‘Policing is a very challenging job and it is always police officers that are the ones there to pick up the pieces’.

Frontline Police Chaplain Andrew Hawkins celebrates twenty years of being a Met Police Chaplain across East Area.

“I have always been a frontline police chaplain out and about with officers. I can see how difficult the role of the police officer has become and how they face a lot more pressures and demands now that they used to,” tells us Police Chaplain Andrew.

Andrew prides himself in making sure that he is out there to support all his officers locally across east area and has done this role for the last twenty years.

Andrew first became Met Police volunteer chaplain in 2003 in Barking and Dagenham and from there he became a full time police chaplain.

“I was at the London City Mission where I was approved as a chaplain and became the volunteer police chaplain in my local Barking and Dagenham area alongside being the chaplain for the Becontree estate.

“I then took the role on full time and became chaplain for Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge too and have been here ever since.”

Next week Andrew receives his ten year award at New Scotland Yard to recognise all the incredible voluntary work he has done across east area to support our police officers.

“I go out regularly with police officers on shifts. When I began doing this role I soon realised that there was no one there to support officers, especially with their pastoral care.

“I put myself forward to do safety training and first aid training so that I could go out on shifts with them regularly. For me the role is being out there to support them and assist them.

“The Borough Commander years ago even gave me his body armour which I still have to this day!”

Andrew prides himself in being out on the front line with officers on a regular basis and being as visible as he can.

“It is important to look after officer’s needs as well as getting involved with the public.

“I can see just how much the role of a police officer has changed. They face a lot more demands now than they used to.

“The level of mental health calls received has increased incredibly. There are so many calls from desperate people who are suicidal due to the cost of living crisis. People who cannot afford heating or shopping and it is always the police that are there to pick up the pieces.

“Being out on patrol allows me to also help the public and guide them towards the right services to help them.”

Andrew really has been outstanding in his role and has been very dedicated to supporting officers locally.

“You only ever hear the bad stories of officers, but there are so many more amazing stories that they achieve every day that never get told. The majority of police officers are good people.”

The police chaplain has always made sure that he was very visible for officers to see and reach if they needed him.

“It really is important to support officer’s well being and pastoral side, they do such a difficult job that it is vital people are out there to support them.”

Andrew has lived all his life in Havering and east London and really has done a truly fantastic job supporting officer’s well being for twenty years.

Well done Andrew!

Support Local Journalism
We at The Havering Daily appreciate your support of quality journalism. Your generous donation, no matter the size, allows us to continue bringing unbiased and informative news to the community. Your contribution helps us maintain our independence and allows us to continue providing high-quality journalism. Thank you for valuing the work we do and for supporting our mission

Thank you

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.