A WORCESTER carer has swapped her thermometer for handcuffs as she qualifies as a PC for West Mercia Police.
PC Amber Jenkins insists she is “raring to go” and can’t wait to start work as a frontline police officer.
PC Jenkins is one of our new Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) recruits preparing to go out into our communities having successfully completed the first 17 weeks of training.
Being a police officer has always been the aim for Amber, but she’s had to bide her time because, in her own words, she wasn’t ready.
Instead, she forged a career for herself in the care sector working as a care assistant and team leader in Worcester and Evesham caring for people with dementia and mental health difficulties.
But now Amber feels the time is right to switch her focus and is ready to start her new career at West Mercia Police.
The 31-year-old said: “I tried to apply for the police when I was about 20 but I wasn’t old enough mentally. I went away, had a life, saw a lot of the world and thought that I’m now ready – it’s now or never.
“I want to get out there and I’m raring to go. I want to make a difference – simple as that.”
Amber was one of 24 student officers on the PCDA, which is a three-year course run in partnership with Staffordshire University, who recently took part in a Passing Out Ceremony held at Hindlip in Worcester.
They were inspected by Chief Constable Pippa Mills, Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss and Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.
It has been an intense few months for the recruits as they have been put their paces physically and also in the classroom learning all of the latest legislation.
Amber said: “It’s been a challenge and not what I thought it would be, but it’s been a good learning experience.
“There will be a lot more hard work to come and hopefully I can also build on what I learn while doing the job.”
