PCs offer colleagues help with the ‘daily plod’

Since 2004, Inspector Roger Bartlett has been part of a scheme organised by the Christian Police Association to bring family-strengthening resources to police colleagues across Devon and Cornwall. Through strategically-placed ‘resource boards’, hundreds of police officers have benefited from Care for the Family’s books and DVDs.

The resource boards are now a feature in 36 police stations. “It’s a very simple concept that’s easy to do,” explains Roger, who helps co-ordinate the scheme as part of the Christian Police Team. “Apart from ordering replacement books, there is no additional burden on any of the staff involved. I think it’s an idea that could be copied in any workplace and have a tremendous effect.”

Encouragement for the daily ‘plod’

After 22 years in the police force, and being married with three kids under 10, Roger knows the pressure that police work can put on family life through long hours and reacting to traumatic situations. Roger’s desire to help his colleagues, by making Care for the Family resources available, is partly down to how helpful he has found the resources himself. “The Sixty Minute Father was great,” he says. “It really sticks out as helpful – I found it really encouraging in the daily plod!

“One of my fellow officers also read ‘The Sixty Minute Father,’ and thought it was so good that he took ‘The Sixty Minute Mother’ home for his wife. She now gives out copies to her friends because it made such an impact on her.”

“Amazed that someone would care enough”

“Other people have found it helpful too. We hear stories of how the books have had an impact in the lives of our colleagues.” The books are financed by regular donations from officers and by local churches, and the Police Force has given some money too. “Many of our colleagues are amazed that someone would care enough to give them these resources for free. Often they ask where they have to pay because they don’t understand why someone would do this.

“We’ve given away about £12,000 worth of books in four years and they are still being read and used. People keep taking them, which is a good sign. It helps that the boards are completely anonymous to use. They are there 24 hours a day, and so people can browse and help themselves when there is no one else around. That anonymity is important – no one wants to look like they need help in their family life in front of their colleagues.

“And we find a number of people hear about the scheme through word of mouth. It has obviously struck a chord with people and it helps that the resources are fantastic. But also, I believe this is a God-authored scheme, so perhaps I shouldn’t be too surprised that it has taken off the way it has, or that it is impacting families, strengthening marriages, helping parents, and keeping families together despite the strains of police work.”

Last Updated 19 June 2009