On Patrol
Thames Valley Police biker, PC Derek Ingram became a police motorbike officer after joining the Force 19 years ago. Since then, he has dealt with accidents and incidents on roads throughout Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and is a member of The SEG (Special Escort Group).
In his blog below, he will describe what he comes across as he patrols the roads in his patch of Berkshire.
Introduction
Bikes
Something about two wheels and the open road that gets the smile broader, the feeling of freedom and the satisfaction that you really are on your own.
Or, nothing like an early morning run down to your favourite greasy spoon Café to get the appetite fired up.
I love bikes, always have done…I blame the cheesy American series ‘CHiPS’ and me as a kid wanting to be police biker.
Well, after a varied civilian life I decided I wanted to ride Police bikes, and it was there I hit my first hurdle. You have to join the Police.
Ok… join the Police I did and eventually joined the Roads Policing department at Taplow in Buckinghamshire and now I patrol the Berkshire towns of Slough, Windsor, Bracknell and so on..19 years later and I’m still enjoying it.
Each month I will update this part of the ‘Safer Rider’ website with the varying bike related incidents my colleagues and I come across.
It will feature the good, the bad and the insane I am sure but hopefully it will put over the message that at TVP we want you to enjoy the bike but be safe, and to make sure at the end of each day you arrive home in the same way you left (maybe minus a few mm of rubber and about a tank of petrol!).
So, I look forward to sharing some of my experiences and advice. All that leaves me to say until next time is; keep it sunny side up and the rubber on the tarmac!
Del
derek.ingram@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
November 2012
Grabbing a handful….. Firstly a big thank you to all those that donated to C shift at Taplow for the month of ‘Movember’ I’m sooo pleased to remove this caterpillar from under my nostrils. Normal service resumes! The cold snap is virtually upon us and with it the road conditions change. Many of you, some [...]
August 2012
‘Sportsday’ Well, after four years of planning and preparation TVP were put firmly under the spotlight of the World by policing the Worlds greatest sporting events -The Olympics and Paralympics. TVP were the host police force at ‘Eton Dorney’ (although we’ve only ever known it as ‘Dorney’!) and were responsible for the safety and well [...]
June 2012
“You think your tough coz you bought a bike with you” Monsoon! There were reports of a strange alien craft above Berkshire last week, it was round, bright yellow and gave off heat. Or was that the sun? Dreadful riding conditions so far this summer and we are still in the grips of a [...]
April 2011
‘I know the Highway Code you know” Wet? I am. And there is currently a hosepipe ban across most of the country (I assume this isn’t the right type of rain!) Anyway, been a very busy month for me with Special Escort Group training in preperation for the upcoming Olympic games and juggling general Police [...]
March 2012
‘Stay Calm and Panic’ Hello Gang!! Big apologies for the distinct lack in Blogging , however due to the various work being put into some sporting event coming up and a Jubilee, not to mention a move into our new base at Taplow things have been a bit hectic to say the least! However normal [...]
October 2011
‘Coming Home…’ Busy! Busy! Busy! There has been a distinct lack of activity in this section and for that I apologise! The roads Policing department at Taplow has undergone some significant changes with the main one being the complete return to our ‘Home’ at Taplow. The new base is up and running and I have [...]
August 2011
‘Get a grip’ Not a great deal to report on this month -have been involved in a few ‘Safer Rider’ ride assessments notably the brave ladies from www.curvyriders.co.uk who endured what can only be described as ‘monsoon’ conditions at the ‘H Cafe’! Nut needless to say they endured the weather and did very well, it’s [...]
July 2011
“Side stand down and put it in gear, trust me” Well, well, well to coin a Jeremy Kyle phrase…it’s Royal Ascot week! Highlight of many a TVP biker as it’s a huge event on the calender and very trying to get the one way system up and running and keep the high street flowing, as well [...]
June 2011
‘Stop hogging the road’ “I am insured” said the rider of a Bandit 12oo in Slough this week…. Insured to ride his bike…not his girlfriends Bandit. So, a £200 fixed penalty along with 6 points, fortunately his girlfriend was pillion so she rode off into the sunset with him as pillion-unbelieveable. Driving or riding with [...]
May 2011
‘I’m faster than you’ Thought I’d open this month with a big pat on the back for all the riders who participated in the ‘Help For Heroes’ ride out from The Royal Oak in Bracknell (by the BP garage, London rd) , stopping at Windsor Castle, stopping at the Barracks then finishing at The Royal [...]