When Coronavirus lockdown measures were imposed in March, policing student Abigail Crouch – who volunteers as a Special Constable with Nottinghamshire Police – was keen to lend a hand, so she agreed with her employer to stop work to commit more time to support the force in dealing with the outbreak.
Since then, Abi has gone on to give nearly 700 hours to Nottinghamshire Police as she heads into her final year of studying for a three-year Professional Policing degree at the University of Derby.
Abi, who is 20 and originally from Manchester, had always wanted to be a police officer. She’d been a police cadet when she was younger and wanted to do something that helped people for a career.
“I was looking at different university courses online and saw the University of Derby course,” she said. “I went to an open day and attended a lecture – and, from then, I knew it was for me.
“The course is incredibly helpful and volunteering as a Special Constable alongside that helps you apply the knowledge you learn in the classroom out on the beat.”
Coronavirus has presented many challenges and placed various restrictions on daily life – including policing lectures at the university, which have largely moved online during the pandemic.
While some of her class mates have been restricted to home learning, however, it’s been business as usual for Abi and the team at Radford Road Police Station.
“The team at Radford Road treat me like any other member of the team,” she said.
“I stopped working at a local yard with horses during lockdown after agreeing with the owner and the last few months have been very busy.
“The team I’m with have been so welcoming. We get to attend a variety of incidents and I learn so much. They’re a fantastic support network for me and I am really grateful for their help and guidance while I study.
“My tutors on the course are also brilliant, they’re so supportive and helpful: they make everything very clear and their teaching has been invaluable.”
Alongside her studies, Abi will also take on the role as a committee member on the University of Derby’s Policing Society over the next academic year, which will be her last as she works towards her graduation in September 2022.
She explained: “We’ll be planning all sorts of fun events for people in the society, including murder mystery events and themed nights out.
“We’re keen to make sure that there’s a balance between the study, work and university experience.
Could you see yourself working for Nottinghamshire Police? Here’s how to take the fast-track into policing
Nottinghamshire Police is sharing Abi’s story as the force seeks to welcome more aspiring officers to start their policing journey by enrolling on the ‘accelerated’ two-year version of the BA (Hons) Professional Policing degree* which Abi is currently working towards.
The pioneering new degree is the first of its kind in the country and has been developed by the force alongside the University of Derby.
By condensing the length of the degree from three years into two, it enables students to get out on the frontline a year ahead of other officers-in-the-making who are already enrolled on similar three-year courses.
“I’d definitely recommend people to apply for the degree if they’re interested in policing,” Abi added. “It’s fantastic if you want to be a police officer and the fact you can now do that in two years is amazing.”
The new fast-track degree begins in September 2020 and has already generated significant interest, with more aspiring officers being encouraged to apply before time runs out.
For more information and to apply for the fast-track degree, visit the University of Derby website.
You can also find out more about the new fast-track policing degree by registering for a number of free ‘virtual open days’ which aim to give aspiring officers the opportunity to hear how the course works, learn what financial support may be available and ask any questions they have of the senior police officers and lecturers who are leading the course.
To secure your place on the free online information sessions, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3869343454489530384?fbclid=IwAR1bJ3bADJzmAJNLRY8P4C5n5OqgNsofX5XUOKTQhDjYbhq_fWi-yrabRLY
* The BA (Hons) Professional Policing (Accelerated) remains subject to College of Policing validation.
