* Inspector Gavin Gilmore.
A
hero police officer who’s talked down countless suicidal men and women
from a world-famous bridge is calling on others to make a difference by joining
the police.
Inspector
Gavin Gilmore, a nationally trained hostage and crisis negotiator, is on course
to become one of the most senior ethnic minority police officers in North Wales
Police if he successfully completes his Chief Inspector promotion process later
this year.
The
multi award-winning cop, who was once honoured for his bravery after stepping
in to apprehend a machete-wielding offender following a serious assault, said
he could not have picked out a more challenging or rewarding career for
himself.
Insp
Gilmore was speaking as North Wales Police launched its latest drive to
recruit more officers.
The window for applications is open from August 18
to August 29 and details can be found on the North Wales Police website www.northwales.police.uk
The
dad-of-one, who is currently Wrexham Rural District Inspector, joined the force
in 2007 at the age of 24 following a three-year stint as a chemical engineer.
The
40-year-old studied for a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University but said the idea of a policing career
had always appealed to him.
Despite
strong disapproval from his father who was keen for him to become a doctor,
Insp Gilmore signed up and said it was the best decision he has ever made.
“For
me it was the right time. I had reached the age of 24 and had a lifetime of
experiences already, coming from a background of divorced parents. It does make
you grow up pretty quickly,” he said.
“I
also come from a mixed-race background. My dad was Mauritian and of Hindu faith
and my mother is white.
“My
father never wanted me to join the police. He preferred engineering or a career
in the NHS and had aspirations of me becoming a doctor. When I joined, I had
the added complication of going against my father’s wishes.
“When
I told him my plans, he was quite against it. I was born in the early 80s and
it was very much a different world. It was difficult to change the views of
someone who had lived through the Brixton riots in 1981. Even when I got
promoted my dad was still concerned for me and asked if I was sure that
policing was for me.
“I’m
now 15 years into my career and going for my promotion to Chief Inspector. If I
pass, I will be the most senior minority ethnic police officer in the force
which just shows how quickly you can go through the ranks if you give it your
best.
“If
you want to implement change in the police, you have to get yourself in a
position where you implement the change. Policing is evolving and while there
is still a way to go, the Chief Constable is really pushing to make a
difference.”
After
completing his initial training, Insp Gilmore joined Wrexham North and
undertook a variety of roles before completing his initial sergeant
qualifications and moving to Mold, Flintshire, as part of the response team.
After
18 months, he passed his inspector exams and moved into an acting inspector
role at Flintshire South and Flintshire North where he continued to build his
evidence for the rank before returning to Wrexham in charge of Wrexham Rural
District.
During
the past 15 years, Insp Gilmore has amassed a wealth of qualifications
including high-level national training as a crisis and hostage negotiator.
It
is these specific skills that has seen him deal with multiple incidents
involving suicidal people on the Menai Bridge on Anglesey in addition to
resolving dangerous hostage situations.
He
has also trained as a firearms officer, public safety commander and advanced
driver and is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Policing and Law
Enforcement Leadership at Liverpool’s John Moores University.
“I’ve
talked lots of people off bridges including Menai Bridge, I’ve talked people
off roofs when they’re threatening officers or other people. I’ve dealt with
situations where people have committed crimes and have threatened to burn down
buildings and large scale public disorder incidents,” he said.
“I’ve
investigated gangs bringing drugs into North Wales and was involved in breaking
up an operation involving the supply of drugs from Merseyside into North Wales.
“This
is a really complex job. You’re taking people’s liberty away and need to fully
understand your legislative powers. You’re given great responsibility as a
police officer and you need to fully appreciate the powers warranted to you.
“You’re
not only dealing with victims of crime but communities as well and your own
officers’ welfare. Police officers deal with death all day long and their
welfare is paramount.
“There
are so many career paths in the police, it’s so varied. If you have an affinity
for investigations, you can go into CID, if you have an affinity for driving
you can go into roads policing.
“I’ve
not looked back since 2007, it has really opened my eyes. You have to remain
fit and agile, of course, and as society evolves so do you. Every day is a
school day.”
Insp
Gilmore, whose wife is a serving North Wales police officer, now uses his
personal experiences to help other minority ethnic officers and staff coming
through the ranks as deputy chair of North Wales Police’s Black and Asian
Police Association (BAPA).
“We
support ethnic minority staff and officers who join us, especially when they
are suffering periods of stress-related illnesses. We also use a buddy system
for new officers so they don’t feel isolated,” he said.
“For
me as an Inspector going on to become a Chief Inspector and becoming the most
senior minority ethnic officer in the force, this shows other people from a
similar background you can go up the ranks and that you shouldn’t view
ethnicity as a barrier because it’s not.
“There
are support networks within the police to help you through, we are not isolated
and on our own. We have a welfare team in place offering whatever support is
needed. There really is no better time to join.”
* For more details about how to apply go to www.northwales.police.uk
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