People join us from all walks of life and backgrounds, bringing with them different skills, abilities and experiences. Meet members of our police family, here to share with you their MDP journeys.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
Before joining the MDP I attended university and completed a BA Honours degree in Sports Studies. I also worked in the university gym as a Fitness Trainer, delivering a range of classes. I ran several 6-week ‘introduction to weightlifting’ courses and coached the university’s triathlon team during their weekly strength and conditioning sessions.
Why did you decide to join?
I decided to join the MDP, as policing was always a career I had considered. It was always on the list and as I got closer to graduating from university the MDP happened to be recruiting, and it just all seemed like perfect timing and fell into place nicely.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is getting to work with such a wide range of people each day and having the privilege of delivering specialist armed policing, to protect the sites, people and assets that are essential to Defence and national infrastructure.
What are your career highlights so far?
I think one of my highlights is that I still get to use my fitness training skills in the Force. In my previous career I did really enjoy fitness training, so the fact that the MDP recognises the skill set that I came into the job with and allows me to use it by conducting Multi-Stage Fitness Tests on station is great. It really motivates me to progress in that area, alongside my operational policing duties, and I am currently working toward my Level 3 personal training qualification.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
My proudest moment in the MDP, so far, is my pass out parade during September 2021. It was a special day having all my family there to watch me, especially as I had not seen them in a very long time. It was such a rewarding day after the 18-week initial training course and the fact it was a joint graduation event and celebration for the MDP’s 50th anniversary made it extra special. That said, my marching still needs some work!
Where do you see yourself in the future?
The MDP has so many options to choose from as you progress in your career, but in the future, I would love to go down the route of being an Operational Capability Centre Scots Law Trainer. During my initial course I really enjoyed the training side of things and I learnt so much from my trainers. I would love to follow in their footsteps and be able to train future recruits.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I served with a Home Office Force from 2007 to 2016.
Why did you decide to join?
I was a Marine Unit officer in my previous Force and, I am passionate about marine policing. The MDP has by far the largest marine policing capability of any UK Police Force and provides a great range of challenges and opportunities within the discipline.
What is the best thing about your job?
The variety – I have had the opportunity to deploy on marine policing operations across the UK. My most memorable and proudest moments have been being involved with the maritime security operations to safely escort HMS Queen Elizabeth into Portsmouth and the maritime element of the D-Day 75 celebrations.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I think I have the best job in the Force! As a training manager I get to lead a fantastic team of marine instructors, delivering the training our operational teams need to get the job done. I am well supported with development opportunities within my current specialism and I also get the opportunity to keep a hand in with operational marine unit activity.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I worked in sales and marketing.
Why did you decide to join?
Having had a family, I reflected on what I had achieved in my career. I hadn’t done any of the things I set out to do. Life’s too short and it’s never too late to change direction and do something that you’ve always wanted to do.
What is the best thing about your job?
The comradery with the officers on section and the opportunities that are available within the Force. As a parent, the shift pattern also allows for a good work life balance.
I am a member of the MDP REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) Network with whom I am proud to be an advocate of Diversity and Inclusion in the Force, helping to organise events and supporting fellow officers. I am also a tutor constable, mentoring new officers throughout their probationary period.
What are your career highlights?
My most memorable experiences so far include being deployed as part of Operation Temperer to the O2 in London in 2017 and taking part in a procession for International Women’s Day in 2019 to mark the centenary of Metropolitan Police women, as part of their #100YearsStrong campaign.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
When I represented the MDP at the 100th National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, attended by senior members of the Royal Family, including Her Majesty the Queen, and HM Government. It was very humbling and a real privilege to take part in the March Past with the thousands of veterans who we were there to remember and commemorate with.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I have carried out acting Sergeant duties and begun the promotion process. I’m currently working in an operational planning role and am enjoying getting some insight into this aspect of policing, broadening my experience and knowledge, which will only benefit me going forward. In the future, I would like to continue on the promotion ladder and make a difference within the Force.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I was at sixth form and worked part-time as a sailing instructor.
