News article from Councillor Sue Gerrard

On the evening of 3rd October this year, I took a friend and colleague to the Leicestershire Police Headquarters Open Evening. On arrival I found a parking bay close to the actual building so I parked my car quickly and saw 2 senior police officers walking down the pathway, I said to my friend that they were 'gaffers' and they could point us in the right direction for the evening's invitation. As the Chief Constable from last year had retired, it was the new Chief who would be leading the social event. My friend and I went to the registration area to collect our ID badges and to wander around the hall looking at all the different stalls on display, there were from the drones that the police officers use to booklets on driving a vehicle safely as a pensioner. We then went to see the drug dogs being put through their paces, the dogs were told to search when no drugs had been hidden. Clever dogs just looked at their handlers as though to say 'you can't fool me' and just sat there, hence showing us how sensitive their noses were.

We then went back into the main hall again as the Chief Constable was addressing us all, I then asked a senior civilian who the new chief was. A David Sandal she replied also telling me that his father now retired had been a police officer, when the chief was pointed out to me, I realised that it was the 'gaffer' I had asked for directions. I then asked for the ground to open up and swallow me, totally embarrassed I told the senior civilian that I knew his father and had worked with him. A few minutes later I saw an opportunity to speak with the chief and forwarded the concerns of the parish council, to which he had armed himself with pen and paper and took notes from me (I was impressed with this)

Then at 7.30 pm a hot meal was served, from Jamaican, Asian, and other countries, to vegetarian, sandwiches and desserts were served all free. I myself had a cheese sandwich and a cornflake caramel cake. I then had the opportunity to share a table with a senior police officer and a senior probation officer, I asked if such things as a mixed football team from Sileby could challenge the police to a game. Hopefully this will come about or something similar. Well, it was time to head back home, it was once again a great evening and hope to get an invite again next year.