Why must the police learn to say “no”? In this honest and thought-provoking second episode with Dr. Simon Guilfoyle — retired inspector, author, systems thinker, and creator of Stick Child — we explore how policing became overloaded with responsibilities far beyond its remit.
Simon reflects on his viral 2011 blog that challenged police forces to push back against unrealistic expectations and reclaim their core role. From handling mental health crises without legal powers to being pulled into non-crime duties, Simon makes the case for boundaries — and smarter performance management.
Takeaways
- Policing is being stretched into non-police work — often dangerously.
- Saying “yes” to everything risks public safety and officer wellbeing.
- Simon’s 2011 blog sparked national conversation on boundaries.
- Many jobs attended by police involve no policing powers or risk.
- Unrealistic performance targets distort officer decision-making.
- “Stick Child” uses humour to expose poor metrics and assumptions.
- Good data visualisation beats targets: control charts vs. league tables.
- Simon now supports reform through The Performance Doctor consultancy.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro: Why Police Must Learn to Say No
00:40 – The Blog That Sparked a Conversation
02:00 – Taking on Work That Isn’t Policing
06:00 – Performance Pressures and Gaming the System
10:00 – Stick Child and Why It Works
12:00 – From Constable to PhD: Simon’s Journey
13:00 – Invitation to Learn More and Final Thoughts
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