At this year's Federation conference, we are bidding farewell to several long-serving Federation Reps. Among their number is Debi Rouse who, as well as being a Rep on the Wales and Midland division, was the Deputy Chair of BTP Federation.
Ahead of her final day in the role, Debi put finger to keyboard to reflect on her career and offer some words of advice for those following in her footsteps:
I lived in Weston-Super-Mare and was rushing out the door to go somewhere when the phone rang. We didn't have mobiles in those days, and I thought to myself, "shall I leave it?" and I usually would, but this time I picked up and it was a someone called Liz Ord. She went on to tell me I had been accepted and my start date would be 7th December 1992. So, that was the day I caught the train to London and the fun and games started from Tavistock Place.
Things could have been very different. I turned Gwent Police down in favour of the BTP because, and I quote, "I'll never move back to Wales". How wrong was I?
Armed with all my uniform which included a skirt (no trousers), off I went to Tadworth, then Cwmbran Police Training Centre, to learn my trade. This was not a bad place for me, my Mum and Dad were just a few miles up the road, so I had the option of decent food!I spent my first 8 years in Bristol, then home to Wales in 2000. In between I spent time working all-over the UK teaching Diversity for the initial roll out and was also based in London as a law teacher at City of London University.
When I returned to Wales I settled in Newport and became the sitting Sheriff when Monty left, lone patrolling a massive area, which ironically is now patrolled by two officers and a handful of PCSO's.
I worked in many disciplines, teaching, training, SOIT, OSU, PSU and general policing, and of course my Federation work, which was my passion.
I became a Rep knowing the feeling of needing someone to guide you through the mesh of being disciplined and found that in the late Steve Wheale. He guided me through some very tough times and left me with the passion to become as good a Rep as he had been for me. I have helped, supported and guided many
officers and others beside through the myriad of complaints, misconduct and disciplines ensuring that they were totally in control with a guiding hand and experienced mind to support them. Only two officers chose to not have me as their rep, purely because I would not give them false hope. I have always been upfront with what the process entails and what the outcomes might be - good or not so good.
For those who join the BTP now, I would recommend joining the Federation because you just never know what's around the corner. You wouldn't drive a car without insurance; you will have the power to take someone's liberty away and to not insure yourself against making a mistake or becoming the quarry to those who will go out of their way to destroy you, is in my mind, foolhardy.
Learn your trade and know it well, knowledge is power and that can and will outstrip rank every time.
The job will define you; you will hold the tremendous amount of power, it can change someone's life in an instant; so, tread careful, be true and fair and if that means you stepping back for a moment, it is better to do that than regret your actions - you will have to account for them!
It is a fantastic job that will serve you well emotionally, physically, and mentally. Be strong be safe and enjoy the ride.
