National Apprenticeship Week 2021: Two news ways of becoming a police officer has seen people aged 19-44 from all walks of life join the force at the end of last year via a partnership between Thames Valley Police (TVP) and Buckinghamshire New University.

More than 35 new police officers have joined Thames Valley Police (TVP) via its two new student officer entry programmes: the three-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) entry route for those who do not already hold a degree qualification, and the two-year Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) entry route for those that do.

We spoke to some of the student officers to recognise National Apprenticeship Week 2021:

Frederick Tomlins, 29, is a student officer on the DHEP

For Frederick, the family connection was a major driver in persuading him to join the DHEP. With friends in local stations at Aylesbury, Amersham, and Wycombe, and an uncle in the New Zealand police force, Frederick has been inspired by those closest to him.

With a first degree and background in the leisure industry, Frederick wanted to use his experiences to thrive in the police, alongside his willingness to always do the right thing. “I was attracted to Thames Valley Police because of my ability to provide genuine help and support for those that need it. I'm a people person and I have a personal ethos to always do what is right. It feels like a calling, one that I can answer.”

The DHEP programme itself was also “fundamental” to Frederick’s decision. He said: “This pathway helps me feel value in my degree and that I’ll be able to put my studies and learning skills to good use through a programme designed to utilise my degree.”

Sanika Mehta, 31, is a student officer on the DHEP

One terrifying experience made Sanika apply for the DHEP.

Sanika joined to ‘give back to the community’ and said: “Although I have enjoyed my previous jobs, there wasn’t always a sense of job satisfaction. I therefore decided that I wanted something more challenging and fulfilling.  Whilst working at a phone shop previously, the store was robbed.

"It was an awful experience and the first and only time I have been placed in a position where I was threatened with demands and felt no sense of security or control over the situation. When the police arrived, I felt a huge sense of relief and safeness. I decided then that I wanted to join the police so I could give back and make others feel that sense of security.”

Christopher Bunce, 31, is a student officer on the DHEP

Timing is everything and for Christopher Bunce, the opportunity to join the DHEP has come at the right stage of his life.

“I have been wanting to join the police for many years, but I didn’t feel the time was right. I felt that I had not yet reached my full potential, so I wanted to challenge myself more with an influential role in the community,” he said.

Christopher has always had a passion for helping people and sees himself as becoming a friendly and familiar face so that the Thames Valley public recognises and relies on him as a safe and trustworthy person.

Christopher previously worked for the RSPCA for seven and a half years caring for, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals.

Molly Fendom, 26, is a PCDA student officer

When Molly was a teenager, she and her father were in a serious car accident. In some of the scariest moments of her life, Molly says the kindness and compassion of the police officers on the scene got her through the traumatic situation.

Having previously worked in a dementia care home and as a community mental health worker, Molly has always been active in supporting local people.

Commenting that her long-term goal is to work as a dog handler, Molly said: “I am excited about my professional and personal growth within this role as a police constable, and hopefully making a positive difference.”

Catherine Titcombe, 44, is a PCDA student officer

For Catherine joining the police has been a long-held ambition, which she is now able to fulfil later in life.

She said: “I started completing the application form to become a police officer over 20 years ago and have started the process on several occasions since.

“Something stopped me from completing it in the past, but October 2019 was when I finally found the courage to go through with the full process. The fact that I would also be given the opportunity to study at degree level was also a bonus, as when I had the opportunity in the past, I was not ready.

“I feel like all the experience I’ve had in life so far has prepared me for now and I am really excited to become qualified and finally achieve my potential.”

Jennifer How, 38, is a student officer on the DHEP

Jennifer is no stranger to Thames Valley Police, having joined as a civilian in 2013 after completing her Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Psychology. She started in the Witness Care Department and moved to the Force Intelligence Hub in 2015.

She said: “After my degree, I got married and decided to stay home to raise the children. Now the children are a little older, it is the right time to join as a serving police officer.”

Looking ahead, Jennifer would look to be promoted and ideally sit at inspector level at some point in her career.

Calum McKenzie Warwick, 22, is a PCDA student officer

Calum’s path to policing isn’t conventional. Growing up in South Africa, he never saw himself joining the force, and when his family returned to the UK just a few years ago, he pursued a different career path entirely.

By chance, Calum found himself at a careers evening where he learned about the work TVP do, and his perception of the job changed entirely. Living elsewhere at the time of applying, Calum’s family decided that the Thames Valley area was a great place for Calum to start his career and was ultimately where they wanted to settle. Calum says the reputation of TVP encouraged him to make the move, and he was heartened to see how kind, approachable and normal the TVP officers he had met were.

Calum describes himself as someone who is passionate about helping and connecting with people; “I want to do my best and do the right thing, so I am worried about overthinking difficult situations. However, I am confident that with time and training, this won’t be a concern.”

You can read more about apprenticeships in Thames Valley Police’s most recent blog here.