Jack Rowlands

Chief Inspector - Violence Reduction Unit

Case Study

How would you like to be described?

I really liked this question and have reflected on it with my family and friends, who laughed initially! I think most people will describe me as enthusiastic, determined and positive. If people laugh at my jokes it’s a bonus but really if people see me as compassionate and having a kind heart that’s what would make me happy.

How would you describe what you do?

First and foremost I would talk about my role as a police officer first and foremost but over the years developed a niche in my career focussed heavily on wanting to help young people move away from the danger of violence and crime. It resonates with me deeply and something I feel I am starting to make an impact in. I work on DIVERT that I started in 2015 that helps young people who come into custody into employment, education and training this has led to further investment for the programme across the country. I now work at the Violence Reduction Unit in London working on trying to make a bigger impact in reducing violence.

What is your greatest achievement?

Being and continuing to be a Dad, being a decent husband to my wife and having maintained a close friendship with people I have known since school.

What was the cause or ’trigger for this journey of making the world a better place through being useful and kind? And how old were you? When did you realise you could make a difference?

Such a tricky question. Personally for many years I have tried and failed and tried and failed again at helping someone very close to me to make the right choice. Police officers join “the job” for many reasons mostly related to their own experiences growing up. The accumulation of dealing with trauma and victims of murder in the police resonates with you deeply, so professionally you always think “ what can I do to stop this?” My catalyst, from a professional perspective, was meeting George Hosking the CEO of the WAVE Trust on a train in 2005. I interrupted his conversation that he was having about what the Met Police can do in order to tackle the root causes of violence. My ears pricked up, I went over and he gave me a copy of their report “Violence and what to do about it”. It was the first ever report I read where a lightbulb truly went off. It had real emphasis on the importance of diversion. I became a trustee of WAVE ten years later and am still involved with them. It was in 2011 I started to dabble in the research and created Jobs Fairs on Stockwell Park Estate, getting young people who I would come across into employment, education and training. It was rewarding and really worthwhile but very intense. In 2015 I was having a coffee in Brixton custody and realised I could bring all those people in to talk to those young people whilst they are in custody. Turn police custody into one of opportunity and hope not just detention. It’s now part of my life and can’t leave it behind. When you see a young person find employment and turn their life around there is no better feeling.

Was it something your parents are/would have been proud of and encouraged?

Both my parents were really pleased I joined the police but get frequent encouragement and support from them about what I am doing now.

Who or what were your early influences?

Big question with so many that have helped. I certainly think my Dad has always been a big influence in my life but in recent years my wife, who I have known since I was 17, my father in law and George who I mentioned earlier

What were you doing at 16?

At sixteen I was working as a labourer during the summer, I was earning £200 a week cash in hand, enjoying France 98 and living the life a 16 year old should. I wasn’t and have never been academic but always enjoyed the company of my peers and grasped life by the reins

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

Stop for a minute before you make that reckless decision, just take a moment. Listen and take advice from people who love you.

What advice would you give to other young people?

I think in some ways the same. I believe only a fraction of young people are truly going out of their way to harm others, most who I come in contact with have made a bad decision or have listened to the wrong advice from people who don’t care about them. I would always encourage them to pause, listen and think of the bigger picture. Tricky at 16 so that’s why it’s important for us all to step up and be that responsible voice.

What has been the most difficult challenge on the way and how did you overcome it?

A really tough life and death experience which resonated for some time. I overcame it through bravery, openness, listening and learning. By trying to be Useful and Kind.

What do you think are the changes we need to see in the world and how can being U&K help solve those things?

I fundamentally believe we need a paradigm shift in investing in early years. We need to support and provide assistance to parents, babies and children at the very beginning. We need to empower parents and support them during those critical years. We then need to maintain that investment so that as a whole society we can reap the rewards in the future. Will take a brave government to do that I know but that’s what’s needed.

How are you useful and kind to yourself - what helps and hinders?

This has taken many years to refine, in fact I would say I have only been actively useful and kind to myself in the last ten years. I love, I run and laugh with friends but most of all I try not to be hard on myself and now start giving myself some more time to take responsibility for my own kindness

How are you both useful and kind to others (the easy ones and those who are more difficult to be U&K to)?

I think the best gift you can give anyone is your time. Your time to listen, your time to understand and your time to support. This applied to me at home and at work, especially young people who are in police custody. Our coaches say they are always grateful for your time.

What is your biggest challenge in the future?

Maintaining that investment and the attention early intervention deserves. I fear we will become even more short term focussed in society so we need to influence longer-term investment as much as possible.

What do you wish you had done differently?
To have believed in myself and been my own friend sooner.