A campaign recognising Police Community Support Officers and the value they add to policing in Wales is being celebrated for its second year this week (December 10-14, 2018).
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) work on the front line providing a visible and reassuring presence on streets throughout the country.
The campaign, called #ThoseInBlue, is being supported by Dyfed-Powys Police, South Wales Police, Gwent Police, North Wales Police and British Transport Police. All week they will be showcasing the work of their PCSOs and recognising the vital role they play.
PCSOs are the eyes and ears of police in communities – building trust and gathering information that is crucial to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.
Dyfed-Powys Police’s Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Richard Lewis, leads the portfolio for PCSOs in Wales. He said:
“PCSOs are an integral part of the police family. It is different to being a warranted Police Officer, and is a job in its own right.
“PCSOs are not only the eyes and ears in our communities, but also help tackle problems which cause the most concern for people living in Wales.
“PCSOs bring a wide range of skills and experience to the role and in the Dyfed-Powys area we have specialist PCSOs tackling rural crime, cyber crime and antisocial behaviour, and crime reduction experts.
“This Christmas, PCSOs will be a reassuring presence for some of the most vulnerable people living in towns, cities and villages across Wales.”
As part of the campaign, Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Officers will be heading ‘back to the floor’ – going on patrol with PCSOs working across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.
All week PCSOs across Wales will be using #TweetMyWeek on Twitter to showcase the work they do every day that helps keep people safe. Follow the hashtag or keep up with the campaign on Dyfed-Powys Police’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
If you have concerns about crime or antisocial behaviour in your community speak to a PCSO or call 101.
CARMARTHENSHIRE
Name: PCSO 8009 Sharee Treharne
Where you’re stationed: Cross Hands
Length of service: 14 years
Why did you join: It was the first full time job I ever applied for after leaving school and working part time in retail.
Best moment: Too many to choose from, the job satisfaction is immense at times.
Interests outside of work: Rugby, netball, cycling and photography
Aspirations: To keep providing a high standard of neighbourhood policing and consider further opportunities to develop my skills and knowledge.
Speciality: Engagement with my communities and schools, young people in particular.
Previous experience: I started working in the criminal justice department in 2004. In 2009 I started my role as a PCSO stationed at Ammanford police station and transferred to Cross Hands police station in 2015.
Name: PCSO Helen Fender
Where you’re stationed: Rural Crime Team Llandeilo
Length of service: 3 years
Why did you join: I wanted to work directly with the community and make a difference through helping and supporting people.
Best moment: The Dementia Town launch in Llandovery and having the opportunity to expand my links with the farming community through my new role as a Rural Crime Officer.
Interests outside of work: Travelling and reading
Aspirations: To have all the farming communities in Carmarthenshire know my Rural Crime Team by name, and have confidence in us to provide support to make rural areas safe.
Speciality: Rural Crime and Mental Health support.
Previous experience: I was a Practice Manager in a doctor’s surgery for 23 years.
CEREDIGION
Name: PCSO Iona Jones-Kenny
Where you’re stationed: Lampeter
Length of service: Five months
Why did you join: I wanted a new challenge and feel I have a lot of previous experience to bring into the new role.
Best moments: No two days are the same and each day brings up a new challenge.
Interests outside of work: Spending time with the family, walking the dogs, and pool and sea swimming.
Aspirations: To build good links within the community and continue helping people.
Speciality: Working in schools and young people.
Previous experience: Working with children and young people and children in school.
Name: PCSO Matthew Kieboom
Where you’re stationed: Out of Cardigan Police Station, covering the rural villages and along the coast – probably one of the most beautiful parts of Cymru.
Length of service: 5 years, six months.
Why did you join: Several reasons: I live in the middle of the community that I support. When I first moved here it became very obvious that there were strong communities and my wife Debbie and I were quickly welcomed. I wanted to help support and improve/protect those communities. With a uniformed background, when I saw the job advertised, it just called out to me.
Best moment: Hearing the stories from members of my communities who had nominated me for the #WeCare awards – that was very emotional. We go out and do the best we can to support and protect people and often we don’t really know if we are getting it right.
Interests outside of work: Very limited due to having a smallholding! My dogs mean the world to me. I also love kayaking out at sea, swimming and hiking and generally being outdoors enjoying the beautiful area we live in. There is something very mindful about being outside in west Wales, no matter what the weather.
Aspirations: The work a PC does is immense and their opportunities to specialise in different roles and go up the ranks of promotion does appeal, but I have had a successful career in the British Army already and am getting a bit long in the tooth to be competing directly against people half my age or less! I am really content with the difference I am currently making as a PCSO and the support in my role that the communities give me.
Speciality: First Aid instructor with experience of dealing with trauma – there’s nothing I can’t do with a spoon! I’m a Blue Light Mind Champion, LGBT Liaison Officer and Major Incident trained, specialising in Major Medical Incidents.
