Page 26 - topcoverissue19

26 TOP COVER SPRING 2024

on 21 July, the fatal shooting of Jean achieve this will often come down to
Charles de Menezes and the successful quality of leadership.
armed operations to arrest the “I’ve been lucky to work on both
perpetrators of the failed bombings. SFO teams and international sports
The legacy and ramifications of those teams where psychological safety has
three weeks will live long in the been very evident,” said Andy. “I’ve
memory for all involved. also experienced other teams where it’s
By 2006, Andy had 26 years’ service lacking, and there’s a marked difference
and was starting to think about future in cohesion, trust and functionality
plans. This was highlighted after a long between the two. Psychological safety
foot chase on a robbery plot in the must be present if the team are able to
early hours of Christmas Day working reach their full potential.”
with the Flying Squad in Cirencester. Poor psychological safety on teams
Fitness levels had peaked and were can be a catalyst for poor mental
starting to decline, with 30 years of health. Mental health and officer
pensionable service on the horizon. welfare are now much more in the
After being out of hockey for 12 years, public eye, areas that saw neglect in the
he was keen to get back involved and early 1980s when Andy joined.
took on a role managing the junior Other former officers have described
international team and coaching the a career in the Met as a “painful
England indoor men’s team. privilege” and Andy agrees. In October
1993, Andy and his crew were the first
Expertise and commitment armed unit on scene at the shooting of
While his days in the SFO world PC Patrick Dunne, a local home beat
So, what is psychological safety? officer killed as he investigated the
were numbered, he never lost site of
Simply, it is the ability to act and sound of gunshots at an address near
the value and satisfaction of working
alongside like-minded souls: “To this speak up with ideas, challenges, to where he was making enquiries on
questions, without fear of any negative a different matter. Local officers were
day I cannot praise highly enough
repercussions. It doesn’t just happen; it visibly affected by what they witnessed
the expertise and commitment I
is achieved in stages and is an integral as paramedics fought desperately to
witnessed and experienced in my 15
part of the team building process. save his life.
years working on SFO teams alongside
consummate professionals. I learnt
so much that would contribute to my It’s frustrating that serving and ex-firearms
‘alternative’ international coaching and “ officers don’t get the voice and the plaudits they
managing career and beyond.”
After leaving the Met in 2010, his deserve. Mark and the PFOA charity team do a
career in hockey with the national and marvellous job in supporting those in need.
Olympic squads utilised many of the
skills learnt working with SO19. There Initially, it is about inclusion – Traumatic experiences clearly have
are some interesting comparisons everybody must be included – followed an impact on all officers and there was
between SFO teams and Olympic by the ability to learn. Learner safety a feeling in the 1980s and 90s that the
sports teams, including mutual will support individuals on the team only real support would come from
expertise in teamwork; pressurised when they fail or make errors (human peers and family. As human beings,
decision-making; planning, briefing, error is natural). The third level is we all react differently to trauma;
and debriefing; public speaking contribution safety; everybody should some will allow the trauma to build
and communication skills; tactical be given the security to be able to up to a point where repeated exposure
awareness; and agility and adaptability contribute. Finally, challenger safety. can lead to PTSD and a breakdown.
– all evident in high-performing teams. This is the most difficult, the ability to Others are far more affected by
However, the big asset both have respectfully challenge others, including individual occurrences. By his own
is psychological safety. Research has the leaders. Only the very best teams admission, Andy has not struggled
suggested that this element sits at the create the respect and permission for with mental health challenges and
top of the list as the most important challenger safety and it doesn’t happen anxiety, but knows many for whom it is
contributory factor in successful teams. overnight. Whether or not teams a regular challenge.

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