Police officer has topped a national poll of the jobs adults most wanted to do when they were kids, with nearly one in five (18%)working adults in the East of England saying it was their childhood ambition. Police officer was followed by teacher (16%), pilot (13%) and lawyer (12%).
The poll*, involving over 3,400 working adults across England and Wales, was carried out by Opinion Matters for the Government’s ‘Be The Difference’ police recruitment campaign. It found that over a third of working adults in the East of England (34%) did not pursue their childhood dream job, with almost half (46%) saying they sometimes or often regret that decision.
When asked their top reasons for wanting to be a police officer while growing up, answers ranged from a desire to be proud of the job they did (38%), wanting to make a difference in the community (37%) and wanting to reduce crime (36%).
With more than a quarter (27%) of adults in the East of England surveyed saying they’re considering a job change in the next 12 months, the ‘Be the Difference’ campaign is calling on people to discover the rich diverse roles within the police force, the importance of teamwork and the meaningful difference an officer can make within the community.
Dan Hirsch, 31, from Southend is a Police Sergeant for Essex Police, working in the Community Policing team. Dan was first inspired to become a police officer when he was in primary school, and this aspiration was reinforced as he grew up and decided that working a desk job wasn’t for him.
Dan said: “I’ve always been interested in policing as a career – in fact as a child I used to run around the playground pretending to be in a police car and making a siren noise. Since joining the police, I’ve realised there is much more to the job than blue flashing lights and the officers you see in uniform on the street. There are so many opportunities to grow both upwards and sideways through working in different departments. I think it’s vital to spend time working as part of different teams, as it helps to build skills and an understanding of different sides of policing resulting in well-rounded and knowledgeable officers.
“Being a Police Officer is not just a job, it is a way of life. It offers a varied career, with a lot of opportunities. You get a family like atmosphere, and I have always found there is always someone to help if you need a hand or to ask a question. I’ve needed some extra support from my Superintendent as I’m dyslexic, so reasonable adjustments have been made for me to work effectively. If you are neurodiverse and considering signing up to be a police officer, don’t let the thought of police paperwork put you off – there is a great support network in place including a forum for dyslexic police, in which we all share advice and tips with one another.
“If you are going to join the police, expect to have ups and downs and expect to work hard, but it’s a career that offers lots of opportunities to grow and loads variety – no two days are the same. I think the most important qualities for new recruits to demonstrate are honesty and integrity. If this sounds like you, then sign up – you would be hard pressed to find a more interesting and rewarding job.”
Alice Stapleton, a career coach who specialises in working with people in their 20s and 30s, said: “The last few years have proved to be a time of considerable personal growth for many. People’s values and motivations have changed since the pandemic, so it’s no surprise that so many people, especially in the early working life of their 20s and 30s, are considering a career change. It’s been my experience and a recurring theme that an increased number of individuals are seeking to move into more meaningful and purposeful work. Sometimes this is also going back to basics, to think about the kinds of jobs they could see themselves doing, but don’t know how to make these career dreams a reality.
“As more people seek work that better matches the values that now drive them, it’s clear to see why many would consider joining the police. It’s a role that ticks the boxes of positive rewards and the opportunity to make a difference, that people are searching for.”
Becoming a police officer opens up opportunities to develop personally and professionally and make a positive difference in your community. As a police officer you will protect the public, prevent crime, and provide support to victims. It’s a varied, rewarding and challenging job, where you get to see the direct impact of your work.
‘Be the Difference’ is urging those considering a career to find out more about how they could fulfil their potential at joiningthepolice.co.uk.
