I think I always had a subconscious interest in becoming a Police Officer. Throughout my life I had always tried to help people and was conscious of my surroundings.
Michael - Intervention PC
I love that every day is different. Some days, you are truly thanked for the work that you do and it's nice knowing that you have made a positive impact on someone's life.
Zoey - PC, Operational Support Group
I joined in 2007 because I wanted to help those who can't help themselves, but on top of that, I joined because I wanted to help change my community's views about the role.
Kash - Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector
Because every day is different whatever the role and also the opportunities open to you are so varied.
Sarah - Detective Inspector, Domestic Abuse Investigation & Safeguarding Unit
A Police Officer is an individual who brings their own set of skills and experience to the role; they underpin their practice and service with the same code of ethics as all their colleagues no matter what their rank.
A Police Officer places safety and ethical practice at the heart of their contact with the community they serve. The work is extremely rewarding and you will have the chance to make a positive impact on your community.
It is worth considering that a Police Officer may be many things to the community they serve.
There will be people to whom you will be a fixer, problem solver or mediator; for others you will be the eyes and ears they desperately need during the worst times of their lives. There will be those who recognise your heroic and brave actions and others who will perceive you as a threat and will challenge your ability to connect with them when they need support the most. At times people will celebrate success with you and thank you for your response, meanwhile there are those who remain suspicious of your presence and still need your support.
Therefore, it will come as no surprise that a Police Officer is someone who thrives on challenge and who possesses the highest level of commitment to serving the public. They operate with the knowledge that their actions and intentions are crucial to the safety of the community and can respond positively to scrutiny every day. A Police Officer has the flexibility and awareness to adapt their approach dependant on the situation or person(s) they are supporting. The reward is seeing and knowing they have done the best job possible.
You can read more about our commitment to the community, and the Code of Ethics we stand by, in the working with us section.
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I joined in 2007 because I wanted to help those who can’t help themselves, but on top of that, I joined because I wanted to help change my community’s views about the role.
My heritage is from Kashmir in Pakistan and it can be difficult for minority communities to feel able to ask for help from outside their community. By joining the police, I wanted to help break down those barriers and be the visible representation for my community.
Initially, I joined Hertfordshire Constabulary as a civilian investigator in the Crime Desk at the old Hatfield Police Station in 2005. A Detective Sergeant I worked with suggested I join as an officer with a view to completing the Trainee Investigator (T/DC) Programme.
I was 38 and my initial thought was that I was too old and not fit enough, but after discussing it with a personal trainer at my local gym, he wrote me a training plan and arranged a practice ‘bleep test’.
I initially joined Hertfordshire Constabulary as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), based in Broxbourne. I did this for nearly three years before applying and joining as a regular Police Officer.
It was working as a Loss Prevention Officer that initially gave me the steer towards a policing career though. When handing over detainees or paperwork to the police, they would often chat to me about their day. Every time, it was a different story - a traffic incident, a lost child, chaos at the pub, a domestic in the street.
I think I always had a subconscious interest in becoming a Police Officer. Throughout my life I had always tried to help people and was conscious of my surroundings.
I could see beyond situations that other people wouldn’t notice, and could take control of dealing with conflict situations that others might run away from. I felt that being a Police Officer would give me the opportunity to use these attributes and stretch myself in a challenging and fulfilling career.
If you've got a question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions.
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