Amber Joyce

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Metropolitan Police

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I joined the Met through the Police Now Graduate Leaders Programme – I left for training school the day after Grad Ball! After a whirlwind six weeks at the intensive Police Now Summer Academy, I landed on patrol as a Neighbourhood Officer in East London, where I spent my two year probationary period. I helped to tackle persistent issues faced by the community, developing long-term, meaningful solutions. Through Police Now, I was seconded to Crest Advisory for four weeks. Crest are crime and justice specialists who advise and consult with various frontline practitioners (police, central and local government, public inquests and enquiries) providing research reports, strategy advice and training.

After my probationary period I was successful in an application to the Violence Suppression Unit – a plain clothes unit tackling some of the most violent individuals in the East Area Borough Command Unit. During my three years here, I led operations which led to the seizure of numerous offensive weapons and drugs as well as leading manhunts for individuals who had committed serious offences such as knife-enabled robberies, acid attacks and GBH stabbings. I’ve also had a lot of fun being the lead car in numerous vehicle pursuits!

I have recently been successful in the promotion process and am now currently a Sergeant on an Emergency Response Team in Barking and Dagenham. My role is to manage the risk of the calls that are being received, manage the teams resourcing, supervise the primary investigation of reports, ensure the welfare and safety of my staff and still try and find time to go out on patrol myself and have some fun!

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

The thought of being stuck behind a desk in a job that was pretty much the same day in, day out genuinely scared me. In my role, there are so many opportunities both up the chain of command but also laterally meaning it is almost impossible to be bored! There are always opportunities to upskill, various different courses available and no day is the same!

Every single day, I go home knowing that I have helped at least one person and had a positive impact on their life in some way. That is the most rewarding feeling and is – and always will be – my biggest motivation at work.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

• Bracton Law Society
• Business and Finance Society
• BodySoc
• Dance
• Inter-mural netball
• Karate

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I really enjoyed Law, Politics and Power. In fact, I really enjoyed my third year of university! I decided pretty early on that becoming a solicitor/barrister wasn’t something I was going to aim for straight out of university which allowed me to pick options in my third year that I was genuinely interested in and that encompassed more sociological and philosophical thinking.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

Exeter is simply beautiful. I loved the work hard, play harder mentality and being involved in all the sports. I also loved a cheeky Pimms and pizza down the Quay at On the Waterfront!

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

As soon as I went to visit the university, it felt like it could be home.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

My law degree really helped with the criminal law legislation exams that you sit before passing out as a Constable, as well as passing the written Sergeants exams. Both analytical thinking, thinking outside the box and thinking on your feet are key in my role, and my time at Exeter Law School certainly helped to develop these skills. My law degree has also most definitely helped when I have been interviewing suspects and solicitors have tried to be tricky or difficult, not realising that I have a law degree myself and can match their knowledge!

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Don’t be put off by what you see on social media, read in the press or peer pressure. Contact your local force to go on a ride-a-long on a late shift or night shift with real police officers and see for yourself what they actually do day-in-day out. Even if you decide the career isn’t for you, it’s a fantastic experience for you to make your own judgments.

What are your plans for the future?

To continue climbing the ranks within the police force.