Mod Plod

Calderway MPU manager and RAF reservist Richard Matthews has been promoted to the rank of Corporal after having successfully passed his RAF police (RAFP) training course.

RAF police officers have a diverse role. As well as carrying out regular police work such as arrest procedures and interviews when crimes have been committed, they also protect air force bases and aircraft from espionage, organised crime and terrorism, both in the UK and on deployed operations.

In July 2018, Richard – who has been a reservist with 607 Squadron (County Durham), based at RAF Leeming, since October 2015 – was mobilised to the Falkland Islands as a military working dog handler and deployed to protect critical assets at Mount Pleasant Complex.

To become an RAF police officer Richard had to go through a period of training, which included a written exam focusing on specific areas of legislation around powers of arrest on RAF property using the Human Rights Act, Criminal Law Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Common Law and Armed Forces Act, and a presentation about the legendary Spitfire fighter plane.

Richard has also taken part in numerous role-playing scenarios to prepare him for real world incidents that he could face in the future. These include dealing with improvised explosive devices, domestic disputes, stop and search procedures, and resolving a simulated 15-man bar brawl!

‘As part of my two-week assessment, I had to patrol a fully operational airbase with a colleague,’ said Richard. ‘While on patrol, we were radioed to respond to a 15-man bar brawl where role-playing actors were actually wrestling each other and throwing things around the bar.’

Richard has also been trained in the use of handcuffs, batons and pressure point techniques. He also had to learn how to interview people and create a case file before arresting a suspect and taking them to a custody suite.

‘Being a reservist is fantastic,’ said Richard. ‘When I drive through the gates for my training weekends, I get a real sense of pride at being able to support full-time RAF personnel. The regular guys enjoy working with us reservists as they respect the fact that we do a full weekend’s work on top of having full-time jobs.

‘Royal Mail is very helpful in giving me two weeks of military leave entitlement each year. This is very much appreciated as having to use all my annual leave to do reservist work wouldn’t leave me with very much family life for when my wife is on leave.’

Military reservists

Royal Mail actively supports colleagues who are reservists for the UK Armed Forces. We have around 220 military reservists – one of the largest groups in the country – who combine working for us with protecting their country at home and overseas.

Our association with reservists stretches back into our 500-year history. We continue to do as much as we can to uphold this proud tradition of supporting armed forces personnel and their families, as well as those who have left the services.