Police Apprenticeship Scheme

Seven young people have been awarded qualifications through an apprenticeship scheme run by Avon and Somerset Constabulary, many of whom have joined the force as full time employees.

The apprentices completed the business administration level 2 apprenticeship scheme, which has been giving young people the opportunity to earn while they learn for over 10 years. The apprentices have now attained a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).

Jake Lambert, 17, who completed a 12 month placement in the Criminal Justice Unit, in addition to his NVQ was also recognised for his outstanding contribution and dedication with an award for 'Apprentice of the Year.' He has accepted a full time position with the force as a clerical officer.

Two others received certificates for successfully completing their second year apprenticeship for light vehicle technicians. They will go on to complete the remainder of their course in Cabot Park in Avonmouth, where they will continue to service, maintain and repair police vehicles.

Assistant Chief Constable Rod Hansen, who presented the awards, said: "Apprenticeships are hugely important for young people, as they offer them the chance to benefit from salaried employment with sector-specific training. These bright young individuals are our workforce of the future and we are very pleased to celebrate their achievements.

"The apprenticeship scheme is a way for us to support the local community and economy, as well as giving us the opportunity to interact with the young people of today – something which is vitally important for an organisation such as ours."

The business administration apprentices completed placements in various departments across Avon and Somerset Constabulary including; Bath and Yeovil Police Stations, the Criminal Justice Unit, Legal Services Department and in the Administration Department at the Force's Headquarters in Portishead.

Many have subsequently been offered permanent positions including Sophie, 20, who has joined the Force as a National Criminal Records Bureau Research Officer and also volunteers her time as a Special Constable.

Sophie said: "I'm very excited and proud to join Avon and Somerset Police as a full time employee. It's been a fantastic year and not only have I gained a qualification but also now secured a really excellent job. My career aspiration is to stay within the force and maybe one day apply to be a full time police officer."

Another apprentice has gained employment as PA to Head of Communications and a further one has joined the HR communications team as an administration assistant.

Vicky Evans, Human Resources Planning Manager for Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The apprenticeship schemes have been such a success that we are looking to expand our apprenticeship programme. In such a tough economic climate we are really pleased to be able to help young people gain the skills they need to enter employment, and also earn at the same time.

For further information about Avon and Somerset Constabulary's apprenticeship scheme contact Rose Tucker, Senior HR Planning Officer, on 01275 816542

Supplied courtesy of www.policeoracle.com

Why we are in Afghanistan

Below is a copy of an e-mail circulating to members of the Conservative Party from the Leader of the Party, the Rt.Hon. David Cameron, M.P. I believe his sentiments are entirely correct.

This week was the seventieth anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. It's a time to remember all those who fought, died and sacrificed for Britain. But it's a time, too, to remember the lessons.

Some of those lessons apply in Afghanistan today. We're fighting a ferocious war and after eight years there still seems to be no end in sight. Our troops lack vital equipment, especially helicopters. Many people want Ministers to explain more clearly what our troops are fighting for. And that anxiety is now really affecting the Government, with the resignation of an aide to the Defence Secretary. It's clear we cannot go on as we are.

We need to make it clear to the British people why we're in Afghanistan. It's simple - to stop terrorism here in Britain. We must help the Afghans to stop their country from once again hosting the world's most dangerous terrorists. So we need to train and equip the Afghan army to root out terrorists, and to support them until they can do this for themselves.

We must make sure our soldiers have the tools they need - more counter-IED capability, more helicopters, more surveillance drones, more heavily armoured vehicles, and more transport aircraft. We must support their families here in Britain, and give every assistance to the injured.

And to do all these things we need one thing more than anything else - leadership. That's something that's been desperately lacking. We've had four defence secretaries in as many years; the last one was part-time and the current one ranks 21st out of 23 in the Cabinet. That's not a great starting point when we're fighting a conflict thousands of miles away. This is a new kind of war, it's a necessary war, and we need strong leadership and relentless focus to explain that to people in Britain.

The lessons of 1939 show that Britain can turn things around in war. Six years of effort later, we won the war. I'm confident we can see success in Afghanistan. I've been out there and seen what a tremendous job our servicemen and women do. It's time they got the right kind of support from the Government at home.

Signed: David Cameron

The Bear - Film by Jean-Jacques Annaud

"The Bear" is an unusually involving film about animals that will give you a fresh perspective on their world. I found this film totally captivating and recommend you take a few moments to view it. It will be well worth the time. The cougar versus the bear!"

Special thanks to my friend Dean Eddy for drawing this amazing video clip to my attention. It has been viewed by over 10.5 million internet users worldwide.

A return to the bad old days?

Police and football club officials are scanning CCTV footage to idenitfy those responsible for mass violence which broke out between rival fans during Tuesday night's Carling Cup match between West Ham and Milwall, resulting in a man being stabbed in the chest.

There were running battles before and after the match at Upton Park and the game was held up when home supporters invaded the pitch after West Ham took the lead in extra time.

At least 10 people were arrested as bitter rivalry between rival supporters erupted into what police described as "large-scale" violence before game in east London.

A man was stabbed in the chest and two others taken to hospital following clashes between hundreds of rival football supporters in east London.

