On Being a Police Officer Ep. 29 Constable James Walkling from UK and New Zealand Police
Ep. 29 Joining me is New Zealand police officer, Constable James Walkling. James is originally from the UK where he started his career in law enforcement with the Metropolitan Police in London in 2011. We talk about policing in these very different countries, in particular what it’s like to be unarmed in the UK and “semi armed” in New Zealand. We also review the current debate in New Zealand to move to “generally armed,” which would allow officers to carry a handgun as they do in Australia. This debate was ignited in 2021 following the murder of New Zealand Constable Matthew Hunt during a traffic stop.
James looks back on his challenging upbringing in the foster care system and unpleasant interactions with UK police as a teen, factors which actually led him to choose law enforcement as a profession to make the changes he wanted to see. In fact, his advice to Americans who are disgruntled with law enforcement is to do the same. He also encourages civilians to do a ride-along with officers to really understand the job. “Go and do those ride-alongs and be involved in it, and understand that policing is nothing what you think it is.”
We also discuss the events in America over the past two years including the murder of George Floyd, civil unrest, calls for defunding the police and the perception and impact of these events on law enforcement here and in other countries. The negative narrative on policing does not stop at our borders.
For all that is different among these countries, there is much that is the same. The commitment, the sacrifice, protecting the most vulnerable, dealing with people on what is very possibly the worst day of their lives. Our conversation is both thoughtful and upbeat and is as much about James’ support of law enforcement in the U.S. and worldwide as it is about his own experiences.
Remembering Constable Matthew Hunt killed on duty July 2021 - a short documentary
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©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org