I work as a mounted officer with South Yorkshire Police. For many years I’ve run a Twitter account that’s become quite popular – where for most of the time I post videos of our horses out on patrol, getting a nice rub down, or eating ‘mints’ (carrots – don’t tell them!). As mounted officers we patrol the streets, we police football matches, and we’re on the frontline when people riot and set out to hurt others as they did in Rotherham. Our core role is the protection of life and property. We don’t care whose property, or where they’re from. We protect without fear, without favour.
A few thank yous
The riots brought out the worst in some, but the very best in others – there are a few people I want to thank.
Firstly, to our horses. I choose to be a copper; they don’t – so I’m morally obliged to ensure they have the best life possible. No one wants to have to deal with a riotous situation, especially not a trusting flight animal. They, like us, were scared … but they did it anyway. It’s the very definition of courage. Regaining control would have been that much harder without them. So thanks fellas!
Next, the team. The grooms grafting behind the scenes making sure the horses get the right care, a full hay net, clean tack, and a warm bed to come home to. The cleaner filling up our flasks and tidying up our rushed mess. Thank you!
Thank you to the brave police men and women I work with, and the West Yorkshire Police horses who rode alongside us. We were sitting ducks up there on our horses and we all took rocks, eggs, bottles and stones. But we persevered for hours … and hours … and hours. Never a cross word spoken nor complaint.
Resolve and bravery
Thank you for the resolve and bravery of the foot officers who bore the brunt of it, all whilst seeing their colleagues and friends fall, injured and in pain. Massively outnumbered they held. Not all heroes wear capes, but a lot seem to wear blue.
Thank you to the dogs and handlers of the dog section. There really aren’t enough superlatives for the sheer bravery of both dog and handler who exposed themselves to dangers you can’t comprehend, in order to restore order.
Thank you to the other police forces and their brave officers who arrived and supported us, often many miles from home. We saw absolutely outstanding displays of professionalism and valour.
Thank you to our other emergency services who put out the fires and treated our injured, all whilst under threats they never signed up for. Green, red, and blue united.
Thanks to the investigative team who are, and will be for some time, working incredibly long hours doing the painstaking work of bringing offenders to justice. That’s stamina and commitment right there.
Thank you to the command team and control room and communications staff who you’ll never see, but who coordinated and took control of the whole crazy situation. I’ve been there. I know. You feel helpless. You feel responsible.
And thank you to our families who worried about us, packed us up and kissed us goodbye with both fear and pride. We’re ordinary people, with ordinary friends and family who happen to do an extraordinary job. A job really like no other.
The ‘patriots’
Those ‘patriots’ attacking us didn’t realise or care that there are three lions on the heart of every police officer there. All of us try to police without fear or favour. Cut me in half and like a stick of rock, there’d be our country’s flag right there in the middle.
Violence like we saw in Rotherham and all across the country sullies the flag’s meaning.
Unpopular opinion perhaps but thank you to the people who had turned up to peacefully protest the scale of immigration. They offered me water, cleared the glass and rocks from around me, and reassured Foggy. Neither we nor they foresaw a riot.
And thank you to the small team of unseen heroes who entered the hotel, surely against all their instincts, and blocked the marauders with their bodies and shields to protect the lives of those inside.
The riots that shook the nation
To the officers across the country who filled in the gaps left by their colleagues, thank you. They’re still trying to answer the cries of help from people in dire need.
The riots that shook the nation at the start of August were high-profile. They were broadcast to the nation and the public support has been overwhelming. But this is the job we do. Day in and day out, officers risk their lives in dark streets and houses to protect life. There’s no spotlight nor fanfare … often only criticism.
And there’s no safety in numbers when you’re alone at a violent domestic in a kitchen full of knives and you’re faced with someone you know is far more powerful than you. To face that down … THAT’S true heroism. Please spare them a thought and give thanks.
Thank YOU, the British public!
I wrote this the Sunday after the riots, over my morning coffee, with my dog constantly interrupting, eager for his morning walk. So I’m sure I failed to mention someone vital. But the last ‘thank you’ is reserved for the very core of the British model of policing… YOU.
Without you, the public, we simply cannot function. We are you; you are we. We’ve been inundated with kind words and gifts for the horses so thank you all so very much.
I’m off for two weeks now for a bit of R&R with my nearest and dearest. Laters.
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