The 44-year-old man was stabbed in Priory Road, just yards from West Ham's ground, before the game. He was said by police to be in a stable condition last night. The other two were last night being treated in hospital for non-lifethreatening injuries. One man was found in Rancliffe Road suffering head injuries, while another was taken to hospital following an alleged assault at a pub in Green Street.

Onlookers described how bricks and bottles were lobbed as hundreds of supporters rioted.

And inside the ground fans fought with police and stewards and play was suspended when scores of supporters invaded the pitch.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said officers were now scanning CCTV footage to identify those behind the clashes."We will be reviewing all the events, looking at CCTV both inside and outside the ground to identify offences and offenders."

The Football Association said last night it would investigate the violence and said anyone involved would be banned from football for life.

A spokesman said: "We absolutely condemn all of the disorder that has occurred at Upton Park both inside and outside of the ground.

"We will be working with all parties, including the police and clubs, to establish the facts surrounding (last night's) events.

"We strongly expect all culprits to be banned from football for life. They have no place in our game."

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola said the scenes were unlike anything he had seen before. "I've been involved in difficult games and things happened. Here, I've played seven years and I've never seen it like this.

"It's certainly not good for football. I was completely shocked. Totally.

"I knew it was a game that meant a lot for the two sets of supporters, but I didn't imagine it like this."

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett added: "I wasn't aware of the stabbing outside the ground. I'm very sad to hear that.

"We've got a passionate game in this country, but when it oversteps the mark then things have to be done."

The fighting started shortly after 6pm as thousands of fans made their way to the ground. One West Ham fan who went to the match said the District Line underground train from Barking stopped just before Upton Park at 7.20pm and did not move for around 15 minutes. "Tempers flared on board as kick-off approached, people tried breaking open the doors," he said. The atmosphere was tense in surrounding streets, the police helicopter was up and riot police were everywhere."

The fan said he saw about 30 police with shields and batons "storm" towards the nearby Boleyn pub.

A 29-year-old man, who runs a kebab shop in Green Street said: "All hell broke loose, it was very frightening. It's not every day you see stuff like that."

National Police Memorial Day

Sunday 27th September 2009 marks the sixth National Police Memorial Day, an annual event that honours police officers throughout the United Kingdom who have given their lives in the line of duty.

National Police Memorial Day is designed to remember every officer killed on duty since modern policing began more than 175 years ago and aims to recognise the courage and dedication shown by all police officers across the UK every day.

As with the previous five years, the Police Federation of England and Wales is working in partnership with the Home Offices and other police associations across the UK to ensure the day is memorable for everyone attending particularly the widows, family and friends of fallen officers.

Paul McKeever, Chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales says,

“this day is a way for the nation to recognise the best of all human qualities – selfless and devoted courage – and the example and valour of those officers who died on duty acts as an inspiration to us all."

I will be particularly remembering a fellow officer from my Police Force, the late Police Constable Dennis Smith of the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, who was murdered on duty at Torquay several years ago now by a crazed gunman who went on the rampage in the town killing several people.

Details of formal events marking National Police Memorial Day will be posted on this blog as they become known to me.

Congratulations to Stephen Wray - my music maestro!

Steve Wray is the 23 year old son of a lifelong friend of mine who lives in Pennsylvania, USA. He has a keen interest in acoustic guitars and recently entered an Accent Music Guitar Solo Contest in Wilmington, Newark, and won second place. His father said in an e-mail to me;

My son Stephen won 2nd prize in a lead guitar contest at Accent Music, where he takes lessons. (a $50.00 gift card) Here is the link to his performance. He had to choose from 8 tracks the song he wanted to play lead to. Then he had to improvise the lead. He got the track list on Wednesday and the contest was Saturday. He did a great job and I am very proud of him.



I too am proud of you Steve. Your father's influence has clearly rubbed off on you! The next time your family put on a Hootenanny may be I shall be there to congratulate you in person. Mark Winfree eat your heart out. You now have serious competition from a true professional to contend with! Well done Steve and keep up the good work.

I want my England!

ENGLAND I think this really sums it all up.

After hearing that many cities did not want to offend other cultures by putting up Christmas lights, so DIDN'T!

After learning that the British Red Cross shops were instructed not to display Christmas decorations lest they cause offence. (A move which cost them my support thereafter.)

After hearing that the Birmingham council changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's licence with her face covered. You try it!

After hearing of a Primary School in Birmingham where a boy was told that for PE they could wear Football League shirts (Aston Villa, Birmingham, West Brom etc) but NOT an England shirt as it could offend others !

This prompted the editorial below written by a UK citizen,and published in a British newspaper.

IMMIGRANTS. NOT BRITONS, MUST ADAPT

Take it or leave it. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on London , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Brits.

However, the dust from the attacks has barely settled and the 'politically correct' crowd begin complaining about the possibility that our patriotism is offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Britain . However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of England being a multicultural centre for community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Britons, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of wars, struggles, trials and victories fought by the untold masses of men and women who laid down their lives and of the millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. If St.George's cross offends you, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.

We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this.

But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our National Motto, or Our Way of Life, I encourage you take advantage of one other great British freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.

We didn't force you to come here. If you don't like it GO HOME!!

You asked to be here.. So accept the country that accepted YOU. Pretty easy really, when you think about it.