Information on Loughborough

Keeping it in the family on the North

Posted on 13/06/2008

A father and his two sons are taking the phrase ‘police family' quite literally - because all three of them are patrolling the streets in the North of Leicestershire.

55 year old Dave Falle has worked for the police for 22 years.  He was a Traffic Warden for 16 years before becoming a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in 2003.   He has always been based on the North and is currently at Loughborough.

His first son, 35 year old Stuart, joined Leicestershire Constabulary three years ago after serving in the Royal Navy.  Like his father, he is a PCSO and has been based in Coalville ever since he joined.

Dave's second son, 29 year old Chris Falle, left a job in a car spares shop to become a Traffic Warden and became a police officer in 2002.  He is now a general duty officer based at Syston police station having just spent one and a half years as a neighbourhood beat officer in Birstall.

Proud father, PCSO Dave Falle, said; "It is complete co-incidence that all three of us are based on the North although we have never worked on the same beats.  Serving the community is in the Falle family blood.  My brother was a policeman, a cousin of mine is also an officer and another cousin is a Special Police Constable.

"We all place a great deal of importance on working in the community.  You have to change with the times and I think the advent of the PCSO has been great and is definitely the way forward.  I was in the first group of PCSOs to be appointed in Leicestershire and I've loved doing the job.  From the very first day I went out I could see a difference in people who all said how lovely it was to see me.  It's changed my life really, I think the role provides an excellent service to the community, PCSOs are visible on the streets, we make lots of house calls to victims of crime to offer support and advice and I encouraged my sons to join because I have enjoyed it so much.  The people within the police force are also fantastic to work with.

"We are a close family and we all live on the North.  I have a thirty two year old daughter too and, although, she isn't in the police I would encourage her to join if she wanted to.  

PC Chris Falle said; "Dad has always enjoyed his job and encouraged me to join, he was concerned that I needed a good steady career with a family of my own.

"I had never thought about being a police officer, even though Dad worked for Leicestershire Constabulary and my uncle had been very successful as a police officer in Jersey States Police but once I started to work as a Traffic Warden I got to see what the police really do and found myself thinking, ‘I can do that, I'll give it a go.'

"The job can be a challenge, you work long hours but the rewards compensate.  It's a job you can get a real sense of achievement from, helping all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds but the best thing about it is knowing my Dad's proud of what I'm doing." 

PCSO Stuart Falle said; "Dad had a lot to do with my decision to become a PCSO.  From the minute I told him I had put my notice in at the Navy he was trying to persuade me to join and he made me realise that being a PCSO would give me job security and give me the opportunity to help people in the community.  People keep telling me I should apply to be a Police Officer but, for now, I am very happy doing what I am doing. When you have a good day you get home and think I've done something worthwhile today and made a difference to someone's life, which is great."

Issued on 13/06/08 at 09:00