We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a belated Happy New Year!.
For January’s Behind the Badge, Harrow Online caught up with PC Jordan Wallace who is based at Harrow Police Station and part of a team tackling violence and anti-social behaviour.
What is your job role?
My job is currently working on the North West Tasking Team. Our job is mainly acting as support for other teams around tackling violence, anti-social behaviourand supporting other teams with work such as high visibility patrols and executing warrants. I have been on this team since 2018, with two stints on the Met’s Specialist Crime unit, more commonly known as Trident. I am also a Public Order trained officer, so spend a lot of time working protests and football matches in and around London and recently spent two weeks working at COP26 in Scotland.
Why did you become a police officer?
When I was younger I wanted to be a firefighter or a police officer and it was always going to be one of the two. I just wasn’t sure which one to pick. But In 2008, I joined the Hillingdon Police Cadets and made up my mind to join the Met as soon as I could. My last job before I joined was a Youth Engagement worker for the borough of Hillingdon and I just waited for police officer applications to open. Just before my 20th birthday in 2012, I applied and I have never looked back
What are the difficult things in your job that the public may not realise?
I think some people don’t understand that, no matter our feelings on a matter or incident, if we are told to do something we have to do it. The Met, much like the military, is a disciplined service so when orders or instructions are given they have to be followed. Working protests and football matches people will often say, or shout, that we should ‘think for ourselves’ and try to urge us to do things they want from us, when we tell them “that’s now how it works”, it can lead to some challenging situations.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Definitely the experiences. Policing in Scotland during COP 26, working all around London, early morning raids, taking part in some very interesting jobs across the UK and having a laugh on a daily basis with mates. Work never seems like work when you are having fun with good people.
What advice would you give to people thinking of joining the Met?
Like all jobs it has its ups and downs. Good people and bad people. Stressful work and relaxed moments. So you just have to find what work you like and get a good team around you. Whether you want to teach, work with animals, be a data analyst, work in forensics, work with schools and young people, build projects, effect change and write policy, or just some old-fashioned catch bad people and protect the public, there is a job in the police for you.
One more thing about me…
I am a massive rock music fan. This year I will be off to my first festival in June; Download. My lockdown skill was learning the bass guitar. I think I am alright for someone who is self-taught. There will always be music playing when I’m walking, doing housework, on holiday, or on my way to work.
