It was a day of endings. Two people I have worked with for a number of years left work to start a new phase of their lives. Although it was sad that they were leaving it was also a great opportunity to look to the future. And in a ‘new year’s eve’ style I found I was also reflecting on my own circumstances and what I have lost during the year.
The first was an officer Steve who I met almost 10 years ago as we were both working on a project at the time. It was a small team and so we worked closely and I remember many times that he offered me wise counsel. I am sure it helped to get me through the six months I worked on the project and away from the job I was doing. It was a few years later when he and I worked together again when he became a staff officer.
Steve is one of the good guys and it was quite sad today to say goodbye and know that I won’t get to work with him again. But it was the start of a new chapter of his life and a well-deserved rest from the full on work that is policing. I could write a lot about how he has helped me during the years.
The second person was the Chief Constable. Having worked with him for seven years Sir Peter completed his final operational day of policing. It ended with him on patrol which was much as I remember his arrival in GMP in 2008. There have been highs and lows in the past seven years but it has always been entertaining.
Any head of communications or strategic communicator knows how important it is to have a good working relationship with your CEO or leader. If you don’t manage to get to the position when you can know what they are about, what they want  or need then you are going to have a difficult job. It took me some time to get to that point but thanks to the help and support I had around me I like to think I got there. I will miss the easy conversation when you both know what you mean without saying anything. It makes the working day so much easier.
I have lots of fond memories from the past years with both Steve and Sir Peter. I will carry them with me. But as with everything in life things change and move on. While those who have left will move on to other things, so the workplace will change and develop. I have a whole lot of learning to do in the next few weeks as the new Chief Constable takes up the reins. It will mean hard work and commitment but I am sure it will be as interesting as the past 14 years at work have been.
I say thank you to all those people who have worked with me and moved on. Thank you for all you have taught me, given me or shared with me. It is all the past experience that will help me to face the future, and I am looking forward to it.
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