Neil Turner
Detective Constable

Tell us a bit about your background and why you joined policing?

My previous role was in teaching and I did that for around 14 years. I specialised in Special Educational Needs and eventually became a head teacher. It was a great career but I always had a personal interest in the world of policing, especially the challenges of investigating complex crimes. My family were really supportive, and being a slightly older than average joiner I decided the detective route might suit me better, so I applied and the rest is history!

Having been part of Hampshire Constabulary for a little while now, what are you most impressed with?

The force try really hard to look after us. The various bonus schemes, the additional training, the welfare packages… I think a lot of us don’t realise how much is done to try and support us. Ultimately it’s the people within the organisation that make the real difference, but if you took away all the various ways we’re looked after then I think it would be hard for great people to continue doing great work.

Can you tell us about any proud moments?

I definitely felt proud when I passed the exam to be a detective and actually made it to the point where I believed I had what it took. I think I’ve suffered with a bit of imposter syndrome throughout many of the successes in my limited time in the force, but I can recognise now that hard work does pay off and when you reach the point of being able to look back on what you’ve achieved it’s a really great feeling. I also got taken to number 10 with the Chief Constable which was a particularly surreal yet amazing experience!

What’s been one of the hardest thing about the job?

Learning how to be a good investigator. It’s relatively easy to take a statement or collect some evidence, but actually understanding all the nuances of each case and how to achieve the best evidence possible is definitely a skill that I’m still developing. You’re never the finished product and there’s always something else to learn or improve upon, but that just makes it even more fulfilling.

Any advice for new recruits or people considering a career in policing?

Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to just ask the question. I joined with more life experience than the average recruit, but it didn’t instantly make me a good police officer. Sometimes you’ll feel silly, and some days you might feel like you’ll never reach the skill level of your more experienced colleagues, but you’ll reach a point where you suddenly realise that what seemed impossible six months ago you’re now doing as if it were second nature.

What would you like other people to know about policing?

When I first joined, my dad who is now a retired fire officer gave me some really sound advice that has stuck with me ever since. He told me: you’re about to peak behind the curtain and see what life is really about, it will change you because of the responsibility that comes with it, so prepare yourself. He was right. That responsibility comes thick and fast, faster than most might expect, but it’s a big part of what makes me immensely proud to be a serving officer.

Recruitment
Benefits & Rewards

“I think I’ve suffered with a bit of imposter syndrome throughout many of the successes in my limited time in the force, but I can recognise now that hard work does pay off and when you reach the point of being able to look back on what you’ve achieved it’s a really great feeling.”

DC Neil Turner