There’s a saying that police officers are never off duty. COVID-19 has proved that this is true for many of our people who’ve been going the extra mile in their own time.
WMP think they’re amazing and wanted to share just some of the thousands of ways officers and staff from across West Midlands Police have been going above and beyond after a gruelling day at work, during one of the busiest and most demanding times in our history.
Hilary Hopker, from Corporate Communications, painted a life-like pond for a Coventry care home.
Brandon House Care Home specialises is supporting people with dementia. Staff wanted to make their courtyard garden more stimulating for residents who were unable to see their relatives. A real pond would be too dangerous, so artist Hilary was asked if she could help.
Over the next month, Hilary spent 30 hours painting Koi carp and water onto floor tiles which were then laid in the garden with the square edges hidden by plants, animal statues and a small waterfall.
Dementia can affect the way people see the world meaning the painted fish and swirling water appear to move.
As well as the free artwork, Hilary also donated an old family iPad to the home so that residents can keep in touch with family and friends via video calls.
In Birmingham, Police Community Support Officer Sam O’Dell joined forces with her neighbours to share their details with hundreds of people in Harborne.
As well as collecting prescriptions and shopping for those who were shielding, Sam and her neighbours made protective visors for care home staff.
Sam continues to keep in touch with those she’s helped out and is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Walsall’s sergeant Neil Powers is a school governor of three schools in Short Heath, Willenhall. Over the Christmas holidays, he helped make and distribute food parcels for struggling families.
Pupils, governors and staff got stuck in to help and is just part of how they’re helping people during the pandemic.
Stephanie Rolfe manages a team of people in Solihull who work to transform the lives of former offenders to get them to stop committing crimes.
When not working, Steph runs her own small clothing company, FREDS. During the pandemic, Stephanie changed her business so that she could help others.
For every hat sold on her website, Stephanie would donate one to a child with cancer in memory of her mum who died seven years ago because of the disease.
So far, almost 100 hats have been given away by Stephanie.
COVID-19 saw Harvi Kang, from Business Partnering at headquarters, sign up to the Royal Voluntary Service where she responds to calls for help. This has included a pharmacy that was struggling to get prescriptions out to shielding patients. Harvi jumped in her car and delivered them.
Her volunteer work for the RVS also sees her shopping for older people or having a talk with those who are feeling lonely. She does the same for her neighbours after dropping postcards through their doors. Harvi also organises donations to her local food bank in Kings Heath.
“I think we ought to be more mindful of those less fortunate around us,” said Harvi.
“I know some people may have family or friends who have lost jobs too, so this is precisely the time we ought to step up for one another.
“As well as my volunteer work for the RVS, I have been delivering food to food banks whenever possible and encouraging my family members to do the same as I’m aware of the current situation we all face and how fortunate we are at WMP to still have jobs”.
By day, Chief Superintendent Kim Madill is responsible of policing across the whole of Dudley borough. Early on she realised how serious the pandemic would be and quickly organised her family to help people in need.
Together they designed and printed off leaflets offering neighbours help with anything.
As they delivered the leaflets, someone came out of their home to speak to Kim. He explained that his wife was disabled and all his family lived in the south. They had none else to help them, so Kim did their shopping, and offered telephone support and socially distanced conversations on the doorstep.