Student officer stories

Tell us about yourself? 

My name is Stephanie Turner. I have a degree in Dance. Prior to joining Suffolk police, I worked as a primary school teacher, then as a Centre Coordinator within administration. After settling down, I finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming a police officer. 

How are you finding the training? 

The training has been both enjoyable and challenging, with a steep learning curve as I entered policing with no prior background. 

During training school, alongside law theory, there were lots of practical sessions and assessment days which helped bring learning to life. The consistent support and approachability of trainers, admin staff, and role players was invaluable throughout the training. 

Training gave me the foundations in a controlled environment, but tutorship is where it is all starting to feel real, my decisions now matter. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone but with support from my tutor and team, I am developing my confidence and decision making. 

What would you say to someone joining the police? 

Age or background doesn’t matter, if joining the police is something you want to do, go for it.  There are a wide range of roles to suit different skills and interests, and while it’s a big change, the constant learning, sense of reward, and the people you meet make it worthwhile.

Has training changed your perspective on policing? 

The training has showed me that policing is more than just knowing the law, it is about how you understand and deal with people. It is about understanding how vulnerable people can be and how complex lives can be, that decisions and words can have a huge impact for both the public and the police. It has taught me that asking for help in policing is encouraged and is not seen as a weakness. 

What has been the biggest challenge? 

My biggest challenge has been finding the confidence to apply what I have learnt in the classroom to practical situations whether they are in training school or in real-life. Not wanting to make the wrong decision is always at the forefront of my mind but with practice, I am beginning to trust my decisions. 

What has been the biggest highlight? 

The biggest highlight has been discovering a level of confidence I never realised I had, which I was able to apply in role plays and assessments during training school. My progress was recognised by the training team which resulted in me winning the Chief Constable's Commendation Award at the pass-out parade; something which I will cherish forever. 

What are you looking forward to/ambitions? 

I am looking forward to settling into my response team, learning from experienced officers, and developing the confidence to manage incidents independently from start to finish. 

My ambition is to work in roads policing, as road safety is important to me, and eventually to move into a training role within learning and development to support and develop others.

Jess is seven weeks into her Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and sat down with us to tell us about her experience so far.

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

Balancing the legislation side of things and trying to learn it all whilst putting it into practice. I'm not the best at remembering numbers, so I think that's been the hardest challenge so far. I'm remembering all the different sections and differences between them. 

From what we've been taught so far, say when I'm watching TV, I can sort of recognise what someone is doing that's illegal but I couldn't tell you what the numbers are for it, but I think it will come to me when I get out.

What's been the biggest highlight?

It's taken me two years to get onto this course, and I'm happy that I'm one of the first to join the PCDA because before it was only 10 weeks of training. I'm on week eight next week and I don't think I would have been fully prepared to go out there, but now we get so much more training - over double the amount of training, over 22 weeks, and the tutorage period and all that support. I think it's really going to help to shape people and help them deal better with the job.

My biggest accomplishment so far has been our role plays. Just having the confidence to get stuck in and say "no, stay back, stay there" and getting hands on and being more authoritative. When you're a civilian, you're not taught how to be that dominant sort of person to stop the situation, but I think I'm just proud of myself for doing that. 

Has training changed your perspective of policing? 

Yes it definitely has because you don't see all the behind the scenes - you don't know how much it takes to learn all that legislation, all the numbers and years and years' worth of legislation that spans decades. It takes a lot of dedication and knowledge, and all the paperwork! You don't realise that there is a form for absolutely everything and you have to justify every single thing you do. 

What would you say to someone who is thinking of joining the police?

Just do it! I say you have to fully understand that it's not just a career, it's a lifestyle choice. You have to understand that you are going to miss special dates and things. As long as you really want to do it and it's your vocation, then just get stuck in and do it, because your friends and family will understand. 

If they know this is what you're destined for and what you're trying to do then just go for it and go head first. Don't be scared to call out in class and put yourself forward for things. I was scared, I don't like calling out in class but I make myself do it, because this is the job I want. This is the career I want.

Finally, what are you looking forward to most for the rest of your training?

Being on area, definitely. In my old job I was a delivery driver and I've covered so much of Suffolk and miss being out and about and dealing with members of the public - not just the bad stuff, but interacting with people and I think bringing criminals to justice will be really rewarding. Getting the convictions that they deserve will be really rewarding.

Alexandra is three months into her Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) training to become a police officer on the Degree Holder pathway. We asked her a few questions about her experiences so far.

What would you say your biggest challenge has been?

I would say tying in the legal understanding and then pulling that into practice during scenarios. Just having the confidence in knowing the basics in why you're doing something and being able to do it.

What about the biggest highlight?

I would say doing the personal safety training (PST) has probably been one of the biggest highlights. Learning all the different skills and gaining the confidence to go into different situations and apply them. 

Has the training changed your perspective on policing?

It's definitely given me a better insight into what it's actually like and how much of it is on the go - what policing life is actually like.

What would you say to somebody to who is looking to join the police? Would you recommend it?

Yes, definitely!