INSPECTOR IN WAITING: Police Sgt David Buckley is hoping for a second promotion next year after less than two years as a qualified officer.

POLICE OFFICER

Fast track to success for police officer David.

David Buckley knew he wanted to become a policeman but he also thought it would be a good idea to gain some life experience before joining the force.

David, 24, from King’s Lynn, left school after taking his GCSEs and A Levels and went to work in London in business development for two years.

“I had not lived away from home before and felt it would be good to get some experience of life before joining the police,” he explained.

“I was aware that perhaps I needed to live somewhere different for a while rather than going straight in at an early age.”

To be sure he really was making the right decision, David also joined the Special Constabulary in 2000 to gain some experience of the force and the life he would be leading.

He soon found he enjoyed it and applied to be trained to become a full-time policeman.

After passing assessment tests and interviews in 2001, David was sent on a 15-week intensive course in Bramshill, Hampshire.

There he studied subjects such as law, practical policing, unarmed defence tactics and social awareness.

“After that, there was an intensive 18-month probation period where I was constantly assessed on my abilities while actually doing the job,” he explained.

“The job changes all the time so the actual day-to-day work is extremely important.”

After gaining experience in both the city of Cambridge and the Cambridgeshire countryside, David joined the Norfolk Constabulary and moved to King’s Lynn last year.

He has already been promoted to sergeant and hopes to become an inspector next year.

“As well as taking exams for promotion, you are, of course, assessed on your ability to do the job,” he said.

“If you have the right skills, then you can go a long way and there are lots of opportunities open to you.

“I love the job because no two days are ever the same.

“I also like the feeling that I am working for the community and there is of course a sense of achievement which also goes with the job.”