The worst part of the job...
Discussion
I was down to work an "evening" shift last night - 6pm-3am, and the same again tonight. Now my shifts have been changed.
I left work this morning at 6.30am, still soaked to the skin and freezing cold. At quarter to eleven last night, a call was received from Ambulance HQ of a serious injury RTC.
On Police arrival, it is found that a pedal cyclist and a car have been involved in a collision (I'm trying to word this carefully, as the investigation is still at a very early stage, and the full facts aren't yet known). Unfortunately, the pedal cyclist received serious multiple injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The car driver was very shaken up.
One of my tasks was to stand in mud up to my knees, in the p1$$1ng rain, to check the body by torchlight for ID. It always "spooks" me a little bit when you're touching what is very obviously a dead body, yet they're still warm. And with reference to the Post title, it's unpleasant, I wouldn't choose to do it, but this isn't the worst part of the job.
Several hours later (very early hours of the morning), having been out in the mud and rain for four or five hours, the body has been removed, a tentative ID has been made, and next of kin traced. Now we're standing outside the house, hammering on the front door, trying to wake the occupant. We're both literally soaked to the skin (despite "waterproof" coats and over trousers) and covered in mud. The occupant finally answers the door.
"Hello. I'm PC Xxxxxxxxxx from the road Policing Unit at Xxxxxxxxxx. I’m very sorry to wake you up at this time in the morning. Can we come in please? I'm afraid we probably have some very bad news for you, and we need to talk to you about it."
We go into the lounge. There's a fairly recent photo of the cyclist, and having had a good look at his face less than an hour before, I'm now more than 99.9% certain that our tentative ID is correct. We then have to break the terrible news to the next of kin.
That's the worst part of the job.
I left work this morning at 6.30am, still soaked to the skin and freezing cold. At quarter to eleven last night, a call was received from Ambulance HQ of a serious injury RTC.
On Police arrival, it is found that a pedal cyclist and a car have been involved in a collision (I'm trying to word this carefully, as the investigation is still at a very early stage, and the full facts aren't yet known). Unfortunately, the pedal cyclist received serious multiple injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The car driver was very shaken up.
One of my tasks was to stand in mud up to my knees, in the p1$$1ng rain, to check the body by torchlight for ID. It always "spooks" me a little bit when you're touching what is very obviously a dead body, yet they're still warm. And with reference to the Post title, it's unpleasant, I wouldn't choose to do it, but this isn't the worst part of the job.
Several hours later (very early hours of the morning), having been out in the mud and rain for four or five hours, the body has been removed, a tentative ID has been made, and next of kin traced. Now we're standing outside the house, hammering on the front door, trying to wake the occupant. We're both literally soaked to the skin (despite "waterproof" coats and over trousers) and covered in mud. The occupant finally answers the door.
"Hello. I'm PC Xxxxxxxxxx from the road Policing Unit at Xxxxxxxxxx. I’m very sorry to wake you up at this time in the morning. Can we come in please? I'm afraid we probably have some very bad news for you, and we need to talk to you about it."
We go into the lounge. There's a fairly recent photo of the cyclist, and having had a good look at his face less than an hour before, I'm now more than 99.9% certain that our tentative ID is correct. We then have to break the terrible news to the next of kin.
That's the worst part of the job.
Cousin has had same experience - says it is something he cannot get his head around. And most of it down to senseless behaviour - drink, simple error on either part, speed ....
Family been on receiving end of this news as you know - once with a plane crash, and the one almost immediately following with the articulated truck. This family is close and shock waves around --- no adjective can describe it. Then - of course - there was my own incident just months later - they all got to the hospital before I did! My poor husband has never commented on it - but know he was terribly upset.
My husband is faced with breaking of the bad news too - he builds up nice jolly relationship with his patients and their families. He really feels it when they die on him.
The A&E cousin - dislikes breaking bad news as well!
The only bad news I have ever had to give .... telling my boss that a project failed its trials! And it's back to drawing board!
Not quite on a par!
Would not like your job at all!
Family been on receiving end of this news as you know - once with a plane crash, and the one almost immediately following with the articulated truck. This family is close and shock waves around --- no adjective can describe it. Then - of course - there was my own incident just months later - they all got to the hospital before I did! My poor husband has never commented on it - but know he was terribly upset.
My husband is faced with breaking of the bad news too - he builds up nice jolly relationship with his patients and their families. He really feels it when they die on him.
The A&E cousin - dislikes breaking bad news as well!
The only bad news I have ever had to give .... telling my boss that a project failed its trials! And it's back to drawing board!
Not quite on a par!
Would not like your job at all!
You can never tell how a person is going to react..
