The portfolio is handed in.
I’m mere days from being confirmed in rank.
It’s a relief on the one hand; free from the self-induced stigma of the extension, and the oh-so-welcome pay rise.
You’re the first group to gain the NVQ qualification gushed the training staff back in the mists of time when we commenced out training.
Wonderful. I’ve yet to meet any fellow candidate who was particularly thrilled at gaining the qualification, or more importantly ever wanted it in the first place.
An NVQ level four equals something like a foundation degree so I’m told. Another line on the CV should I ever change jobs. But what does an NVQ in policing qualify me for exactly?
Whatever. I don’t care anymore.
Just bring on the pay rise.
Work are cracking down more than ever on using the internet at work; outside of work any murmurings on Facebook and the like trickle back to the station at lightening speed.
The higher-ups increasingly seem to deny we have life other than what is spelt out in PACE.
Seems the public couldn’t care if we get a break either.
Recently I was in a supermarket on my patch. Granted I was on uniformed duty, but I was tired. Hungry.
I parked my patrol car outside and strode into the store to get some refreshments.
Immediately eyebrows were raised as soon as the customers got a glimpse of my uniform. I could almost hear the whispers: Ooo, where’s the shoplifter then?
None here today.
I meander around the aisles and then dutifully I queue up with my coke, sandwich and Kit-Kat. I grab a copy of The Guardian to read in the evening at home.
A couple of twenty-somethings shift impatiently behind me.
What he doing in here? Hasn’t he got time to be out on the streets? One says under their breath to the other.
I turn my head to look at them and bring myself up to my full 6’3” stature.
What I did say, casually:
Sorry, did one of you say something to me?
No, no… They fluster.
I turn back towards the checkout and hear a nervous giggle behind me.
I continue queuing and stride purposefully back out the store.
Mercilessly the radio remains quiet still.
What I should have said:
You try working eleven fucking hours without a break.
Showing posts with label tired. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tired. Show all posts
Monday, December 01, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Close, but...
Barring any major catastophies I'm now led to believe that I should be 'signed off' within the coming month.
Just a few more lines of bullshit on my learning portfolio then a whole host of signatures and that should be it over and done with.
I don't know if I'll ever get the portfolio back into my custody, but I've already realised it'd make a pretty good draft-excluder...
So by 'signed off' I mean - confirmed in rank, and job, as a constable.
Those of you who have followed my story, somewhat muted as it is these days, will note that I haven't had the easiest route to this destination.
Though faults may have been my own, and those of others, my goal is within sight.
Now the question rears its head "What next?"
Just a few more lines of bullshit on my learning portfolio then a whole host of signatures and that should be it over and done with.
I don't know if I'll ever get the portfolio back into my custody, but I've already realised it'd make a pretty good draft-excluder...
So by 'signed off' I mean - confirmed in rank, and job, as a constable.
Those of you who have followed my story, somewhat muted as it is these days, will note that I haven't had the easiest route to this destination.
Though faults may have been my own, and those of others, my goal is within sight.
Now the question rears its head "What next?"
Friday, May 09, 2008
Out of breath
Every single time I come home from work, I do so with the best intention to be productive in the evening, following morning or whatever constitutes the gap between my next shifts.
My well-intentioned plans keep falling by the wayside on a daily basis.
Today I worked from 07:00 through 18:00. I set off for home thinking
“Yeah, I’ll do some learning portfolio work tonight.”
Returning home with 40-min each way commute added onto the already 11hr shift, and not discounting the 30-or-so mins that I voluntarily stayed behind in order to get some of my workload all-square…
Arrive home, cook a meal and then next thing I know it’s slipping past 21:00 and I find myself flopping down in front of a monitor over here, or a television over there with a drink.
And then I really should get some sleep.
Few hours of rapid-eye-movement later and then I simply turn around and head in the other direction.
Or so it feels.
One of the reasons I chose policing, and one of the reasons I do adore this more crazy of jobs, is the fact that no two days are the same. There’s always somewhere, someone, or something new to tackle. If it wasn’t for that fact that I really would be going mad of late.
I mean, how do office workers cope?
I have a spectacular lack of drive out of work; I’m just simply exhausted.
Apologies readers, bear with me...
My well-intentioned plans keep falling by the wayside on a daily basis.
