Essex Police Constable goes viral after Coronation drumming solo
PC Jake Mabey took to the drums at a local street party
An Essex Police Constable has blown up the internet after taking to a set of drums at a Coronation street party in Theydon Bois.
PC Jake Mabey was out on the beat with colleagues from Epping Forest and Brentwood Community Policing Team, when he utilised skills he got as a teenager, and played along to Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.
The officers were out patrolling more than 30 street parties, but for PC Jake this one gave him a very special solo opportunity - despite not having played in 10 years!
Locals joked after the set that PC Mabey should be available for christenings and weddings, after he was greeted with a round of applause.
The internet took hold of the video, turning Jake into a sensation!
As well as drumming it into people that there are serious repercussions for breaking the law, Jake believes it’s vital for officers to be visible in the local community and show the person behind the badge.
He said: “At every street party we went to, people assumed they were in trouble when we turned up and they’d turn the music down, but when we told them we were only there to say hello, it would come back to life!
“The minute I started playing everyone turned around or jumped up. They were clapping and dancing - I don’t think many people were expecting me to jump on the kit. It was a great reaction, everyone loved it.”
Jake was a Special Constable for four years before he became a PC, and combined it with his job as a youth worker.
He said: “Community policing is all about being approachable, interacting with the public and building those long-term relationships. That’s what I really enjoy.
“It’s very different as a regular from being a Special but good fun. Would I recommend becoming a police officer? Definitely,” he said.