The beat goes on... the Met Police is a force to be reckoned with

The police presence during the Olympic and Paralympic Games has been impressive, popular and effective, but after all the excitement is over, the Met’s best will be back to business as usual
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Interviews31 August 2012

Every day at the height of the Olympics, more than 10,000 police officers were on duty in the capital, and many of those are still on duty now, policing the Paralympics.

But when the Games finally come to an end on 9 September, many of those officers — seconded to the capital to boost numbers — will return to their home forces, and the Met’s teams will return to their day jobs, helping to keep Londoners safe.

The majority of police officers in London (around 22,500) work in boroughs, either on the beat, assigned to safer neighbourhood teams or in response cars. 7,300 work in CID, on murder squads, or in anti-terror units, and thousands more are employed behind the scenes in unsung roles that rarely get publicity.

Many specialist officers have been on duty or on stand-by throughout the Olympics and Paralympics. They range from specialist search officers — who scoured Olympic venues so they could be ‘locked down’ before the Games — to specialist firearms officers, and air observers manning the force’s helicopters.

Others, such as plain-clothes firearms officers and detectives, mingle with the crowds in the stadia, watching for troublemakers, or worse. More plainly visible are the dog handlers (including some trained to abseil down buildings with their animals), personal protection officers guarding VIPs, and mounted officers, many of whom form a reassuring line to usher people home after evening events. In addition, throughout the Games there have been motorcycle officers, pedal cycle officers, traffic officers, marine police patrolling the rivers, and the riot-trained cops of the Territorial Support Group kept in reserve, in case of trouble.

However, so far, other than an odd incident such as a man throwing a bottle on to the track before the Olympics men’s 100m final, there has been none. While the police are often the first to be criticised, this time it seems they have got it right. As Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said of the successful policing of the Olympics last week: ‘It was a great advert for British policing.’ Justin Davenport

Jon Taylor, 47, and Lionheart, nine

Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch sergeant

The beat Based at Great Scotland Yard in Whitehall, the mounted branch police the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and are deployed on crowd control at sporting events, concerts, protests and demonstrations.

What quality do you need for your job?

‘Fitness — it’s physically demanding riding for ten to 12 hours on the trot.’

Funniest moment on duty?

‘Working at the Palace, we were told to keep the gates clear because a VIP would be leaving shortly. Five minutes later a Daimler came out with just a Corgi on the back seat.’

Carol Howard, 33

Diplomatic Protection Group firearms officer

The beat Carol works within a Diplomatic Protection Group based in Kensington. The group patrols and is posted to any key places considered to be at risk of a terrorist attack, including embassies.

How many weapons do you carry at one time?

‘Four: the Glock, which is a pistol; the Heckler & Koch MP5 rifle; a Taser; and CS spray, which is like pepper spray.’

Do armed police have a bad reputation?

‘It comes down to public perception. A lot of people who say they’ve had problems with the police haven’t actually had a personal incident, it’s just something they’ve heard about.’

Martin Spirito, 48

Diver for the Underwater and Confined Space Search Team

The beat Defensive or anti-terrorist searches, include searching for drugs, weapons, bombs, even people who have fallen down a manhole.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve found underwater?

‘A vibrating sex toy in the Camden canal.’

Michael Berry, 45

Team sergeant for the Marine Policing Unit

The beat Based in Wapping, the team patrols the Thames by boat, from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in Dartford up to Hampton Court Palace, as well as providing a specialist response to 250 miles of canals, waterways, lakes and reservoirs in London. They deal with anything from unlawful gambling to alcohol-related antisocial behaviour, to dead bodies.

Most memorable encounter with the public?

‘The Poll Tax Riots. I was 23 and a riot officer at the time. I was amazed at how aggressive people could be.’

Ian Holmes, 42

Police constable on the Safer Neighbourhoods team

The beat Ian is based at Belgravia Police Station, providing support to the Churchill ward (Pimlico, SW1). He deals with issues such as antisocial behaviour, drugs and problem families.

Best moment?

‘After last summer’s riots, having people clapping and shaking my hand in the streets.’

Andy Thom, 44

Marine police officer with the Underwater and Confined Space Unit

The beat Any watery area within the M25, and anywhere air can’t circulate freely or that may be contaminated, such as lorry containers, sewers and tunnels. They usually search for evidence relating to crimes, anything from drugs and dumped cash tills to guns and corpses.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve found underwater?

‘A mannequin of a baby and artefacts from the war, including rifles.’

Janice Tuckley, 40, and Red, three

Police constable and general purpose police dog handler, and tracking dog

The beat Based near Heathrow, Janice, Red and the Dog Support Unit cover most of North West London, tackling burglaries and searching for missing people.

Tell us about Red...

‘He’s a German Shepherd and I’ve had him since he was eight weeks old. We live and work together. He’s got a big bark on him if he gets spooked or something’s suspicious but that’s what he’s been trained to do.’ ES

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