As a child, Emma Bailey always imagined a career helping people. Today, she’s doing just that as a detective constable with Devon and Cornwall Police.
After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in Biological Sciences, Emma began working in a veterinary laboratory. While she enjoyed the role, she couldn’t shake her ambition to work in policing, inspired by true crime documentaries and TV series like CSI.
That’s when she discovered Police Now.
Now 18 months into our two-year programme, Emma says she’s relishing the challenges of working with victims and bringing offenders to justice.
“I’ve always tried to be there for people, to give them advice and to help them through difficult times. Since starting this job, I’ve realised that we’re all just people doing jobs and trying our best to be there for others.”
Developing skills and confidence
Training in frontline policing and interacting with the public has given Emma confidence she never knew she had.
From speaking with victims to dealing with difficult situations and making quick decisions under pressure, every day has brought new opportunities to learn and grow.
“I’m not as afraid to speak my mind because of the training I’ve had. I feel more confident in myself now, after having to deal with drunk people at 2am and tell them what to do and calm people down while trying to get them into handcuffs.”
No two days are the same
One of the things Emma enjoys most about policing is the variety.
“Moving to this job has really made me appreciate how different every day is, and the people you meet and the experiences you have make it rewarding in every way.
“Policing is very different when you’re in it and you see the side of things that aren’t put on social media. You get a much better appreciation for what police officers actually go through and deal with.
“It can be really tough because it’s long hours and you have to learn a lot of information, and some of the jobs can be quite hard to handle, but there is support and it’s hugely rewarding.”
Why Police Now?
Police Now’s National Graduate Programme is designed for graduates who want to make a difference.
Participants receive dedicated coaching, professional development and hands-on experience within a police force, helping them develop the skills needed to thrive in a policing career.
Over two years, recruits combine academy learning with real-world policing, building the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills needed to create safer communities.
Whether your background is in science, business, humanities or something completely different, if you’re passionate about helping people and creating safer communities, there’s likely to be a place for you.