Why did you decide to join?
At the time of applying, I was looking at a similar force closer to home. However, when I found the MDP and attended an open day at Barrow-in-Furness, I saw the MDP had more opportunities for specialist roles, like the marine unit, which I hope to join in the future.
What is the best thing about your job?
I enjoy speaking to workers on site and members of the public when patrolling the surrounding area.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
My proudest moment involved me and a colleague helping an individual who approached our police car and asked to speak to the crisis team. We provided initial support and put them in contact with a mental health practitioner before they went on to hospital, to seek further help. Although our role is focused on counter terrorism and armed protective security and deterrence, as police officers working in and outside the wire around the sites we protect, we also get the opportunity to make a difference in the local community.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I hope to get promotion to sergeant, pass my Operational Firearms Commander course and join the Marine Unit at HM Naval Base Portsmouth.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
Prior to joining the MDP, I worked in 1:1 support in a Primary School in Devon, assisting children with learning disabilities into mainstream education. I was also a Special Constable with a Home Office force for three years prior to joining the MDP.
Why did you decide to join?
The unique policing that the MDP provides fascinated me and I wanted to experience something different to Home Office policing.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my current role within the organisation is assisting others to reach their potential and achieve their goals. I particularly enjoy teaching new recruits on the Initial Firearms Course.
Upon completion of my own initial training, I knew that I wanted to become a National Firearms Instructor (NFI). During my probation, I expressed my interest and was selected for NFI training early in my career. Since then I have flourished as an NFI and have also become an Operational Firearms Commander (OFC).
I have many career highlights including, becoming an NFI, passing the OFC course and being an OFC for the D-Day 75th anniversary celebrations. I also passed my sergeants promotion exam at the end of last year.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I aim to achieve promotion to Inspector and continue with my success in the organisation.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I was a prison officer.
Why did you decide to join?
So that I could play my part in serving, protecting and connecting with the Defence HQ community and general public, whilst making good use of my skills from working in the prison service and my cultural understanding and language abilities.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
My proudest MDP moment so far, was receiving an award, from the Chief Constable, for my academic achievements during initial training.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In ten years, I’d like to be a station Senior Police Officer.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
Upon completion of my law degree I spent a few months travelling around Australia before joining the MDP.
Why did you decide to join?
I researched various forces, however knowing I wanted to be a dog handler the MDP appealed as it has one of the largest police dog units in the UK.
What is the best thing about your job?
Working with my dogs. I have been a General Purpose Handler, as well as a specialist search handler so there are too many good moments to mention. Every day is a learning day working with dogs and I love to watch them develop.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I have been successful in joining the MDP Operational Capability Centre Dog Training Branch and will shortly be doing my Police Dog Instructor qualification. I see myself in this role for a long time, as it will give me such a fantastic opportunity to gain further qualifications and learn more about dog behaviour and training.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I started my career in the British Army as a Combat Medical Technician, I then joined a Home Office force before applying to join MDP.
Why did you decide to join?
I wanted to serve in a specialist policing environment with plenty of opportunities to sharpen my skills in various aspects of armed policing.
What is the best thing about your job?
It is both challenging and rewarding because it is unpredictable. One minute I could be dealing with a trespasser and the next minute be deployed on a more complex job, sometimes involving work to assist Home Office Police colleagues.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
My career aspiration is to achieve promotion to the next rank.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I studied psychology and then worked in a Student Union advice and support centre.
Why did you decide to join?
It offered lots of variety and opportunities to progress.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
Receiving a Chief Constable’s commendation and Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Award, for helping to save a colleague’s life.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I can’t be sure where my MDP career will take me, as there are so many paths available, but I know that whatever I do it will be a new challenge and something that is right for me, my family (three children and my partner, also in the job!) and the Force.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I worked in events and hospitality management.
Why did you decide to join?
