Ready to help people at their most vulnerable

PC Victoria Price, based on Clacton’s Local Policing Team, is one of our newest recruits who graduated from Essex Police’s training college on Friday 25 February.

Before joining Essex Police, PC Price worked in the Royal Army Medical Corps as an Operating Department Practitioner in surgery for 10 years and was promoted to Sergeant within her service. PC Price is still a proud reserve in the army and wants to use the skills she’s learnt for this new challenge.

PC Price will be out on the streets ready to protect and serve communities and is prepared to “help people at their most vulnerable point.”

We asked PC Price why she joined the police, and this is what she had to say.

“I wanted to do something that made a difference every day. That’s why I joined the military in the first instance because I wanted to be in those circumstances that no one else has even thought about, let alone been in.

“I want to be that person that’s first on scene to help those in need out.”

Self-progression is on the top of PC Price’s list and found that policing “encompasses everything” she wants to get out of her “life and career”. She’s already considered joining the firearms team in the future.

“I wanted a challenge. In my old job, I didn’t feel like I was challenged enough.

“Coming to the college means I’ve had to manage my time very efficiently in order to manage everything that we have to do here. I go to the gym quite a bit and I have a little boy who’s five, so for me, it’s about managing all of that.

That’s what I get a kick out of. I like that I’ve got so much going on and at the same time I’m learning.”

PC Price is looking forward to meeting her new team and understand how they go about policing in their community. Most of all, PC Price wants to be “comfortable with being a police officer” and putting what’s learnt into practice and feeling “confident with helping people in the correct way.”

When PC Price was in the army, she was used to being under “pressure and people being assertive and confident”. She’s learnt a lot from those around her.

“I moved around so much within the military, I was always meeting new people and starting a new job. I’m so used to being thrown into situations and getting on with it. You take what you can from those you work with and meet. I will be able to transfer a lot of that into policing. The military does set you up good for any employment.

“Essex Police have a contract with the military. After two years, I’m able to go back and assist the military for three months. The force is really supportive with my other commitments.”

If you’re holding back joining Essex Police, here’s what PC Price has to say.

“There is a certain type of people that want to be police officers and want to put themselves in challenging situations, meet people and do different things every day. If you’ve already considered it, it’s probably the role for you.

“The application process is long, but it’s worth it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing this, but it’s not. The pride that you get out of getting past that stage to where I’m at now and then in the next two to three years is worth it.

“Two of our tutors, Staff Calhan and Staff Elgie, are professional, enthusiastic and they want you to be the best you can be, as it reflects on them as well. They’ve put their time, energy and effort outside of their 8am to 4pm working hours and you can tell that that has helped the class massively. It makes you think this is the type of police officer I want to be.

“There is also a myth in the military that the police don’t want the military, as we’ve already got certain training around certain things, so it would be hard to transition. But when you get here and the tutors speak to you and understand the experiences that you’ve got, they actually think it’s beneficial.”

We are proud to be part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, pledging our commitment to supporting former, and serving, services personnel, should they wish to work for Essex Police.

Why not start your journey with Essex Police today?

At Essex Police, we value difference, and know that we’re strongest when we all work together.

Our officers have different life experiences, different skills and represent communities from across our county.

We’re here for you and your loved ones in times of emergency, and we’re always looking for new people to join us.

If you think you could protect and serve the people of Essex, why not see if you fit the bill? Visit our police officer career page to find out more.