May 12, 2017, by Carla

What Can You Expect from a Career with the Police?

Claire Rukas, Police Inspector with Nottinghamshire Police.

I joined the service in August 2007 after graduating from the University of Nottingham with a 2:1 in law. I found university a fantastic experience, an excellent course and met friends who still have, and will continue to have, a huge impact on my life.

I knew early in my studies that I did not want to pursue a career practicing law. After my first year, I started working as a Special Constable in St Anns, Nottingham on a Response Team. I knew instantly that I wanted to join the police full time, and successfully applied to South Yorkshire Police, transferring to Nottinghamshire Police in 2014.

I have predominantly worked within uniform policing

This could be working 24hr shifts on a response team attending everything from public order incidents on a Saturday night to helping the most vulnerable of our society; to neighbourhood policing which works to improve the day to day life of residents.

I have worked within investigation teams dealing with complex investigations, and also within our planning teams shaping our structure and how we deliver a policing service appropriate for modern society. As an Inspector, I now supervise a number of people which provides different challenges and interest, as well working with other businesses and public sector organisations.

I remember receiving a number of negative comments when I told people I was joining the police.

In fact, I still receive some questions when people discover I have a law degree, predominately:

“Did you pass?”

I think this came, and comes from, a misunderstanding about the range of careers and paths within the police service, and the challenges and experiences it brings. People often assume when I tell them that I am a Police Officer, that I drive a fast car with blue lights on. While I did do that, and will return to that at some point, there is so much more to policing: investigating complex crimes, working to safeguard the most vulnerable in society, firearms and public order policing, to name a few.

I can honestly say that I do not know of another career which provides the variety or experience that being a police officer does. I love my job: the challenge, the experiences, and above all the people you meet.

For more information about jobs, work experience and volunteering with Nottinghamshire Police, take a look at the careers section on their website. 

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