Today I worked from 07:00 through 18:00. I set off for home thinking
“Yeah, I’ll do some learning portfolio work tonight.”
Returning home with 40-min each way commute added onto the already 11hr shift, and not discounting the 30-or-so mins that I voluntarily stayed behind in order to get some of my workload all-square…
Arrive home, cook a meal and then next thing I know it’s slipping past 21:00 and I find myself flopping down in front of a monitor over here, or a television over there with a drink.
And then I really should get some sleep.
Few hours of rapid-eye-movement later and then I simply turn around and head in the other direction.
Or so it feels.
One of the reasons I chose policing, and one of the reasons I do adore this more crazy of jobs, is the fact that no two days are the same. There’s always somewhere, someone, or something new to tackle. If it wasn’t for that fact that I really would be going mad of late.
I mean, how do office workers cope?
I have a spectacular lack of drive out of work; I’m just simply exhausted.
Apologies readers, bear with me...
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Neglect
To all those regular readers, lurkers and those with passing interest...
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I haven't given my blog much material of late.
Thing is, I'm really feeling the strain at work again.
At times, I've felt close to breaking point.
And I'd be lying if I said I hadn't had thoughts about jacking the whole thing in.
Coming home after 10, 11 sometimes 14-hour shifts (often without a formal break), the last thing I want to do is pour my mind out here when I'm at my most tired and cynical.
And what is straining me, is that after the long shifts, out-of-hours I'm expected to work on my training portfolio which goes towards me passing my two-year probation. That I have had trouble with, because at home, or on my days off... I'm simply too tired. However, there's no two ways about it, and if I deep down want the job in the end I'm going to have to do the work, simple as that. Them's the breaks and that's the way it's always been.
So I'm sorry that the joire-de-vivre has gone from these pages of late. Hopefully this is just a brief break in transmission and I'll get my mojo back soon enough.
Just give me a little time.
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing; I respect anyone who has to cope with work stress, both in and out of work.
It shouldn't be this way, should it?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I haven't given my blog much material of late.
Thing is, I'm really feeling the strain at work again.
At times, I've felt close to breaking point.
And I'd be lying if I said I hadn't had thoughts about jacking the whole thing in.
Coming home after 10, 11 sometimes 14-hour shifts (often without a formal break), the last thing I want to do is pour my mind out here when I'm at my most tired and cynical.
And what is straining me, is that after the long shifts, out-of-hours I'm expected to work on my training portfolio which goes towards me passing my two-year probation. That I have had trouble with, because at home, or on my days off... I'm simply too tired. However, there's no two ways about it, and if I deep down want the job in the end I'm going to have to do the work, simple as that. Them's the breaks and that's the way it's always been.
So I'm sorry that the joire-de-vivre has gone from these pages of late. Hopefully this is just a brief break in transmission and I'll get my mojo back soon enough.
Just give me a little time.
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing; I respect anyone who has to cope with work stress, both in and out of work.
It shouldn't be this way, should it?
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Public Order
Extremely busy day today assisting in the policing of a medium-size market town in the throws of a major public festival.
You've got to smile at the logic of a control room though who splits the staff onto two channels - those directly policing the event itself and those assisting. They kept shouting up on my channel for response officers (all, er, two of us) to attend incidents all over town, and more often than not they were sending us to locations mere yards away from the festival route.
"Offender is heading down so-and-so road..."
Right. So the half-a-dozen PSCO's right next door might've been a better option then, rather then getting me to fight my way through town in a response car with half the roads closed.
Ah well. We can but try.
Was thinking on a lonely drive how much I've seen in these eight-or-so weeks since I went independent in March. Dead bodies, house fires, car crashes, blood, vomit, foul language and abuse aplenty. And more often than not - long gawping stares from members of the public acting like they’ve never seen a Police Officer before.
You've got to smile at the logic of a control room though who splits the staff onto two channels - those directly policing the event itself and those assisting. They kept shouting up on my channel for response officers (all, er, two of us) to attend incidents all over town, and more often than not they were sending us to locations mere yards away from the festival route.
"Offender is heading down so-and-so road..."
Right. So the half-a-dozen PSCO's right next door might've been a better option then, rather then getting me to fight my way through town in a response car with half the roads closed.
Ah well. We can but try.
