Who are our local police officers, and what do they deal with day-to-day?

We've teamed up with North Yorkshire Police to introduce you to some of their officers. This semi-regular series will help you get to know them a little better.

This week... PCSO Grenville Dowson

Where do you work and what is your patch like?

I am a Police Community Support Officer – or PCSO as it’s more commonly known - in the city centre of York. My role can be very busy dealing with shoppers, tourists and people wanting to enjoy the night life. It can be fun and entertaining and sometimes quiet and peaceful, especially on early mornings. There is generally a great atmosphere in York and it’s a pleasure to work in, apart from the odd occasions when some people spoil it for everyone else.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job would be the varied incidents and people I have to deal, which I liken to the film Forrest Gump and his famous line: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get!”

Every day is different and sometimes the city can throw up some very unusual jobs. It could be as simple as helping somebody by giving directions, or much more difficult task such as helping to locate a missing person with learning difficulties or a wanted criminal.

What was your first issue you dealt with?

My first issue that I dealt in the city would be hard to remember, but I was very keen on identifying and dealing with cycle thieves. When I started I had a sixth sense and became very good at locating, identifying and sometimes detaining cycle thieves in the act, after gathering intelligence from the community and reviewing CCTV footage.

I personally thrive on locating and identifying cycle thieves in the city and chase up any leads I can to try and bring them to justice.

And your most recent issue you dealt with?

Working in partnership with the store detectives within the city centre, we managed to detain a group of five travelling criminals that were responsible for a high-value theft within the city. We also located a car that they were using to travel around the country to commit crime which was later seized. One of the suspects that tried to sneak away under the radar was detained by myself and later found to have a European arrest warrant in his name for an incident in Spain. All of the group were arrested and dealt with in custody for a number of offences.

Can you tell us about a funny incident that’s happened when you were on duty?

We received information that a wanted guy was in the city centre and he was a premium athlete of very large build. Myself and several other officers organised a plan to detain this man knowing he would run and possibly fight with us.

He was located in a court yard with an exit at each end. I decided to stand guard at one end of the court yard on my own whilst the others approached him from the other. As they approached him he began to run, throwing tables and chairs out of the way as he travelled towards me on my own at the other end of the court yard. I saw him approaching with several officers giving chase behind him.

I grabbed a plastic council road barrier to use as a fence to barricade him in, but he just barged past me like I wasn’t even there! I gave chase and heard an officer shout “taser, taser” and he was shot with the taser in the jacket, which he simply removed and carried on running. I managed to grab hold of one arm and the off-duty sergeant grabbed his other arm, but the guy just kept running with us hanging from his arms until I heard the words “taser taser” shouted once more.

With this I knew what was coming so I let go. Unfortunately my colleague did not and both he and the wanted man were tasered. The suspect shouted “fair enough, I give up” like nothing had happened. The off-duty sergeant was slightly less pleased!

You had to be there to see it for yourself. The main thing was that we got our man working as a team, and we still laugh every time we talk about it down at the station.

What one message would you most like to get across to the public?

Always look after yourself, your family, your friends and your belongings. If you’re visiting and socialising at night in York, it’s important to keep safe by staying with your friends and stay away from the rivers.

Other than that, have a great time and enjoy our beautiful city.