Previous experience: Management Degree at Lancaster University followed by British Army Officer for 12 years. I’ve been on numerous Operational Tours specialising in major medical incidents, helped build refugee camps and provided Military Aid to a Civil Authority in York Floods in 2000 and Foot and Mouth Crisis in 2001. Many of the incidents I commanded at either both Bronze or Silver level, providing advice and planning to Gold where appropriate. Following medical discharge from the Army I had the pleasure of working at Help for Heroes as they first formed as volunteers and were a large part of my recovery process. It took me some 5 years before I was ready for full time employment.
PEMBROKESHIRE
Name: PCSO Daria Osmolak
Where you’re stationed: Milford Haven
Length of service: Less than one year.
Why did you join: I have always wanted to join the police – it has been my dream since I was a little girl. I want to make a difference, play a part in the community, support the public in difficult times. I want to make them feel safe and protected. I would like to think that I am approachable and committed to helping all members of the community.
Best moment: Using my translation skills to help negotiate with a Polish man who was in distress. As challenging as it was at that moment in time, I felt relieved that our efforts helped to keep the male safe and it was the best feeling ever knowing that he was going to be ok.
Interests outside of work: I enjoy restoring old furniture and finding new ways to use old things, giving a new look and purpose to items most people would put in the bin. I also love travelling and learning about new cultures and as I am a big foodie I love discovering new cuisines.
Aspirations: My aim is to be a Detective Constable in the future, as I am keen to gather information, solve crimes and protect my communities. For the time being I thoroughly enjoy my current role and I will put every effort into this position and will strive to be the best PCSO I can be.
Speciality: Being able to communicate in two languages – Polish and English.
Previous experience: I worked in food retail for 11 years carrying out different roles. I started as a shop assistant working 14 hours a week and within 6 years I worked my way up to a full time Duty Manager. I was responsible for the safety of workers and all customers as well as monitoring and managing the day to day running of the shop.
Name: PCSO Robert John.
Where you’re stationed: Haverfordwest.
Length of service: Nearly two years and one year as a Special Constable.
Why did you join: I have wanted to join the police since a young age. After serving as a Special Constable in Tenby for one year and going to public events and going on patrol with the PCSOs there, I thought that it was an exciting and varied role and one that would very much suit me and my skills.
Best moment:
- Attending to a 90-year-old victim of cyber fraud who had transferred a large sum of money to a company to correct his laptop. Providing reassurance and the support for him to get his money back and feel safe again. Helping vulnerable members of the community go about their day-to-day lives is important to me.
- Using my PCSO powers to assist in the arrest of a drug driver.
Interests outside of work: Going on holidays, walking around the coastal paths and beaches, and going out for food.
Aspirations: To have a long, successful career within the police. Possibly looking to become a PC in the future.
Speciality: Community engagement; getting out and about talking to businesses, individuals and being able to gather vital intelligence to help keep the communities safer.
Previous experience: Have previously worked in retail, marketing and as an Advisor for Citizens Advice in Pembrokeshire.
POWYS
Name: PCSO Mike Davies
Where you’re stationed: Llandrindod Wells
Length of service: 11 years
Why you joined: I wanted to give something back to the community that I live in. Having grown up in the area and returning after having a career in the Armed Forces, I wanted to make a contribution through preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people and helping them in any way that I can. I enjoy talking to members of the public and my role enables me to do this along with taking quiet pride in my work.
Best moment: Being involved with County Lines operations, tackling the drug supply in Llandrindod Wells.
Interests outside of work: Running, socialising and spending time with my family.
Aspirations: Continue to do the best that I possibly can.
Speciality: I take a proactive role in protecting vulnerable people and utilising multi-agency resources to support and improve the quality of their lives.
Previous experience: I have previously spent 10 years in the Army, where I was lucky enough to travel the world with the Royal Regiment of Wales. I have also spent some time as a postman – all of which has helped me in my role as a PCSO because I just about know everybody!
Name: Nicole Watkins
Where you’re stationed: Ystradgynlais
Length of service: 18 years
Why you joined: I really enjoyed the contact with the public in my previous role in the force.
Best moment: One of my proudest moments as a PCSO was having a significant involvement in the welcoming and integration of a number of Syrian families into the local community. The Ystradgynlais Neighbourhood Policing Team received an award from the Chief Constable in recognition of this work.
Interests outside of work: Outside of work, I enjoy socialising, reading and travelling.
Aspirations: My aspirations within my role are to continue serving the people of Ystradgynlais with due care and diligence, remaining friendly and forever approachable when engaging with the general public, and to continue to maintain strong bonds with all of our partner agencies in South Powys.
Speciality: I really enjoy my job and see my main responsibility as engaging with the public and protecting vulnerable people in our society.
Previous experience: I joined Dyfed Powys Police in September 2000, initially employed as a File Preparation Clerk in Brecon. I then joined the Incident Resolution team, dealing with the public on the phone.