Was thinking on a lonely drive how much I've seen in these eight-or-so weeks since I went independent in March. Dead bodies, house fires, car crashes, blood, vomit, foul language and abuse aplenty. And more often than not - long gawping stares from members of the public acting like they’ve never seen a Police Officer before.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
I guess I don't talk about work that much
But thing is, I come back following a shift and am absolutely shattered.
Take this evening for instance, just rolled in after a 11-hours shift (add 35 mins travelling time either side). The only reason I'm typing this is because I'm patiently waiting for the pizza to cook in the oven.
And the other thing is; following such long and often incredibly busy shifts (often sans break, sans refreshment) I'm quite happy to get back home, shut the door and put work clear out of my mind. I'm in awe of officers like PC Bloggs who pretty much live and breathe the job even out of work.
I'm not posting to whinge, just explaining the lack of excited work-related posts these days.
The novelty of this job has finally worn off.
Take this evening for instance, just rolled in after a 11-hours shift (add 35 mins travelling time either side). The only reason I'm typing this is because I'm patiently waiting for the pizza to cook in the oven.
And the other thing is; following such long and often incredibly busy shifts (often sans break, sans refreshment) I'm quite happy to get back home, shut the door and put work clear out of my mind. I'm in awe of officers like PC Bloggs who pretty much live and breathe the job even out of work.
I'm not posting to whinge, just explaining the lack of excited work-related posts these days.
The novelty of this job has finally worn off.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Greetings from the night
Sorry if I've been out of the blogosphere of late.
Work remains busy as hell, if it's not busy with incidents, it's paperwork-a-rama.
Files. Updates. Portfolios. Tasking. Blaa.
Just returned from a late shift at stupid-o'clock and I'm not quite sleepy yet, so thought I better throw a quick few lines down seeing as it's been so long.
There have been some 'highlights' in the past few weeks however, which I shall endeavour to update you on in more depth when time allows, namely...
Surprisingly I still find myself in a relationship with an understanding, warm and generous lass. I haven't scared her off yet, so something must be going right.
Anyways, in the meanwhile, this should keep you amused if you're bored. I can't wait to see 'Hot Fuzz' on my days off next week it should be uniquely satisfying for me and my colleagues.
Now, to get some sleep perhaps...
Work remains busy as hell, if it's not busy with incidents, it's paperwork-a-rama.
Files. Updates. Portfolios. Tasking. Blaa.
Just returned from a late shift at stupid-o'clock and I'm not quite sleepy yet, so thought I better throw a quick few lines down seeing as it's been so long.
There have been some 'highlights' in the past few weeks however, which I shall endeavour to update you on in more depth when time allows, namely...
- An incident where we attend a chap with mental health issues to remove him to a place of safety. On arrival he's kissing his mum & aunt goodbye, smiling. Then with no warning he turns and punches my tutor. Big scuffle ensues. He gets restrained, arrested and eventually removed to custody, and eventually a secure ward at a local hospital because his 'secure accommodation' refuse to take him back.
- End of last week we find ourselves in a local village around 03:00 investigating reports of suspicious males hanging around parked cars. We turn a corner, see a male doing just that, observe him getting into his car parked alongside. We come up behind him, challenge with blue lights, and he makes off! Chase ensues with tutor doing constant updates on the radio, we head over the county border and by then the local force there take over with high-powered pursuit cars. We peel off and return to base and later get the report that four males were detained from that car.
Surprisingly I still find myself in a relationship with an understanding, warm and generous lass. I haven't scared her off yet, so something must be going right.
Anyways, in the meanwhile, this should keep you amused if you're bored. I can't wait to see 'Hot Fuzz' on my days off next week it should be uniquely satisfying for me and my colleagues.
Now, to get some sleep perhaps...
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Breathe
Surprised. But in a good way.
Daunted. Nonetheless.
But certainly still enjoying it.
The impression I'd got before we started the tutorship, from other tutors and students, was that was that the first few weeks-or-so I'd ease in to it all. A slow pace. Cherry-picking jobs; my tutor would take the lead, with me meerly observing, and hopefully I'd be growing in confidence.
We'll we're certainly not in Kansas anymore.
Somehow, and my god he must be perceptive, but he's making sure I swim just hard enough, in just the right depth of water, so that I don't drown. He's getting me to take on various tasks (under supervision), well before I expected to be doing them, whilst taking the lead still on the more urgent & critical stuff.
