I spent 30 years in the police service and I’ve been retired from that for 18 years.
This piece made me laugh. Each of the characters could have featured at any point in the operational part of my career.
Why? Because there has been no movement, drive or policy to improve parenting, social conditions or support young people like the 6 to 10 nameless products of Ryan’s indiscriminate, heroic even, ejaculatory exploits. What lives will they have?
History repeats itself, if we let it.
Probation officers do good and difficult work.
There is a need however to start at the beginning and create a society supported by services that reduce initial offending and other socially damaging behaviours.
Oh and decent employment, housing and wages might help a bit.
Brilliantly written, funny & poignant at the same time. It’s good to remind us of the sterling work you do that often goes unrecognised while others get gongs.
Dear Bear, good morning. What an interesting, witty insight into probation. Like most work we don’t appreciate the demands of someone’s job. I have very limited experience of the probation service but the lack of continuity (different officers for each meeting) was detrimental to the person I knew. Takes a special person to absorb all the extremes of the people under their care.
Ahhh... So readable, so moving, genuinely funny in parts, delightful writing... And yet, in many ways, so heartbreaking too... Thank you, once again, dearest Bear 🐻 for sharing your space with such a worthwhile contribution ❤️🙏🙌😘 Xx
Such a great read and a natural collaboration, if I may add, because if there were justice (and common sense) in this world, many of the subjects that feature regularly in Bearly Politics would eventually end up in a situation that would lead them to a lovely chat with Andy. The anecdotes we are missing...
I spent 30 years in the police service and I’ve been retired from that for 18 years.
This piece made me laugh. Each of the characters could have featured at any point in the operational part of my career.
Why? Because there has been no movement, drive or policy to improve parenting, social conditions or support young people like the 6 to 10 nameless products of Ryan’s indiscriminate, heroic even, ejaculatory exploits. What lives will they have?
History repeats itself, if we let it.
Probation officers do good and difficult work.
There is a need however to start at the beginning and create a society supported by services that reduce initial offending and other socially damaging behaviours.
Oh and decent employment, housing and wages might help a bit.
And to rather support my point it seems 1 in 4 children are not toilet trained when they start school.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/22/children-england-start-school-without-being-toilet-trained-teachers
Andy is a comedic genius and one of my favourite Substackers. All his material is solid comedy gold.
Brilliantly written, funny & poignant at the same time. It’s good to remind us of the sterling work you do that often goes unrecognised while others get gongs.
Just about crying with laughter over some of these, even though I know I shouldn't be.
Andy tends to have that effect on people 😂
Dear Bear, good morning. What an interesting, witty insight into probation. Like most work we don’t appreciate the demands of someone’s job. I have very limited experience of the probation service but the lack of continuity (different officers for each meeting) was detrimental to the person I knew. Takes a special person to absorb all the extremes of the people under their care.
Ahhh... So readable, so moving, genuinely funny in parts, delightful writing... And yet, in many ways, so heartbreaking too... Thank you, once again, dearest Bear 🐻 for sharing your space with such a worthwhile contribution ❤️🙏🙌😘 Xx
Awww, the Leeds United origami owl brought a big sloppy grin to my face!
Such a great read and a natural collaboration, if I may add, because if there were justice (and common sense) in this world, many of the subjects that feature regularly in Bearly Politics would eventually end up in a situation that would lead them to a lovely chat with Andy. The anecdotes we are missing...