Will swaps the high life for Special duties

11 September 2020

Special Constable Will Mott has decided to swap Sydney and Shanghai for Solihull.

The British Airways cabin crew manager has spent five years flying all over the world managing crews of up to 22 people on some of his longest flights to places like the Far East and Australia.

The other day, he arrested a shoplifter in Shirley.

For a man who is used to interesting journeys, the last few months of his life have taken him down a fascinating path.

Having applied to become a Special Constable because of a life-long love of policing in July last year, he was successful in November and began training in January 2020.

Will thought it would be the ideal way to spend some time on rest days from BA trips around the world.

When the Covid-19 pandemic took a hold, he was furloughed by BA and, instead of spending his time not doing a great deal, he decided to ‘step up’ and devote his time to clocking up hours on the beat after a fast-tracked training schedule.

“Ever since I was a child, I have loved watching police TV programmes. I always thought it would be really cool to be a police officer and so I decided to go and be one,” he said.

“Becoming a Special would enable me to dip my toes in the water. I could see if I enjoyed it and if I could do it.

“When I qualified and actually got out there, it was very nerve-wracking. It was something that was challenging but exciting at the same time. It was different to seeing the realities of policing without it being through a television screen, that’s for sure.

“It was a real eye-opener to see what police go through and what you have to deal with. My respect for the police has not only doubled but probably quadrupled. You certainly have to put up with a lot of ‘stuff’.

“I have experienced quite a lot of ‘stuff’ already and it has really opened my eyes. You can go from a domestic argument to a murder and that shows the varied nature of the job.”

Will has enjoyed the support of what he calls an ‘incredibly supportive’ group of officers on the Shirley Neighbourhood Police Team, Solihull; support that has made him enjoy the job a great deal since he began.

“Whether they are PCs or PCSOs, they have welcomed me with open arms and my sergeant is always on the end of the phone if I need her. They are an amazing team who do not get enough recognition,” he explained.