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Why did you join the Police Service?

I have always wanted to join the Police from quite a young age. I wanted to be in a job that I could make a career out of, and because there are so many different roles and avenues in which I could explore, I decided to apply. I love that every day is different and the thought of doing a job where I can really help people when they need it the most is what appealed to me. 

 

Two police officers on patrol walking along a path in a green park area.

I wanted to be in a job that I could make a career out of, and because there are so many different roles and avenues in which I could explore, I decided to apply.

Constable Stewart , Police Service of Northern Ireland

What do you enjoy most about your role as a probationary police officer?

The one thing that I enjoy the most is that every day is a learning opportunity.  During probation, it is natural to feel unsure at times, but the nature of response policing is that you are constantly developing new skills and growing in confidence through experience.  

I also really enjoyed the degree element of probation. I did not go to university and at first, the academic side was challenging, but  I really enjoyed the reflective assignments. These allowed me to draw on real incidents I had attended and reflect on what went well, as well as what could be improved in future situations. 

What do you find most challenging?

One of the most challenging aspects when I first joined my section was the volume of paperwork. While I was aware that the role involved a significant administrative element, the scale took some adjustment. I enjoy responding to incidents and dealing with calls, understanding the documentation required afterwards was an area I needed to develop. With the guidance and support of my colleagues, my confidence quickly grew - they made a big difference.

What do you hope to achieve in your career?

At the minute, I really enjoy response policing. It is where you gain the most knowledge of the job because no two days are the same. I hope to become the best version I can be in my role as a Police Officer and excel in my role as an officer within the Local Policing Team.