Emma’s ‘bittersweet’ meeting with her paramedic Dad

17 April 2020

It was a ‘bittersweet’ moment for PC Emma Heatherley when she said an emotional hello to her Dad following an enforced period apart because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Emma and her paramedic Dad Ian saw each other for the first time for more than a week after their respective jobs brought them together – almost – at Sandwell General Hospital.

Emma, a neighbourhood police officer based in West Bromwich, was patrolling the hospital site while Ian had arrived with a patient.

And they were able to obey the social distancing guidelines to have a quick catch-up.

“I saw him bringing in a patient and was waving like mad,” said Emma, who moved in with her partner who is also a police officer, in October.

“After my Dad had finished, he came over and we had a word while social distancing.”

She added: “It was a bittersweet moment. We would normally have a hug and a little conversation but obviously we couldn’t because of the ongoing situation.

“But seeing Dad at work was a nice little moment, a bit of normality.”

Emma and her Dad had a quick photo – which was posted on the Sandwell Police Twitter page – before Ian was called away to his next job. The photo has received more than 100 interactions.

“It’s really hard not seeing your family,” said Emma, who joined the Force in 2017 through the Police Now programme. “But we all do it now so we can see people later, and so everyone will be there to see each other.

“I think that’s why so many people have liked and shared the photo, because it shows everyone is having to do it.”

Emma added: “It was quite sad because we are a very close family. I’m normally there at my parents’ all the time as if I lived there – it’s normally like I never left.

“We have still got FaceTime – we’re still keeping in contact.”

Emma said that she and her colleagues have adapted well to the change in circumstances brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

“How quickly it came and we went into lockdown was a surprise,” she said. “The team is coping with it really well. We just have to take every day as it comes.”

So, what does Emma plan to do when the end of the coronavirus lockdown comes around?

“I will be popping round for a Sunday roast with my parents,” she said. “They are pretty legendary, especially when my Mum brings out the chipolatas!”