Some cry..some wail..some say nothing..some walk out..some claim that the police have got it wrong because they're going on holiday tomorrow etc..some are angry at the police...some try to throw the police officer out of the house as if that will bring their loved one back..
Truly upsetting how grief affects different people..
Some cry..some wail..some say nothing..some walk out..some claim that the police have got it wrong because they're going on holiday tomorrow etc..some are angry at the police...some try to throw the police officer out of the house as if that will bring their loved one back..
Truly upsetting how grief affects different people..
I can also vouch for that being the worst part of the job, speaking to relatives of a recently deceased person who you were with, sometimes at time of death is pretty harrowing.
I am sure the other BIB's on here have recieved a "Thank you " from the person you have just told their son/husband/father/daughter/mother has died. That remains in my mind as one of the most selfless things someone can do.
Makes you realise that professionalism, and empathy are the paramount things in this job.
I am sure the other BIB's on here have recieved a "Thank you " from the person you have just told their son/husband/father/daughter/mother has died. That remains in my mind as one of the most selfless things someone can do.
Makes you realise that professionalism, and empathy are the paramount things in this job.
Some PHs might know, others might not..
but every police force now has FLO's. Family Liaison Officers. Specially trained to deal with bereaved families.
This was once the concern of CID, but with the advent of the Road Death Investigation Module, traffic departments now have their own FLOs and one will be attached to each fatal accident case.
but every police force now has FLO's. Family Liaison Officers. Specially trained to deal with bereaved families.
This was once the concern of CID, but with the advent of the Road Death Investigation Module, traffic departments now have their own FLOs and one will be attached to each fatal accident case.
Interesting contrast with another post by Streetcop regarding the death of a passenger TWOC. Various comments like 'good ridance', 'one less' etc by various respondents.
No doubt it was a BiB who had to go and inform and comfort a distraught mother. No matter how big an a###hole these youngsters can be, nobody "deserves" such a death. Ask not for whom the bell tolls...
No doubt it was a BiB who had to go and inform and comfort a distraught mother. No matter how big an a###hole these youngsters can be, nobody "deserves" such a death. Ask not for whom the bell tolls...
kenp said:
Interesting contrast with another post by Streetcop regarding the death of a passenger TWOC. Various comments like 'good ridance', 'one less' etc by various respondents.
No doubt it was a BiB who had to go and inform and comfort a distraught mother. No matter how big an a###hole these youngsters can be, nobody "deserves" such a death. Ask not for whom the bell tolls...
I feel sorry for the policeman. Not the passenger.
(and echo the sentiments above)
Street Cop said:
It's a bizarre thing, but the officer who gives the 'death warning' and the way that he delivers it, is one of the lasting memories in the mind of the loved ones left behind.
So i'm told..
I can well believe it, it's probably the starting moment of the worst day of their lives.
I've had to deal with recently bereaved relatives in a hospital situation where generally death is on the cards if not actually expected. I can only imagine what dealing with an accidental death must be like.
mcflurry said:
Interesting contrast with another post by Streetcop regarding the death of a passenger TWOC. Various comments like 'good ridance', 'one less' etc by various respondents.
No doubt it was a BiB who had to go and inform and comfort a distraught mother. No matter how big an a###hole these youngsters can be, nobody "deserves" such a death. Ask not for whom the bell tolls...
I feel sorry for the policeman. Not the passenger.
I feel I should say Im sorry. Dunno why but thats just such bad news.
What a hard job you have. Can see why you can get lippy/cocky with speeding motorists. Must be a very hard balance.
Well done to you.
Sorry to hear what you have to go through.
Greatest of sympathies to the families involved.
What a hard job you have. Can see why you can get lippy/cocky with speeding motorists. Must be a very hard balance.
Well done to you.
Sorry to hear what you have to go through.
Greatest of sympathies to the families involved.
My sympathy and admiration goes out to you guys for the job you have to do under those circumstances. It is a special sort of person who can deal with the breaking of that sort of news to a loved one and remain professional. I couldn't do it.
I have a mate who is a fireman who has seen some horrific sights at RTA's over the years. Again I couldn't do it and my hat goes off to all the boys and girls of the emergency services for their professionalism and courage.
I have a mate who is a fireman who has seen some horrific sights at RTA's over the years. Again I couldn't do it and my hat goes off to all the boys and girls of the emergency services for their professionalism and courage.
Wouldn't want that part of the job for anything.
Kind of makes me think back to all the rollickings (and a couple of tickets
) I got when I was younger from 
for not wearing my seatbelt - "if you have an accident - It might well be me that has to go and tell your parents that you have gone through the windscreen and ........."Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff