Not so long ago Police Constable Edward Walker aka Eddy set off on his travels with the support of Durham Constabulary.
Since then there has been no stopping him as he managed to stop off at Northumbria Police, Cleveland Police & now he is taking West Yorkshire Police by storm.
Eddy is the one teddy everyone wants to get their hands on within the social media world of policing. He is causing so much excitement within the world of Twitter and it is truly fantastic.
Best of all Eddy set off on his travels for the sole purpose of raising awareness and donations for COPS a UK charity.
Eddy has already made a name for himself after getting a Tweet from non-other than Newcastle United Football Club wishing him luck after he arrived at ST James Park.
https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/912614181291139072
While Eddy was at ST James Park he managed to spend some valuable days with the Northumbria Police Central engagement team when he attended a disability, diversity and inclusion. While here they took great care of him and taught him the importance of Equality and being you is not a crime.
He spent some time with a lovely ex-police officer named June who shared her policing photo from 1964. Eddy found this such a great honour to learn from the best and took with him valuable lifelong skills from his visit.
https://twitter.com/NPCENGTEAM/status/913039119789543424
Since Eddy left Northumbria Police he has been lucky to spend some time shadowing Chief Constable Dee Collins. Spending lots of time with the senior team, he watched lots of important presentations before passing his message to fellow teds.
Since then he has been lucky to spend some time shadowing Chief Constable Dee Collins, spending lots of time with the senior team, he watched lots of important presentations before passing his message to fellow teds.
From there he headed to the West York Police Force control room and even went out on patrol with a certain well-known PCSO who features in the Police Twitter Awards, Maybe Ted has his eyes on the awards after spending all that time with the Best Tweeting Chief Constable of the Year.
Leg Three West Yorkshire Police
After a long journey from Northumbria Police Eddy arrived at West Yorkshire Police HQ, as he arrived he was very excited and looking forward to meeting many officers. His first port of call was @WYP_BAWP.
@PCEdwardWalker from @UK_COPS (Care of Police Survivors) came and visited us yesterday before he going out visiting the Force pic.twitter.com/FkH9vXm15K
— WestYorksPolice BAWP (@WYP_BAWP) October 10, 2017
Eddy was quick to get noticed within West Yorkshire and wanted to meet with the Best Tweeting Chief Constable Dee Collins, seeking advice on how he should tweet because he couldn’t really work it out knowing that this was one of the CC strengths he leapt at the chance or did he just have his eyes set on those awards?
1st meeting of the day with @PCEdwardWalker who is shadowing me for a couple of days giving me advice about @UK_COPS & also general policing pic.twitter.com/1sr6vcPnx7
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 10, 2017
He was quick to jump at the chance to shadow one of the most inspirational women within British policing. Together they went off to brief Eddy on the Police and Crime plan.
Arrived at the @WestYorksOPCC to meet with @MarkBW_WY for our weekly catch up & to brief @PCEdwardWalker of our Police and Crime Plan pic.twitter.com/AuDu5WOWTK
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 10, 2017
Eddy really enjoyed the meeting and was able to take a lot away with him. He had lots to think about before he headed off.
Good meeting with the PCC & @WestYorksOPCC Exec team – very happy to support @PCEdwardWalker raise awareness of @UK_COPS #workingtogether pic.twitter.com/RBwj44bmgV
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 10, 2017
But Eddy spotted a camera, The last time he did this he stole a slot on the Police Interceptors, this could be his chance to get noticed and swoop the best tweeting police bear award at this year’s Police Twitter Awards…. Come on Eddy he was thinking.
Looks like @PCEdwardWalker is finding out about our @WestYorksPolice media imaging team to boost his profile & that of @UK_COPS #goodcause pic.twitter.com/TMZbuqBbmU
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 10, 2017
After all those pictures Eddy decided to hunt out the snacks, he was starting to get hungry after all that work.
All of a sudden he bumped into one of the Police Twitter Awards Finalists he was star struck as he filled his paws.
It was only Police Community Support Officer Sarah Barberini. He knew he only had one chance to make sure PCSO Barberini would work with him, maybe later.
