Ten year challenge for two PCSOs as they say goodbye to the Amber Valley

As we say farewell to two PCSOs with 25 years’ service between them, we thought we’d take a look back at their career, and put them up for their own 10 year challenge.

PCSOs Mark Rogers and Meikel Miller bid goodbye to their areas at the end of last week, but it is just farewell for now for the force as they both returned to start their training as Police Constables this week.

Both Mark and Meikel have spent their entire neighbourhood policing career (so far) working with the communities of the Amber Valley

Mark first started his career back in January 2007, where he spent the first nine years on the Somercotes and Swanwick beat.His last four years has been spent on the streets of Alfreton Town Centre, and also on social media, where he has regularly updated the Alfreton Police SNT Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AlfretonSNormantonPinxtonSomercotesRiddingsSNT.

Mark said: “I have absolutely loved my time as a PCSO and I really enjoyed the job. Every day was different and the role was something you had the opportunity to really make your own. I still have moments where I wonder if I’ve made the right decision but I am ready for the change, and I actually always had the long term goal of becoming a police officer.

“The things I think I will miss, apart from my colleagues, will be the different partnerships I’ve forged out in the community, including Alfreton Town Council, Alfreton Shop Watch and all the schools which I have worked with to hopefully break down some of those barriers between our younger residents and the police. It has been brilliant.”

Meikel first started as a PCSO covering the Heanor and Heanor Rural areas back in 2008, where she spent five years, before moving to cover Ironville and Riddings for another five years after that.For the last two years Meikel has had a more specialised role on the Amber Valley Youth Engagement Team, where she has worked with different agencies and schools to build relationships with local youngsters.

She said: “I would recommend being a PCSO to everyone, I’ve loved it. I always had an ambition to become a police officer but I’ve enjoyed this role so much that I’ve stayed much longer than I ever expected to.

“Working in the police environment is like nothing else. You meet people from all different backgrounds and for the most of it I’ve found they just want to talk to you, and as a whole are really grateful for the work you do”

Meikel added: “The role has pushed me out of my comfort zone at times, but this has been great for me and I’ve built so much confidence during the last 12 years. No two days have been the same but I’m ready for a new challenge, and I don’t believe it is ever too late to start something new.”

Inspector Paul Stevenson, who is in charge of the Amber Valley Local Policing Unit, said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank both Mark and Meikel for their service to the communities of the Amber Valley during the past decade. We are very grateful for all the work they have done over the years to make the area a safer place to live, work and visit.

“They both have built up a wealth of policing experience, and this can only be an asset to Derbyshire Constabulary as they begin their careers as police officers. We wish them the very best of luck.”

If you are interested in a career with Derbyshire Constabulary, visit https://careers.derbyshire.police.uk where you can search our current vacancies and apply, and find out more about the many different policing roles in Derbyshire.