From Royal Marines to Firearms Officer
Hear about Macs Journey from the Armed Forces to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
What is your Military background?
I was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Marines Commandos. I joined in 2001 and I left at the beginning of 2010. I think I decided on my second tour that it was time to leave. I’ve got no complaints. I was very well looked after by the Corps and the MOD.
What sparked your interest in the police?
I’d always wanted to be a police officer. I’ve never really been one to sit in an office. I’ve always wanted to do something different. I did a police officer and prison service resettlement course – which was a very good course.
Why Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary?
My dad was a policeman for 44 years, and if there’s one thing you can’t get away from, it’s your genes. I came back from Pakistan, and my dad’s mate, also a policeman, came round and had a chat and that kindled the fire, shall we say, and here we are.
What’s your current role?
I’m a police constable (PC) but on the pathway to promotion to police sergeant. I’m an authorised firearms officer and I work with ARVs, or armed response vehicles. When I left the military, which is a very big, grown-up world, with stuff that you never thought you’d see or experience, it opens your eyes up to the way the world actually works. Coming from that into this is so different but when I landed up in firearms, because there’s a lot of ex-military, it felt like home-from-home. It’s got that military mindset and level of discipline.
What do veterans bring to roles in the police?
Discipline, conflict management, decision-making, appearance, authority, getting the job done, and we don’t take any rubbish off people.
It sounds like you operate in a very military manner…
Yes. That’s why I’m in firearms. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary wants to start recruiting more ex-military. We need the resilience and those qualities that ex-military personnel bring…
What do you most appreciate about being in the police, versus what you had in the military?
You get to go home at night, or morning; depending on what shift you’re working.
What advice would you give to current Service leavers?
My advice would be, bring everything with you, get stuck in and be yourself but be aware of the culture change.