I heard about the MDP when I was at university studying criminal law and the opportunity to specialise immediately in a police firearms role, with lots of options to develop my career, really appealed to me.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
Completing my first live operation with the SEG.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Within the next ten years I would like to have further specialised in a counter terrorism firearms position.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I had various jobs that fitted around raising my two children. I worked in a pyrotechnic factory where I produced marine distress and rescue products and military signal flares: I later became a proof tester for the products. Directly before joining the MDP I worked for a company producing contact lenses.
Why did you decide to join?
Coming from and marrying into the military I was aware of the role of the MDP and so, after being made redundant, I decided to apply to join. I wasn’t sure if I was too old to start a new career, especially a firearms role, but I soon realised that as long as I could pass all the elements required it was fine.
What is the best thing about your job?
As an Authorised Firearms Officer at Hereford I have had the opportunity to carry out a variety of roles in support of the customer and their families, the most memorable ones involve working alongside and in support of UK military units as an Operational Firearms Commander, in Counter Terrorism exercises and live operations.
One of my proudest moments was receiving a Force Commendation for my part in a joint investigation with the Serious Fraud Office which resulted in the successful prosecution of four offenders and confiscation in excess of 1 million pounds.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I’ve had 18 years of varied roles in the MDP and have enjoyed all the different opportunities and experiences that each one has given me. I am nearing the end of my career and will hopefully stay here at Hereford until my retirement. Looking back, I really wish I had made the decision to join the job sooner than I did.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I was a Cancer Pathway Co-ordinator.
Why did you decide to join?
I wanted a new challenge, had always been interested in policing. Having looked at the website and all the different specialisms available, the Force offered something different and unique that really inspired me to send in my application.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
Passing my Sergeant exam and working on station as a T/Police Sergeant.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In the next ten years, I aim to be well established at Sergeant rank (or beyond) and I would like to work on an international deployment, should the opportunity to do so arise.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
After graduating with a degree in Archaeology, I ran the Students’ Union and then went on to hold management roles in sales and catering before starting my policing career.
Why did you decide to join?
I wanted to work in a role where I could specialise as an Authorised Firearms Officer, right from the beginning of my career. The MDP also had, and still has, the largest Marine policing capability in the UK and that was also a specialist area of policing that I was keen to get into.
What is the best thing about your job?
The variety of roles that I have been able to serve in. One of my proudest moments was representing the MDP as part of Operation Herrick where I had the great privilege of mentoring policewomen in the Afghan National Police. I was also very proud to qualify as a Team Leader within 6 months of joining the SEG.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I am now working towards my goal to achieve substantive Chief Inspector rank and I look forward to continuing to develop in my career, whilst encouraging and mentoring my colleagues to help them achieve their full potential too.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I worked in my family’s restaurant business.
Why did you decide to join?
I was studying criminology at university and decided that I wanted to put into practice, as a police officer, what I had been learning about. I chose the MDP because I was particularly interested in the different dynamics of policing offered by the firearms officer role.
What is the best thing about your job?
I enjoy interacting with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. My colleagues are great. There is a good sense of camaraderie and trust – with some good banter as well! You know they’ve always got your back.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
At this moment in time I am happy in my current role, but I’m open to the idea of promotion to Sergeant rank in the future.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I was a BT Network Engineer.
Why did you decide to join?
I wanted a job where I could make a difference.
What are your career highlights?
I started my MDP career as an Authorised Firearms Officer at AWE Aldermaston and, after six months, I undertook specialist Project Servator training. That was such a great experience and I deployed in and around AWE and at public events, including the Royal International Air Tattoo. I was recently successful in completing my General Purpose Police Dog course and I am now a qualified dog handler. That is a major career highlight for me, as it has been my ambition since joining the MDP.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
When I graduated as a new recruit, following initial training.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In the next ten years I would like to see myself as an experienced dog handler, having built on the skills I have learnt during my initial training.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I worked in a nursery, caring for children aged zero to five. I enjoyed that job, but I wanted to do something completely different that would really challenge me.
