Why did you choose a career in neighbourhood policing?

“I have always loved helping people and working with the public, but I had never considered becoming a frontline officer. It’s when I saw Police Now’s programme and mission that it all started to fall into place.

“Supporting communities and developing as a leader in society aligned with my own ambitions and values. I also saw the opportunity to represent my community; I had rarely seen Somali female police officers in the UK, and the community hasn’t always had good experiences or relationships with the police. But through neighbourhood policing, I could be a role model for my community, I could work hard to build trusting relationships and provide essential support.

“It also felt a good natural step after my degree in Criminology and Psychology and my previous experience in the Home Office – where I supported different groups of people and used my Somali and Arabic language skills as an interpreter.

“The more I learnt about neighbourhood policing, the more I felt I had found my calling. It’s the best decision I’ve made.”

How have you been supporting the local community since joining Police Now’s programme?

“I am based in Finsbury Park, where there is a high demographic of Somali and Arabic speaking communities – it’s exactly where I wanted to be. Before landing in the neighbourhood team in December, I completed my Police Now academy training and Response training. Although I’m still quite new in the role, I’ve already started to make connections in the community.

“I recently attended a local mosque to introduce myself and raise awareness of the police’s work and available support. It’s about bridging that gap between the police and those who maybe don’t typically engage with us, to build trust and understanding.

“I also took part in organising a community event specifically for parents. I engaged with attendees and gave a presentation about spotting early signs of criminality in children, and how to safeguard them from things like drug use, county lines and serious violence. Some of the parents I spoke to had lost children to serious violence in the past and wanted to prevent this from happening again or to others. There was a strong turnout, and I am excited to hold more events like this in future – it opens the door for me to do exactly what I set out to achieve. It helps me break through barriers and provide the public with essential support and resources. Based on the information and knowledge collated from this event I was able to organise another event focused on youth violence, working with local authorities to discuss ways to help families. 

“This is not something the police can do alone, and a big part of neighbourhood policing is working with community partners and organisations. I’m keen to bring more people along to future events from organisations across the area, to offer holistic advice and intervention for those asking for help.”

Have you found it challenging?

“The training is intense, and landing on the frontline for the first time is a big learning curve. There have been certain situations which I’ve found challenging, for example responding to a difficult incident with someone suffering a severe mental health crisis. But I know we did everything we could to safeguard that individual and ensure they were given the support and intervention they needed, so although it was challenging, it also reinforced my motivations for being in the role. It’s about making a difference and helping people who need it.

“Getting support from your colleagues is also essential. Maybe I’m biased, but I think I have the best team on the borough! They have been very encouraging and helped me settle into the role. When I was fasting during Ramadan, my sergeants were also very accommodating to ensure I had time to pray and to break my fast. Things like that make such a difference.”

Why do you love neighbourhood policing?

“Helping people when they are vulnerable and supporting them through some of the hardest times of their lives, is the most rewarding way to spend a career.

“Before I joined policing, I had been a victim of crime myself. Knowing what that felt like contributes to my motivations for being the best officer I can be, to provide support to people in those situations. Even if you just make one person’s day better, that can make a huge impact.”