Patrol officers celebrated across the county

Devon & Cornwall Police are joining police forces across the country to highlight the work of response police officers and the fundamental role they play in policing.

A week of action has begun to recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication and bravery of patrol officers, who respond to calls from the public, often dealing with highly traumatic incidents and confronting criminals day and night.

This week of action is an initiative started by the National Police Chiefs’ Council back in 2022.

Every day across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, a wide variety of 999 calls are received. Patrol officers are often the first to attend these calls for assistance, and for most members of the public, are the officers that come to mind when they think of the police.

Patrol officers must be prepared to deal with anything. From being the first at the scene of what will become a complex investigation or a life-endangering emergency, to diffusing confrontational situations and showing the utmost compassion in upsetting circumstances.  Patrol officers never know what situations they will face and every call is different.

The role of a patrol officer can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding, and over the career of an officer, they can deal with between 400-600 events involving serious trauma.  However, thanks to significant investment over the past decade, officers can access a range of wellbeing initiatives specially designed for their needs.

Devon & Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “Patrol officers are a crucial part of protecting and serving the communities of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the many visitors we get to our beautiful counties and islands.

“Patrol officers never know what calls they’ll be faced with when they come into work each day and no two days are ever the same. They have to be prepared to deal with a wide range of incidents, including complex and sometimes confrontational situations.

“There is a lot of satisfaction from the role of a Patrol officer, but it is also a very demanding job that can often feel unappreciated, which can take a toll on the person wearing the uniform. While this week is about celebrating our officers, we must also make sure they know how and where to seek support when it is needed.”

“Finally, I want to express my thanks to all our patrol officers across the country for the critical work they do and let them know that we appreciate them and their efforts each and every day.”

Policing is a career like no other. Our police officers show courage, teamwork and compassion on a daily basis to make a real difference to our communities. If you are interested in becoming a police officer for Devon & Cornwall Police you can apply now.

To start your application and find out more about the benefits of a career in the police, visit: Recruitment:- DC Police and Dorset Police - Dorset Police and Devon & Cornwall Police working in Partnership (recruitment-dcp-dp.org)