Civvy Life – from the Armed Forces to policing

After leaving the RAF after 13 years with a medical discharge, PC James Graysmark wasn’t sure what to do next – that was until he found a new career with West Mercia Police.

What is your Military background?
I was in the Royal Air Force for 13 years and left in 2012 following a medical discharge. I Served in various UK bases and completed several overseas tours including Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.

What was resettlement like? 
I think having joined up at 17 and Serving until I was 30 years old I didn’t really have a clue about what life was like in civvy street. One thing I came to realise is that we, as ex-Service personnel, have so much to offer in transferable skills, but we are rubbish at selling ourselves!

How did you come to apply for West Mercia Police?
I left the RAF following a medical discharge, unfortunately it put me in a dark place for several years and it was only the support of friends and family that got me out of it. When I left the Military, I relocated to Worcester to be closer to my family for support. It took me a few years of working in various jobs to pluck up the courage to apply to the police. I guess, given my medial history, I just assumed that they would not accept me, and I don’t think I was ready for that rejection. 

Can you describe your current role and what your usual day-to-day is like?
I have been a police officer for around four years now, covering response, so my day-to-day involves patrols and responding to 999 calls. This is where I have learnt the bread and butter of policing. Sorry to use a cliché but no two days are the same. You could deal with the same person three days on the bounce but each time the circumstances are different, and you never really know what to expect until you arrive at a job, so there isn’t really an average day.

What attracted you to become a police officer?
I guess the main attraction was that it’s not dissimilar to the Military, so I figured it would be like coming home. I enjoy the clear rank structure and respect that is in place between colleagues and peers. The camaraderie is very similar as well, there is not a cop on duty that wouldn’t have my back during an incident and vice versa. 

What kind of skills and attributes do Veterans bring to the police? 
Discipline, timekeeping, professional standards and high moral standards. All skills that we, as Veterans already possess. I also find that the general ‘life experience’ of ex-Military personnel is also a huge help.

What would you say to someone who has just left the Armed Forces, and is looking to join West Mercia Police as  a police officer, but unsure if they would be good at it?
Nobody joins the police knowing whether they would be good or not. West Mercia offers first class training to bring that out of you. The shift will always be there to help you where needed and the sergeants are brilliant at getting the best out of you. 

I would genuinely recommend West Mercia Police – the opportunities are fantastic, and I have had the opportunity to work alongside other agencies such as ambulance and fire but also the Department for Work and Pensions, while investigating a high value fraud offence. 

Could you follow in James’ footsteps? 
West Mercia Police is recruiting for police officers now!
You could join them on the new IPLDP+ programme without needing to study for a degree – and earn a starting salary of £25,269.
Find out more by visiting: www.westmercia.police.uk/careers