy little desk job somewhere.

-- Post From My iPhone

Latest The Blue Light Run Police Stories

Wake up call.
La fin
Not another statistic thank you.
999, what's your emergency?
999, what's your emergency?

Reality bites

Similar Stories

Latest The Blue Light Run Police Stories

About