I remarked to a fellow trainee only today
"Wow, I didn't realise we'd be spinning this many plates, this early."
And they couldn't agree more.
Today I...
Daunted. Nonetheless.
But certainly still enjoying it.
The impression I'd got before we started the tutorship, from other tutors and students, was that was that the first few weeks-or-so I'd ease in to it all. A slow pace. Cherry-picking jobs; my tutor would take the lead, with me meerly observing, and hopefully I'd be growing in confidence.
We'll we're certainly not in Kansas anymore.
Somehow, and my god he must be perceptive, but he's making sure I swim just hard enough, in just the right depth of water, so that I don't drown. He's getting me to take on various tasks (under supervision), well before I expected to be doing them, whilst taking the lead still on the more urgent & critical stuff.
I remarked to a fellow trainee only today
"Wow, I didn't realise we'd be spinning this many plates, this early."
And they couldn't agree more.
Today I...
- Assisted in prisoner transportation
- Undertook a lengthy witness interview
- Attended a report of youths causing a nuisance
- Rode shotgun - blue-lighting through a busy town-centre
- Read a prisoner his charges, through an interpreter
- Completed oodles of paperwork
- Made my first arrest
- Searched a number of individuals and a vehicle on suspicion of possessing drugs
- Rode shotgun a number of times on a high-speed blue-light run through a busy town centre
- Completed oodles of paperwork
And this is only shift #4.
Shift-work itself is already taking it's toll however. It's doubtless the step-up, before I get used to it, but 07:00 through 16:00 with frankly no real breaks to speak of (only some periods being slower than others), doesn’t half tire you out mentally and physically. Some 15:00 through 00:00's later in the week, and that lovely brain-melter; 22:00 through 00:00.
Body-clock remains MIA.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Nice day for a white wedding...
Departed here just gone 06:00 Saturday allowing me to get a good jump on the southbound traffic and allowed me to rather pleasantly discover a fabulously funky new radio show (because, why else would I be awake at stupid-o'clock on a Saturday morning?).
Whilst driving down the M5 past Bristol, hours later, I get a call from my friend Becky (yes, Bluetooth headset = legal, thankyouverymuch). Anyway, so it turns out she's on the same route but only about 15 miles behind. So, after having slowed to 50mph for a while (anyone who knows my driving will know what an excruciatingly painful experience that was for me), she catches up and we were able drive in convoy the rest of the way. Whilst I arrived in good spirits, she most certainly did not. As soon has her partner was out of earshot she muttered something about "being divorced in a year at this rate" (he was being quite the grumpy bugger), and we continue to have this conversation as we cross the car park to the site of our mutual friends' wedding...
Went to bed in the early hours as the storm front was hitting, the evidence of which was all around on the drive up. Gorgeous cooked breakfast this morning though in the plush surroundings before pointing the car north(ish) for the drive home. Uneventful, if a little slower journey home thanks to the usual god-awful merging etiquette on Britain's motorways. However this did allow for a longer more varied mix of CD's played in the car on the way home; from Madonna's Immaculate Collection through early Coldplay via the latest Faithless.
Tiring? Yes. Expensive? Bloody. Worth it? Of course. As stated previously; they're great friends and I'd do anything, or go anywhere for them. Even Plymouth.
Next up, Christmas.
It's looming worrying close already don't you think?
Whilst driving down the M5 past Bristol, hours later, I get a call from my friend Becky (yes, Bluetooth headset = legal, thankyouverymuch). Anyway, so it turns out she's on the same route but only about 15 miles behind. So, after having slowed to 50mph for a while (anyone who knows my driving will know what an excruciatingly painful experience that was for me), she catches up and we were able drive in convoy the rest of the way. Whilst I arrived in good spirits, she most certainly did not. As soon has her partner was out of earshot she muttered something about "being divorced in a year at this rate" (he was being quite the grumpy bugger), and we continue to have this conversation as we cross the car park to the site of our mutual friends' wedding...
The Wedding itself? Well, a fabulous, if rather expensive venue. Rumours abound of the jaw-dropping price the whole wedding shebang was costing (over 20k!!) - staggering seeing that they're both in in-between jobs and are living with her parents. A little birdie (mate of mine - the best man) even mentioned they'd taken out two loans to finance it all. One memorable day versus years of financial strain ahead?!
