From Grenadier Guards to Nottinghamshire Police: Luke’s Story
Policing provides an opportunity for Military veterans to apply their renowned transferable skills back on civvy street.
Luke Bettridge fulfilled his childhood ambition to Serve with the Grenadier Guards in Bosnia and Iraq, as well as the iconic Trooping the Colour. After leaving the Army, he worked in the security industry, but it was always a stopgap, as he says: “My long-term goal was always to return to Nottinghamshire, where I grew up. Nottinghamshire Police offered the perfect opportunity to come home while continuing a career in public service. It has a strong reputation for supporting Veterans and offers a wide range of specialist roles, which really appealed to me.”
Luke is clear on the skills that he’s been able to transfer from the Military to policing, saying: “My core role in the Army was radio communications, but the most valuable transferable skills have been leadership, teamwork, discipline and administration. I’m able to support and guide others when needed, work effectively with colleagues in high-pressure situations, maintain high standards and professionalism, attention to detail and organisation. Veterans and Reservists bring a unique skill set and level of experience from their Military service, which is a real asset.”
Benefits
Naturally, Nottinghamshire Police offers an excellent raft of benefits for Veterans that helps them to progress, as Luke explains: “Nottinghamshire Police offers excellent training, development opportunities, and a strong sense of community. They value diversity and actively support staff networks, which has helped me grow personally and professionally. Being part of the Armed Forces Network has been particularly rewarding, allowing me to use my experience to make a positive impact.
“The variety of roles and specialist teams also means there’s always room for me to learn and progress.”
Reservist, Simon Pinnington, was also attracted to the police saying: “Nottinghamshire Police is a highly supportive employer, holding Gold ERS status under the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures Reservists receive the maximum leave to balance Military and policing duties. They recently enabled me to mobilise to the United States on a short operational tour, supporting flying operations and providing aircraft security.”
Encouraging candidates to carefully consider what they have to offer, Simon says: “It’s important to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and strong communication skills, as these are key to thriving in a challenging and fast-paced environment. Take the time to develop your knowledge of local communities, policing priorities, and current issues, as this will help you make a positive impact from day one,” before adding: “Finally, be ready to embrace continuous learning and personal development, as Nottinghamshire Police places strong emphasis on supporting its officers to grow professionally throughout their careers.”
Rewarding
Luke is equally positive in his recommendation, saying: “If you’re considering joining, go for it! Policing is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Be prepared to work hard, stay adaptable, and embrace continuous learning. If you have a background in the Military or another disciplined environment, those skills will serve you well.
“Nottinghamshire Police is highly supportive and values its people, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop and make a real difference.”
For further information regarding opportunities with Nottinghamshire Police, please visit: www.nottinghamshire.police.uk