Why did you decide to join?
It offered opportunities which I felt may have been limited elsewhere. The range of options available to specialise and move or be deployed to different locations across the UK, really appealed to me.
What is the best thing about your job?
My most memorable MDP moment was when I boarded HMS Prince of Wales and received a tour, whilst I was on a deployment to support the move of the carrier.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In ten years, I would like to have gained more experience of working on operations in the UK and, where possible, overseas. I’m also aiming to achieve promotion and to specialise as a National Firearms Instructor.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I graduated from university and worked in retail. I also did some temping jobs which included working for an insurance company and working in the Head Office for a jewellery company.
Why did you decide to join?
I had wanted to join the police for a while, in part because I grew up watching The Bill on TV! I’m a Londoner, but the MPS weren’t recruiting so I started researching other forces and found the MDP. They sounded completely different, so I decided to give it a go.
What is the best thing about your job?
I’ve had so many different experiences and I love the fact that the job has given me the opportunities to do them. Some of my proudest moments have been working with policewomen in the Afghan National Police and completing my MSc in Defence Leadership through the Defence Academy of the UK (which I completed part time whilst at work and was awarded in 2019).
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In the future I hope to continue with promotion and would love to be a Chief Officer.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I left college and in 1985, at the age of 19, I began my recruits’ course at MDP Medmenham. After successful completion of training, I was appointed to serve at RAF West Drayton in London.
Why did you decide to join?
Whilst at college, it was always my ambition to progress into the police service and I became aware of the MDP and started to make tentative enquiries.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
When I supervised a team of Community Police Officers across Scotland and Northern Ireland, as they supported the Defence community whilst battalions and units deployed on Operation Herrick.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I am now within what I intend to be my last decade of service as a police officer and am looking forward to continuing to support the Force and wider departmental needs, whilst I also mentor new entrants as they begin their careers in a force which continues to evolve in response to an ever changing operational environment.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I was studying for a degree in Sports Science, but my heart wasn’t in it and ahead of starting my new recruit training I worked full-time in a local supermarket.
Why did you decide to join?
I felt that it was the best choice for me, and I was right. I have already had so many opportunities to develop my career, the shift pattern allows me to continue with my personal interests in playing tennis and football. In a national force with a range of specialist units, I know that there will be plenty of scope for variety and progression.
What is the best thing about your job?
The amazing people that I work with. We all look out for each other and I’ve made friends for life. My managers are so supportive, and after joining the force they had no hesitation in allowing me time to go back to Uganda to continue my volunteer work.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
In the next ten years I would like to be a Chief Inspector… an ambitious goal I know, but I intend to work hard and aim to keep on progressing to see where my MDP career will take me.
What did you do before joining the MDP?
I was a Police Constable in a Home Office force. I joined at 18 and was their youngest recruit in 6 years.
Why did you decide to join?
I have been policing one way or another for 12 years. I researched the MDP and saw it offered unique specialist policing. The MDP also promotes a diverse workforce with equal opportunities for officers to specialise.
What are your career highlights?
My move to the MDP is, for me, the best move I’ve made. I have already had many memorable experiences, including escorting HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, whilst having to negotiate a busy sea channel carrying passenger ferries and commercial boats!
I was previously qualified as a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Day Skipper at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, and I am now a Sergeant, currently leading our work as part of the national Violence Against Women and Girls strategy.
In this role, my previous policing experience in public protection is really valuable and I’m proud to be working with colleagues across the Force to ensure we call out, challenge, report and take action against any unacceptable behaviour towards women and girls.
What is your proudest MDP moment?
My proudest moments are passing the Operational Firearms Commander course and passing the promotion process to become a Police Sergeant.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I have done all the above in less than three years, so it shows what opportunities the MDP has to offer. My next goal is to work towards my Inspectors promotion.