Look who found the tuck shop #PCEdwardTours #PCEdwardWalker @UK_COPS #hungrywork pic.twitter.com/H6w5Hy0V9F
— PC Sarah Barberini (@WYP_SBarberini) October 10, 2017
After making arrangements to go out another day Eddy was back with Dee talking about the importance of Force Accountability with Meg Ininns. He really enjoyed the company of Meg, such a wonderful lady he thought.
@PCEdwardWalker arrived @ Normanton 4 the @WestYorksPolice Force Accountability meeting & with Meg Ininns who is shadowing @WYPDeeCollins pic.twitter.com/O4zjkuRXvO
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 11, 2017
Next Eddy wanted to learn some leadership skills he was so excited that he grabbed one of the front seats.
@PCEdwardWalker attended the leadership session at Kirklees HQ today & grabbed a front row seat – more awareness raising 4@UK_COPS #support pic.twitter.com/zIXFZxQktF
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 11, 2017
Eddy told Angela Williams that he was very impressed with their 999 performance. He decided he must visit the contact centre.
https://twitter.com/WYPAngelaWill/status/918247052341071872
999 whats your emergency, Eddy was now on his first emergency call, he jumped straight in there he just wanted to do his bit to make a difference and help another.
@PCEdwardWalker is now trained up and has already dealt with an emergency call! @UK_COPS should be extremely proud! #PCEdwardTours pic.twitter.com/dUwNnGyQSm
— WYP Contact Management Centre (@WYP_Contact) October 11, 2017
Following his call Eddy was supported by another member of the Forces Contact Centre to guide him in the right direction.
@PCEdwardWalker from @UK_COPS is currently been trained up ready to assist with your calls. He is learning fast! #PCEdwardTours pic.twitter.com/HY3hvNUzZW
— WYP Contact Management Centre (@WYP_Contact) October 11, 2017
After a 12 hour night shift in the West Yorkshire Contact Centre Eddy was raring to go and decided he wanted to pay a little visit to some four-legged friends.
PH Marley & PH Seth managed to get a pic with our Chief Constable @WYPDeeCollins and police bear 🐻 @PCEdwardWalker at the awards on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/X4AeD2XSlp
— WY Police Horses (@WYPHorses) October 12, 2017
Marley was not having any of it, Eddy get a suitable riding hat on or you’re not coming out with me.
Marley looks a bit concerned about @PCEdwardWalker's choice of riding hat pic.twitter.com/H6n2cPS4J4
— WY Police Horses (@WYPHorses) October 12, 2017
Next Eddy was off to promote diversity and difference within West Yorkshire Police with some fellow friends.
@PCEdwardWalker encouraging other Police Bears to promote diversity & difference within @WestYorksPolice #comeandjoinus #representation pic.twitter.com/BsdziN9Uov
— Dee Collins (@DeeMCollins) October 12, 2017
Yes, the day has finally come that Eddy gets to work with one of the Police Twitter Award Finalists, he wants to learn from the best here. He was delighted to be announced as a new starter. That award must be within his sights now.
We’ve had a visit from our new PCSO who is starting with us at the end of the month. @PCEdwardWalker is keeping an eye on the buns #Team pic.twitter.com/szf5cOtyeG
— PC Sarah Barberini (@WYP_SBarberini) October 13, 2017
Dedicated to the job and eager to make some good first impressions with PCSO Barberini he decided he would help fill out the digital record for a section 59 warning. Phew thinking Eddy i managed to get out of making the brews.
@PCEdwardWalker is helping me digitally record a Sec 59 warning ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/IEyarDRqo1
— PC Sarah Barberini (@WYP_SBarberini) October 13, 2017
A quick check of PCSO Barberini boots and they are off out on patrol. Very shiney indeed he added.
@PCEdwardWalker has Ben checking that my boots have been suitably cleaned and are ready for patrols #PCEdwardsTours pic.twitter.com/MbHU2e9H5N
— PC Sarah Barberini (@WYP_SBarberini) October 14, 2017
Next, he decided he would visit Cohort 6… All at the ready line up for inspection… Come on now.
Cohort 6 was visited by @PCEdwardWalker for training and inspection @WYP_FTSSpecials @WYP_Training @WYP_SBarberini@UK_COPS #PCEdwardWalker pic.twitter.com/bvnzt50TYK
— A/SO 7019 JONES (@WYP_RickyJones) October 14, 2017
PSCO Barberini was soon onto his plans to take the best tweeting bear at the police twitter awards and chucked him in the cells, before releasing him and thanking him for his time.