But she always did want the fairy tale wedding. And fabulous they did look too; they deserve it, bless 'em. Wonderful people, both mad as Badgers, and that's why they make such a good couple.
Great thing about a civil ceremony as well? They cut the crap. Less readings, no hymns, no dodgy singing. Just wham-bam-thank-you-bride, and hey presto y'married!
Nice reception afterwards; lovely food, good conversation and cute East European waitresses.
The evening 'do'? A 50's jazz band got things going, which was all well, classy and good. However the set went on for almost three hours with very little up tempo stuff. Shame really. So, Strictly Come Dancing on Valium it was then.
So the DJ sets up next, one would have thought to get the party started in a Pink sense. Ah, no. She proceeds to spin records one after the other which surely must have been picked from some Channel 4 'worst records of all time' list. Most of us sat staring into our drinks, aghast, and even the bride & groom looked a little embarrassed when the second Black Lace tune of the night was played. Cheesy? Well of course it's meant to be, it's a wedding for crying out loud. But no need to tip the scale into vintage Camembert...
A minor shame to end such a wonderful day in a bad Peter Kay sketch sort of way. However, this did allow plenty of time to chat (or at least try to chat with my still-hoarse voice), to friends old & new. Apparently many tip me the next in the circle of friends to get married, out of the three remaining bachelor candidates. I can't say I'd put a bet on myself though. I known Albatrosses with busier love-lives, I'm embarking on a career with incredibly unsociable hours and my all-round self-confidence plums new depths. So no, I don't see it myself.
Went to bed in the early hours as the storm front was hitting, the evidence of which was all around on the drive up. Gorgeous cooked breakfast this morning though in the plush surroundings before pointing the car north(ish) for the drive home. Uneventful, if a little slower journey home thanks to the usual god-awful merging etiquette on Britain's motorways. However this did allow for a longer more varied mix of CD's played in the car on the way home; from Madonna's Immaculate Collection through early Coldplay via the latest Faithless.
Tiring? Yes. Expensive? Bloody. Worth it? Of course. As stated previously; they're great friends and I'd do anything, or go anywhere for them. Even Plymouth.
Next up, Christmas.
It's looming worrying close already don't you think?
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
I can't get no sleep
Six days in a row at work; I'm whacked out and sick of the sight of those walls. I appreciate this is a breeze compared to what I'll go through shift-wise in the Police, but six days straight of the general retail public is more than enough right now thank you very much. Strangely though I'm wide-awake still convincing me that my genes are, and always will be, part-Owl.
Thankfully I have a day off tomorrow, though it's going mostly to be mostly spent visiting garages due to some indiscriminate vandalism of my car on Friday night. No idea why; seemingly the wrong place at the wrong time. Why not the flashy Volvo a few space up, eh guys? Shame really as it spoiled what was otherwise a really good night out. Curry followed up by a Guinness. Globalisation has its benefits.
Boy am I looking forward to getting hold of some of these wankers and shoving them in cells though. I could almost understand someone breaking a side window to steal, but just vandalising because you can and you're pissed up. Yeah, very big and clever. Roll on June.
Anyway I'm off to read myself to sleep. Currently ploughing through John Twelve Hawks' The Traveller. It's a good fun thriller, does exactly what it says on the tin, but is unlikely to change the face of literature any time soon. I wanted something lighter after reading plenty of non-fiction of late.
Right, I best turn this thing off. Warm covers, pages and the stillness of the midnight hour awaits.
Thankfully I have a day off tomorrow, though it's going mostly to be mostly spent visiting garages due to some indiscriminate vandalism of my car on Friday night. No idea why; seemingly the wrong place at the wrong time. Why not the flashy Volvo a few space up, eh guys? Shame really as it spoiled what was otherwise a really good night out. Curry followed up by a Guinness. Globalisation has its benefits.
Boy am I looking forward to getting hold of some of these wankers and shoving them in cells though. I could almost understand someone breaking a side window to steal, but just vandalising because you can and you're pissed up. Yeah, very big and clever. Roll on June.
Anyway I'm off to read myself to sleep. Currently ploughing through John Twelve Hawks' The Traveller. It's a good fun thriller, does exactly what it says on the tin, but is unlikely to change the face of literature any time soon. I wanted something lighter after reading plenty of non-fiction of late.
Right, I best turn this thing off. Warm covers, pages and the stillness of the midnight hour awaits.
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