Bio - Simon Hobson
SIMONHOBSON
EX-DETECTIVE CONSTABLE
Simon Hobson Ex Met Police Detective:
The Hobbo - or There and Back Again (with apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien)
Growing up in the North East of England there were only two things I ever dreamt of being - a professional musician or a Police Officer. I was fortunate enough to achieve both goals in tandem despite the early efforts of an old fashioned Northumbria Constabulary beat Sergeant back in 1989.
Having made my application to join the Metropolitan Police, who I considered to be the finest force in the country, the crusty old sweat paid a visit to my parent’s home to assess the suitability of my family background for his London counterparts. He proceeded to inform my parents of the following: ‘I don’t know why he wants to join that lot , they are all bigger villains than the villains.....’
I can attest that this was not true. Well, maybe with the occasional exception.
As a 20 year old, naive Northerner dubbed ‘Hobbo’ by my fellow brothers-in-arms (along with a slew of alternative unprintable nicknames) I attended 5 months basic training at Hendon Police College before being thrown to the proverbial wolves on the mean streets of West Ham. The socio-geographical make-up of my childhood wasn’t exactly overflowing with what would later come to be generically known as ‘Diversity’ and suddenly people from all walks of the capital looked to me for help and counsel. A steep learning curve undoubtedly, but one I embraced with the enthusiasm of youth.
From the outset of my career I aspired to be a Detective. Watching talented Investigators ply their trade and generously share their skills and experience with me was invaluable, as was observing those whose devotion to excellence was less than professional. As in all walks of life you learn from those who do things badly as much as those who excel.
My career highlights in a nutshell? Qualifying in the 1998 Detective intake with a score of 34/35 on the interview board process (feedback: ‘well we couldn’t give you 100% could we?’ and also 98% in the Detective qualifying exam , both being the top score Met-wide in that year’s process. Time spent investigating child murders, working as a Family Liaison Officer with parents whose worlds had been destroyed. This was a heavy responsibility, but also an honour and a privilege. Time spent sending paedophiles and murderers to prison in the roles of Exhibits Officer, Investigative Interviewer Family Liaison Officer and much more. Having my contribution to major investigations recognised by means of commendations from Senior Officers, Crown Court Judges and outside agencies, but more importantly receiving had written letters and cards from the families of victims thanking me for just being there for them. I learned as the years progressed that I could never make circumstances better for these poor people, but I could certainly ensure that things certainly didn’t get worse.
I enjoyed a career mainly full of joy and surrounded myself with people who I respected, admired and aspired to emulate. One such person is now the esteemed CEO of this company. Yes, there were tough times both professionally and personally. Yes, there were times when I had to tolerate officers who weren’t fit to serve the great people of the capital. But these Individuals were in a minority and when the time came for me to step aside and let others take up the baton, I retired with no regrets, fantastic memories and immense pride.
And so the journey ends full circle. Back home in the Shire. The same town I grew up in. Now utilising all the skills I developed in a 25+ year career in what I now know is the finest Force (Service) in the UK. I’m currently a qualified Will Writer and Estate Planner helping folk plan for end of life care and I also run Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programmes looking to effect behaviour change in intimate relationships. I also run programmes for the Family Courts regarding positive co-parenting. None of these things could I have done without my Police training and experience. I’ll be forever grateful.
I still play music professionally and enjoy it as much as ever. Looks like I managed to achieve those childhood dreams. I reckon that makes me a lucky man.
