This morning, first thing I was in the Head's office at Eggbuckland Community College, then at the end of the day I joined the magistrates association of Plymouth at their AGM.
Eggbuckland school's principle, Katrina Borowski invited me up to the school to look at what is
being done to integrate the school in it's local community and create high standards of behaviour. I went there with my colleague, Chief Inspector Paul Northcott. We were shown around by two students, Sam and Matthew. It was clear this is a school aspiring to and delivering high standards. We discussed ways in which schools and police can do yet more work together for the good of all. We were particularly impressed with schools approach to citizenship and went onto our day's work inspired by the discussion. Plymouth's young people are our future, yes some do act badly, but the vast majority are a credit to themselves, their families and their communities.(funny....28 years after leaving school, it still feels risky sitting in the Head's office!)
During the morning the Senior Management Team of Plymouth Police met to discuss events over the weekend and plan for the challenges ahead. The officers working over the weekend did some cracking work. Considerable challenges after I finished on Friday night. Two of our senior officers ending up chasing and wrestling a young brawler much to the amusement of everybody else! Interestingly the extended licensing hours we now have mean that our weekend night time policing operation now runs through to five in the morning, and on Saturday the team were still busy then.
At lunch time I went to City College. We have some of our PCSO's on a multi agency "Neighbourhood Management" course. They are working with colleagues from the Fire Service and today they were presenting on projects they had completed. Very high standards. We have managed to recruit and retain some excellent people. City College and in particular Sue Atkinson the course manager are providing some excellent training.
Early afternoon, a discussiion with Jill Crumpton & Craig Anderson who have come down from Greenwich Council and Police tp look at our cell based alcohol intervention policy. There are quite a few interesting similarities between Plymouth and Greenwich and we are interested in learning from each others good and bad points.
Later in the day, meeting with Louise Baxter and John Williams of the excellent Street Pastors
initiative. This is going to start soon. They already have 50 volunteers who are going to provide care and attention to vulnerable people out and about in the city centre at night. They are going to start in Mutley Plain then spread out from there as they get more experience. Insp Pete Willingham has taken this on for the police and is pictured (right) with Lousie and John.Later.... down to Plymouth Magistrates Court to meet the Magistrates Association for their AGM.
I had the rare pleasure of sitting up on the bench, looking down into the body of the court. After nearly 30 years of policing, I had never seen the court from this perspective! Very good to meet with the magistrates in this informal way.Just time for a brief spot of patrol on the way back to Charles Cross and an interesting unplanned meeting with a couple of people who had probably been celebrating St Patrick's day too much and too early! It looked like a great St Patrick's night brewing outside Kitty O'Hanlon's next to the court.
With a liberal does of paperwork and emails to fill the gaps, another day of interest and challenge in the City. The main thing, as ever, is the sheer quantity of people who want to deliver of their best for us all.
