From Coffee Filtering to Crime Fighting: A Journey of Dedication

Meet Andrew Smith, an individual at the heart of Essex Police in our Contact Management Centre who transitioned from managing a bustling Costa Coffee shop to serving the community as a dedicated member of Essex Police. Andrew works extremely hard as one of our Police Dispatchers, helping to send the right resources and officers to incidents.

For five years, Andrew has been a steadfast member of Essex Police, joining the force just before COVID-19. The allure of a meaningful career, rather than just a job, drew him to the police force—a decision that has proven to be both challenging and rewarding.

“One of the most interesting parts of my job in the police force is that no two days are the same. While my main duties stay the same, how I use my skills and knowledge changes with each situation. I need to think quickly and adapt, whether I’m gathering important information or giving advice to officers in urgent situations. Helping officers during emergencies and making sure everything is done correctly to get the best results is a daily challenge that makes the job exciting and rewarding.”

Outside of work, Andrew is an avid cyclist, recently completing the Ride London 100-mile event to raise funds for Little People UK, a charity supporting individuals with dwarfism. “Being a Chairperson of Little People UK for two years now, I am deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others. I’m married with two beautiful children, who we lovingly call ‘GIANTS.’ Both my spouse and I have achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism, but our children do not. We manage the unique dynamics of our family together.”

Despite the physical challenges posed by Andrew’s condition, he has been able to easily adapt the work environment to meet their needs, using a footstool and a specially adjusted chair. “The real challenges lie outside the physical realm. Learning the intricacies of police work and having the patience to filter facts from noise are skills that I have had to hone over time, but with the proper training I have been able to achieve the ability to listen and understand the true nature of a caller’s needs. This is crucial, as the obvious reason for a call is often just the tip of the iceberg”

The satisfaction derived from making a tangible difference in people’s lives is what fuels his dedication. “Whether it’s supporting officers in locating a wanted person, helping a distressed individual in their final moments, or linking a road traffic incident to a high-risk missing person, every action taken has a profound impact on someone's life. The role demands more than just taking a call; it requires providing a level of service that one would expect to receive and being open to listening, all while remembering that you are part of an emergency service, not a coffee shop.”

For those considering a career in the police force, the advice is clear: “Go for it. The journey is hard and emotional at times, but the rewards are immense. The opportunity to make a difference, no matter how big or small, is what makes this career so worthwhile”.

At Essex Police, we value difference. We know we’re strongest when we work together. And we want a workforce that represents our communities. 

If you share our values and want to help people, keep people safe and catch criminals, then join us as a police officer, member of staff, special constable or volunteer.

Find out if you fit the bill