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From the frontline - Berni Green
Berni Green, anti-social behaviour officer at Hyde, on criminology and the importance of making a difference
What does your job involve?
Investigating all reported anti-social behaviour cases, focusing on the victim. I work closely with local agencies including the police, other social housing providers, community groups and local authorities, with the ultimate goal of improving community safety. I’m part of a specialised team of four officers covering Bexley, Greenwich, Southwark and Lewisham.
How did you get into housing?
I worked in a London West End theatre for nearly 20 years and although I loved my job, I felt something was lacking and I didn’t feel I was achieving my full potential. I’ve always been fascinated by people and I wanted a job that could make a real difference to people’s lives. I saw this opportunity in social housing.
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Is it ever frightening approaching tenants accused of anti-social behaviour?
It can be. I make it very clear at the first interview that I have no preconceived ideas about them and I tell them that this is their opportunity to talk openly, but how the resident might react is still a concern.
My style is open, honest and respectful; I’m not here to judge – I’m here to help and resolve the issue. The team has been equipped with personal safety devices and we attend training sessions on a regular basis to make sure we know what to do in certain situations.
What is your dream job?
I would have loved to have been a doctor as I’m fascinated by human anatomy and how it all works. I’m also interested in criminology, so maybe I could have been a criminologist and a doctor, like Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder.
What does a good day look like?
One where you feel like you’re making real progress on a case and you contact the victim for an update and they say the situation has improved after your actions.
How about a bad one?
When a case stagnates through no fault of your own, maybe due to waiting for a court date, and the situation is still going on for the victim. It’s frustrating being unable to make processes quicker.
What’s the first thing you’d do if you became prime minister?
I would make sure my ministers went to public places like shopping centres to listen to real people.
What’s the most private thing you would be willing to admit to your colleagues?
We’re very close and they know pretty much everything, but they may not know I have size 9.5 feet!
