Interview: Simon Bennett, Head of Digital Services for West Mercia Police
Could you provide a description of your current role and what your average day-to-day is like?
I am currently Head of Digital Services for West Mercia Police; this role leads the ICT functions for the force. We have a full-time team of around 100 staff responsible for provision of the current technology plus a large programme running, modernising our entire infrastructure. I work from the HQ in Hindlip Hall, 9-5 when all goes well, but being a 24/7 organisation, we have an on-call system in place.
Can you give a brief description on your time immediately after leaving the armed forces?Immediately after leaving the Army in 2008 I contracted to the FCO, helping to project manage their worldwide systems upgrade. After two great years in that role, in 2010 I moved with my family to Canada. The military work ethic led to great success and I became the CIO of an oil and gas maintenance company until it was sold to the parent company when I moved to become the Calgary Police Service CIO. I served the CPS until returning to the UK in 2019 to take up my role in West Mercia.
Can you describe why you left the armed forces, and why you applied for West Mercia Police?
I served 24 years in the Army and enjoyed a great and varied career, but missed time with my family and wanted to challenge myself in civvie street.
I joined West Mercia because it does not feed the soul making money for shareholders; I missed the sense of purpose I had always previously felt. Supporting the officers in making my community safer is something I am proud to be a small part of.
Do you think there are transferable skills between working in the armed forces and working with the police?
Leadership is vital in all industries, understanding how to navigate time critical issues is also key.
What do you think the benefits are, of working for West Mercia Police? From an ex armed forces point of view.
A sense of purpose is definitely the unique selling point of the police in my opinion. Understanding hierarchal setups and working alongside people that understand ‘it just needs doing’ is also not to be underestimated, it is not universal in civvy street.
What would you say to someone looking for a role in digital services?
Do not underestimate your non-technical skills; be it leadership, project management, understanding people’s perspectives quickly, the ability to pursue success in all you do.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your transition from the armed forces to West Mercia Police that would be useful for someone applying for a role in digital services?
Be specific in which role(s) you are after and get qualified in that speciality. If you are selling generalist leadership skills, then get accredited in that field and demonstrate the experience you have in civilian terms.
We are recruiting digital specialists…
Are you an IT professional who would like to use your technical skills to enable the future of policing? Then a digital service role at West Mercia Police might be for you.
We are investing in our future and recruiting digital specialists. Search Digital Service jobs at West Mercia Police to view our current vacancies.
Visit: www.westmercia.police.uk
West Mercia Police have been awarded a Gold Standard through the Armed Forces Covenant ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’, for its ‘outstanding’ support for the Armed Forces Community.
