Bedfordshire Police – filled with opportunities

Off By Ed Hanna

Bedfordshire Police is a force with a real family feel and an organisation filled with opportunities. You’ll be highly trained and well supported throughout your service, as you help people through some of the most difficult situations in their lives.

PC Ethan Vincent joined the force in 2021, fresh from the Military. He shares how he is finding his new career journey.

“I took no time off between leaving the Army and joining the police. On the Sunday I was a soldier and on Monday, I was starting initial training.

Basic transferable skills were obvious from the start, such as polishing boots, ironing kit and drill etc. It’s a daunting thing, leaving the Military, and I perhaps underestimated how much life would change for me in those first few months.

I have been lucky enough to be directly involved in large scale incidents, like evacuating planes at London Luton Airport, disrupting violent street gangs and even working on counter terrorism. They have all been great learning experiences.

The friendships in Bedfordshire Police are just as real as those I formed in the Army. I have made some fantastic friends in my short time. There is a far greater emphasis in the police on speaking out when you’re struggling, especially with mental health matters. This is something the police has got right.

In terms of career progression, if you don’t enjoy the department you work in, there are many you can move to. There really is something for everyone.”

Jayne Ecott completed 30 years’ Service in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps.

She then joined Bedfordshire Police as a police staff member. Jayne is a wellbeing and support officer and is part of the team that provides support to the workforce in mental health and training.

Transitioning to a uniformed service
“Having lived by the set of values and standards expected in the Army, transitioning to a uniformed service, specifically a family orientated force such as Bedfordshire Police, was an easy move to make. As soon as I stepped into Police HQ and met my new colleagues, I felt a belonging and was at ease with the culture and structure of the force. The only thing I questioned was why I had not considered this type of employment immediately on leaving the Army.

The ability to work as a part of a team to help support others, both police officers and police staff, is such a privilege, and my Army experience is highly valued and given so much credit.”

You can join as a police officer, detective or member of police staff and volunteer as a special constable. Within these roles you will have the opportunity to receive specialist training and work across the organisation.

At Bedfordshire Police the opportunities are endless.