Fed member looks back on ‘amazing’ Paralympics trip

18 November 2024

PC Ryan McGrath was on hand as a general patrol officer during the Games in the French capital, which ran from 28 August to 8 September, after being successful in a ballot open to all Police Support Unit (PSU)-trained officers.

The constable’s duties involved assisting with carrying out searches, taking members of the public to custody and patrolling areas of high footfall.

The group of UK officers Ryan travelled with, which included two other Derbyshire cops, enjoyed warm relations with their French counterparts from the moment they arrived in the city, he revealed.

Ryan (second from right) in Paris.

“We received a blue-light escort from the airport to our hotel, which was such a nice welcome. There were two police motorbikes taking us through the whole journey, which lasted a good hour.

“It was also a strange feeling to be on the receiving end of a police escort. It was quite surreal, to be honest,” he laughed.

Ryan, 28, went on to discuss the magnitude of the Paralympics, whose attraction of international crowds he witnessed up-close.

France

As well as mixing with visitors and event-goers from all corners of the world, he also had many positive interactions with law enforcement officers from countries beyond France, including Chile and South Korea.

“It is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and it truly felt that way. It was really special how police officers from so many different nations joined together and ensured the Games went smoothly,” he said.

“Another good part was seeing a different style of policing from a whole separate organisation. Home officers were friendly and were very willing to show us how they operate and tackle local issues.”

Among the many memories Ryan says he will cherish from the trip, the most intense was a potential firearms incident at Paris’ Gare du Nord, the busiest railway station in Europe.

Development

Although the incident did not end up amounting to anything significant, he recalled it as a moment he was preparing to step up in his assistance if required.

Ryan rounded off by looking ahead to how he could use the experience for his development as a police officer.

“I completed my Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship in February and I am always trying to better myself in these early days.

“I’d definitely say it was good training for any PSU work I am involved in in the future. Obviously, it being the Paralympics means it was fairly unique circumstances, but there was still a lot of transferable elements for dealing with any public order environment.

“The opportunity was amazing and something I’ll always be grateful for. I will take everything I did in Paris and use it to help me be the best officer I can be for Derbyshire Constabulary,” he ended.