For this months edition of ‘Behind the Badge’, Harrow Online spoke with PC Deniz Orman, a Safer Neighbourhood Officer based in Harrow.
Behind the Badge gives our readers a chance to learn a bit more about the local police officers in our area, what they do and how they serve the community to help keep us all safe.
What is your role?
I am currently a Safer Neighbourhood Officer covering the Kenton West Ward in Harrow. My duties involve, but are not limited to, long-term and short-term problem solving on my ward, dealing with anti-social behaviour, community engagement and arranging local operations, i.e vehicle stops to deal with a speeding issue in a certain area. I have also worked with multiple partner agencies to deal with issues on my ward. Recently, I have applied for a Closure Order at Willesden Magistrates’ Court with the assistance of Harrow Council, NHS services and social services to close down a property which is believed to be a place people use and buy drugs. I have been working as a Police Officer in the Met for about six years.
Why did you become a police officer?
I was born and raised in Hackney East London and I am of Turkish Heritage. I joined the Met Police to make a difference to the community I lived and grew up in. Public perception of the police is not always a positive one. Hopefully, I can make a difference with each engagement I have with the public. I also immensely enjoy serving such a diverse and culturally rich city community in London, it is always a challenge and no two days are the same.
What are the difficult things in your job that the public may not realise?
Sometimes you get called or deal with incidents where you won’t mentally have time to digest what has happened. This can range from anything such as sudden deaths, delivering a death message to the next of kin or attending serious and sometimes fatal road traffic collisions. Your colleagues and friends are the best people to talk to as they understand what you have been through. If you feel this is not enough, the Met work with a variety of charities and organisations to help you.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
For me, it is going to court and getting a result or conviction for a job I have dealing with for a long time. This is mainly due to the reaction and sense of relief the victims get who, in some cases, have been dealing with the issue/problem for years.
What advice would you give to people thinking of joining the Met?
I would recommend it if you like challenging yourself on a daily basis, both physically and mentally, and you do not like a routine 9-5, Monday to Friday, office-based job. If job satisfaction ranks quite high in what you are looking for, I would seriously consider joining the Met as an option. There are so many opportunities to further and develop your own career once you join as well.
One more thing about me…
I am a big Arsenal fan and watch their games every week. I grew up about a five-minute walk from the old Highbury Stadium. Unfortunately, I cannot attend as many games as I used to, but if the opportunity arises I still love going to games. I’m also passionate about cars and I have owned quite a few during my time driving. I find driving on country roads quite relaxing.
