Member-only story
What Do the Police Do on a Quiet Summer’s Day
This happened 30 years ago — they are much more professional these days
One beautiful Sunday afternoon in the height of summer, I was paired with PC Penfold. We drove around looking out for a reason to stop cars and do self-generated work. Well at least that was what I was doing, PC Penfold was relaxing in the passenger seat looking for reasons not to stop cars or do any work.
We spotted two of our colleagues in their car, parked at the side of the road. They too were watching the passing traffic, on the lookout for driving offences. I pulled in beside them for a chat.
After a while, PC Penfold suggested we do a bit of gardening. There was general agreement from everyone else (except me, I hate gardening — I mean, when I got my first flat I put crazy-paving in the window boxes). As I was junior in service, they ordered me to do as I was told. So I dutifully followed PC Penfold’s directions to his friend’s house.
On the way, PC Penfold explained that his pal, Kneely, had started out working as a carpet fitter for a big company. After he became proficient at carpet fitting, Kneely did ‘homers,’ jobs on the side. The money was quite good, but he soon realised he could make twice as much money by supplying the carpet.
