Quiet competence and service in the face of adversity

Despite living on the other side of the world I've felt deeply affected by the tragic events at Shoreham recently. As a police officer I worked at the airport for many years, have enjoyed the air show and was horrified as the reports of the crash have evolved.
Having served for the best part of 20 years  and helping to set up Sussex Polices disaster victim recovery teams over 10 years ago, I probably know better than most what will have confronted those responding to the incident and those now working round the clock to recover the victims and crucial evidence from the scene. But it struck me that this incident is a great example of the quiet competence and professionalism that our police service applies to their duties, largely unknown to the communities we serve. Patrol officers, roads policing officers, search teams, victim recovery and identification teams, investigators, crime scene and forensic officers, planners, logisticians, support officers and many more will be laboring tirelessly to investigate the causes of the crash, recover and identify the victims, clear the highway and get the grieving community back to normality, albeit a new reality. Not to mention those dispatched to knock on a door and deliver the worst of all messages with tact and compassion.
Adversity binds the members of the policing family and helps to build and advance that quiet competence and capability, without fear or favor and most often without celebration. For the majority service brings its own reward. My thoughts of course are with the bereaved families and those left behind in such tragic circumstances but equally with those who serve. I may no longer be a part of the service but I’m proud to say it’ll always be a part of me.