Is this normal - police officer texting me

[Whatnext074]

Most of you know my situation with my H leaving 4 weeks ago as he's having an affair with a woman at work - and I'm struggling, really struggling.

A week after he left, something was stolen in my garden, this has happened before but now I'm on my own, I feel especially vulnerable. I encountered a violent robbery by 5 men when I was pregnant and I still get nightmares.

I called the police and a PCSO came to see me, gave me advice on how I can secure the house etc and gave me his work mobile number. He said to call or text him whenever I heard a noise or just felt something wasn't right. He insisted, anytime and he or someone else would be out in minutes. I felt safe and thought he was very kind.

About 30 minutes after he left, he text me to remind him to contact him for anything. A week later, he text me again asking how I was etc etc. There were about 5 texts. I thanked him for remembering me and he said he always remembers the nice people.

I felt like I had my own personal security guard and felt he was being so kind - still do. Made me smile for first time in months. It doesn't hurt to let the police know that I'm on my own either.

I told my DB how nice he'd been and checking up on me and my DB said I need to be careful, that I am vulnerable and it's not normal procedure for him to do that. I think my DB is just being protective, I think this guy just takes pride in his work and has a caring attitude - he's very young too and probably is keen to do his job to the best he can.

It's been playing on my mind since with what my DB said. What do you think? Is it normal?

Thank you for all your advice, I'll take it on board.

It looks like the key issue is whether this is really a work phone or not.

But the nice people comment would raise an alarm for me.

It is a work mobile, I looked up his contact details online.

My DH (a police sargeant) went to a burglary victims house. She was really lovely and insisted on making him a slice if cake and a cup of tea. She really didn't want him to leave and said it was her birthday the next day and that she doesn't get visitors or have family. The next day my DH and his colleague went to her house with a bunch of flowers for her. Is this normal practice? No!!! But as she was 92 I didn't need to worry about competition!! Lol some coppers/pcso are caring (obviously some arent and have an alternative motive) but it pisses me off with the amount of bashing police get for "they are all unfaithful" bolloxs!! No they are not! Every place where I have worked you get unfaithful people, men and women! My point is.... This guy might genuinely being nice. I'd will still be cautious if he suggest meeting up or something but... I know part of my DH job (and PCSOs) is victim support and especially for vulnerable people!! They are really pushing this at the moment to help increase public perception. Sorry, that turned into a bit if a rant but wanted to say that not all police are unfaithful perverts that are out to take advantage!

gary not sure your 100% correct there about 'team phones' . My DH's work phone is his and his alone. It's at home when he's not working so nobody else would answer it when he's not on duty.

Our house was burgled and a year later our car broken into. DH was out of the country both times, so technically I was alone. The police were brilliant both times and I did get phone calls afterwards, usually from the same police officer. After the second incedent, the PO called to give me updates on how the investigation was going, and then again to say the culprits had been caught and then again to aay they were imprisoned. I think I was getting special treatment as DH away and young kids at home etc. Not because he fancied me! I think I am probably old enough to be his Mum!

Possibly this is a new way of policing in some areas now that local police stations have been closed down?

I also find it deeply offensive to hear the 'all police officers are unfaithful perverts' line, as, when in the police force I haven't come across any more unfaithful perverts than I did when I worked in engineering or manufacturing. Some people in the job do go above and beyond because they actually care.
IMO, a pcso is more likely to have a team phone than for eg a PS, who will have their own, and will also be encouraged to check base and reassure, particularly if a complainer is deemed vulnerable. However, op, by all means if you feel uncomfortable, then do report it. The only way to improve the force is to weed out the bad eggs.

Our local PCSO regularly texts me with regard to an ongoing issue we have, but its not from his personal phone. I think the PCSOs are the new approachable face of community policing. He also calls round at least once a fortnight. If my husband wasn't here, I might have thought about it more and wondered if it was slightly inappropriate, but I think its just the way they do things now.

We are in a small town where everyone calls the local police by their first names though.

In my work myself and my service users have contact with PO's and PCSO's, they regularly call up or text after any incidents to check on things, as some of my SU's are very vulnerable. Unless the texts continue and get more 'intimate', I would put it down to a zealous PCSO.

Sounds to me like he's just being nice. He's a human being after all not just a uniform.

I think it is inappropriate and also very bad advice. If you are threatened you phone 999 not the pcso's mobile. I think you should call the station to ask if it is alright because it is unnerving you.

Some police officers/PCSOs are nasty like some people are nasty. You should not expect them all to be or none of them to be perverts tbh. Go from their behaviour towards you, and this is weird and inappropriate in my mind.