The Pocket Notebook is a place for musings, reflections, and memories from people connected to policing – serving officers, those who’ve moved on, retired colleagues, and contributors from across the ranks and roles.
We welcome guest bloggers to share their thoughts on policing issues, current news, and the road ahead — including what could be done better. We’ll also publish stories from the good old days, with details changed where necessary to protect the innocent.
If you’ve been following UK Cop Humour, you’ll feel at home here. That page has been running since 2011 — a surprise to some — and what began as a humour outlet has grown into an unofficial voice for the front line.
Over the years, the good folks at UKCH have:
- Helped raise awareness during the compulsory severance vote, campaigning against it — a move that almost certainly saved careers.
- Raised over £80,000 to date for emergency services–related charities and similar causes.
- Highlighted injustices and run fundraisers for the families of fallen officers.
- Brought the Thin Blue Line to the forefront of British policing in 2012, producing the now-familiar velcro morale patches with proceeds to Care of Police Survivors (COPS).
Like policing itself, much of the impact of these efforts will likely never be measured — because you can’t see the things you’ve prevented. But we’ve seen the difference it makes.
Of course, not everyone will approve. Some people simply dislike anyone trying to lift morale, raise awareness, or make life better for those on the job. We’ll leave them to their opinions.
The Pocket Notebook 