'Every day is different with a new incident or challenge' – South Yorkshire officers reveal all about their role during National Response Policing Week

By Stephanie Bateman
Published 15th Jun 2022, 18:27 BST
Updated 15th Jun 2022, 18:27 BST
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“I enjoy the fast pace, dealing with everything as you go and helping people at scenes who need us.”

These are the words of South Yorkshire Police Response officer Tom Wykes.

PC Wykes, based at Rotherham’s district headquarters on Main Street, was speaking about his love of being a response officer – a role crucial to frontline policing – as part of the national Response Policing Week of Action aimed at highlighting their importance and celebrating successes.

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South Yorkshire Police has joined other forces across the country in marking the campaign led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), the College of Policing and the Police Federation.

Sometimes the most innocent of jobs can turn into the most dangerous onesSometimes the most innocent of jobs can turn into the most dangerous ones
Sometimes the most innocent of jobs can turn into the most dangerous ones

In addition to celebrating the professionalism and courage of Response officers, the week is also an opportunity to recognise the challenges facing Response policing and consider the future development of a key role that sits at the heart of policing.

“Every day is different with a new incident or challenge,” adds PC Wykes, aged 32, who moved from Derbyshire to join the force. Having joined SYP in September 2017, he has served with Response since January 2018.

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“It’s such a fast moving job. You have to move with the times and deal with both incidents and people differently as society changes.

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“It’s such a fast moving job. You have to move with the times and deal with both incidents and people differently as society changes."“It’s such a fast moving job. You have to move with the times and deal with both incidents and people differently as society changes."