Elizabeth Harvey
Elizabeth is one of our newest students. She is currently in initial police training and is on our accelerated detective route. She shared why she joined and how she feels about joining the police as a Black woman.
Due to my family situation, I had a lot of contact with the police and social workers during my childhood. As a result, I experienced first-hand how some of the police officers supported and cared for my relatives and myself.
My interest in joining the police began when during some of my interactions with officers, they told me about their role and the different career paths there are within policing.
I previously worked with young people on the National Citizens Service programmes and in the Probation Service. These roles helped me grow in experience and supported my ability to handle more complex situations that I will deal with during my time in the police.
I am looking forward to gaining experience and confidence through the range of opportunities there are as a detective. A long-term goal of mine is to work in counter terrorism and explore that side of policing more.
As a Black woman, it is important for me to know that I am in a police force where I can look around and see people who represent me in terms of cultural background.
Joining the police is a new experience for me but one of Bedfordshire Police’s goals is to represent the community it serves. This value aligns to mine in this way and it is really pleasing that I can support this goal.
So far, I have found the student officer journey quite difficult and have doubted myself at times, but overall, it’s been hugely enjoyable. I am very happy that Bedfordshire Police has given me this chance. Every day I feel I am developing into the best police officer I can be.
If you want to join the police but haven’t yet due to fear of being judged or ‘sticking out’, now really is the time. I hope this sets an example for young people in similar circumstances who, like me, doubted if they could do it.
The police need people from every background, and you can help be the change you want to see.
Elizabeth's student journey
We're following Elizabeth as she goes through the 22 weeks of police initial training and the response tutorship phase.
First week of initial police training
Learning about law
Personal Safety Training
Traffic and role plays
Graduation
The accelerated detective route has recently closed but you are able to transfer into the detective role once you have become a fully ranked police officer.
If you are looking for roles such as a PCSO or staff member, please visit our careers page to find out more and their different entry requirements.