Focus on Littleborough: Neighbourhood Constable Kay McCaffrey

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Neighbourhood Constable Kay McCaffrey

PC Kay McCaffrey has been a police officer in Rochdale for the past 25 years.

This year she joined the Littleborough police force because she wanted to see another part of Rochdale.

PC McCaffrey has lived in Rochdale all her life and comes from the Balderstone area of the borough. She is 43 years old and has been in the police since she was 18 years old.

“I always wanted to be in the police, I’m not sure why, my parents aren’t in the police or anything like that but I just thought it would be something that would suit me,” she said.

Following 25 years in the force it would seem the role as a police officer suits PC McCaffrey very well.

PC McCaffrey described her job as “brilliant” she said: “I like the people I work with, I enjoy team work and I like the fact that I am outside.

“I also like people, a lot.”

Speaking about the changes in the police force over the years PC McCaffrey said: “Policing outside is no different to when I joined, policing regulations are constantly changing so you have to keep your mind fresh for the things we do indoors, because databases are continually changing.”

After 25 years PC McCaffrey often gets asked about promotion, she said: “I joined to be a police officer on a community level – I have never really been interested in promotion. I have plenty of aspirations but promotion isn’t one of them. I have carried out a variety of roles over the years, I have gone full circle but my favourite role is uniform policing.”

PC McCaffrey has five years left in the force under the current regulation, and she decided to move to Littleborough to see another part of the borough over the coming five years.

She explained why she chose Littleborough: “It is a beautiful place, it is very scenic, and looking out of the window seeing the countryside makes me much more optimistic for the day.

“Littleborough is beautiful, of course there are many stressful days but on the days where it is a little quieter or there’s some down time there is plenty to do.

“The people here are also really nice and friendly and there is a real community in Littleborough – everyone is well established.”

When asked what the future holds PC McCaffrey said: “I don’t look to the future, I just live every day as it comes.”

PC McCaffrey is married, to a police officer, and has two children, in her spare time she enjoys being outdoors and walking her dog.