It’s been great working with @PCEdwardWalker he’s off to see the rest of #TeamWYP @DDOJB07 @UK_COPS #PCEdwardsTours #PCEdwardWalker pic.twitter.com/CmDoiNEv4W
— PC Sarah Barberini (@WYP_SBarberini) October 14, 2017
Yes another camera, I have time to reclaim my fame and take to the big screen move over police interceptors I’ve got my own show now West Yorkshire 999.
While he was here, @PCEdwardWalker also had a play in the Media room . . . . @UK_COPS @WYP_Training pic.twitter.com/rGbPJUZn5q
— WYP Digital Learning (@WYP_iLearnTeam) October 16, 2017
Next Eddy was off to see Police Sergeant Chirs Dibbs to learn about leadership and professional development.
https://twitter.com/WYP_PSDibbs/status/919937783137005568
He quickly took the opportunity for another photo with Sarah Baker and Andy From the West Yorkshire Police media team.
https://twitter.com/WYP_PSDibbs/status/919915574393737218
Eddy was then introduced to the West Yorkshire Police Training Centre and meet with Cohort 13A/B. Wishing them all good luck.
@PCEdwardWalker he is traveling around the UK #Police Forces, in aid of @UK_COPS. Pictured here with Cohort 13A/B pic.twitter.com/eJgFkJBmdE
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 17, 2017
Next, he took the opportunity to give some advice to members of the performance, conduct and welfare class for first line managers.
@PCEdwardWalker giving advice to members of the Performance, Conduct & Welfare class for 1st line managers. pic.twitter.com/lNABYeUw53
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 17, 2017
And then he was off to meet some new officers on their second day with West Yorkshire Police
@PCEdwardWalker with our newest officers #daytwo pic.twitter.com/yMnaImsGrt
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 17, 2017
And decided to help Cohort 12 A/B with their IT instruction.
@PCEdwardWalker helping 12 A/B with their IT instruction pic.twitter.com/HW3GicEtX6
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 17, 2017
Next, it was a lesson in first aid, one of the most important aspects of police training when responding to a critical situation.
Here's @PCEdwardWalker assisting with our first aid class pic.twitter.com/Mj3Ump9v93
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 17, 2017
After a fantastic couple of days at Carr Gate Eddy was eager to show off everything he had been shown to Ossett Brownies.
@PCEdwardWalker @WYP_Training showing Ossett Brownies what we do at Carr Gate. pic.twitter.com/nn1WAAvvK0
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 18, 2017
However he had his sights on NPAS Carr Gate, Maybe he will be the eye in the sky next?
Some more photos @PCEdwardWalker at Carr Gate with the Ossett Brownies pic.twitter.com/jX0G6WHC6d
— WYP Training & Development Centre (@WYP_Training) October 18, 2017
For now, it’s a sleepover with PC Sally Baines…. Goodnight Eddy. Don’t be making too much noise.
https://twitter.com/WYP_SallyB/status/920750119045206017
Why the tour?
Eddy was sent on his travels by Durham Police so that we could raise further awareness and funds for COPS Charity, We wanted a creative way to have some fun and along the way raise some money for a good cause.
UK Cops are dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives in relation to their duty, to rebuild their lives and we wanted to do our little bit.
Julia Berry has been doing running lately and wanted to use her running to raise money for her chosen charity.
She has already taken on the Cops 30 Miler, The Great North Run, ending at the Birmingham International Marathon.
You can keep track Jules runs and where Eddy is at on his tour by following @PCEdwardWalker #PCWalkerTours
About COPS
COPS is the UK charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives in relation to their duty, to rebuild their lives.
Since being founded in 2003, they have helped hundreds of families shattered by the loss of their police officer. They aim to ensure that surviving family members have all the help they need
to cope with such a tragedy and they remain part of the police family.
What COPS do
COPS is a peer support charity, enabling Survivors from around the UK to support other Survivors in practical ways. They arrange local and national events that enable Survivors to build friendships and bonds that support them through the good times and bad.
Families are rightly proud of their officer and COPS to help ensure that they remain part of the police family.
Please Donate
If you are wanting to make a donation to UK Cops please donate via Jules Just Giving Page.