What inspired you to pursue a career in the police?
I originally planned on becoming a lawyer, but when I learned about Police Now and neighbourhood policing, I realised it might be my calling. It was somewhere I could be proactive to prevent crime before it got to a court room, and work at the heart of the community.
When I told my parents I was joining Police Now, their jaws were on the floor. As a Persian woman, policing just wasn't something that was expected of me or typical for women in my culture.
But that's partly what motivated me to join; I'd never met a Persian policewoman before and I wanted to be that familiar face in the community, to help bridge that gap and make a real difference. And I've always been someone who wanted to carve my own path, even if it meant defying expectation or doing something new.
How did you get onto the Police Now graduate scheme?
I saw an advertisement online, and it all went from there. I started by completing a questionnaire. Then my application was reviewed and went through to an assessment centre. It was so insightful to learn all about neighbourhood policing - as opposed to response (999) policing, which feels more talked about.
I then had to go for a medical as well as a fitness test and pass vetting - that whole process takes a while, as they have to do deep background checks and make sure that you are suitable for the role. You get lots of support from a dedicated recruitment officer while you're onboarding.
What kind of tasks do you complete day-to-day as a police officer?
Being a neighbourhood police officer involves being proactive, you have a chance to really get stuck into your role and make a lasting impact.
We deal with a lot of anti-social behaviour, especially in the city centre, so being as proactive as possible is our utmost priority.
We often do patrols to increase visibility and engage with members of the public, to be a positive presence in the community. Of course, when people see the police, it can feel intimidating - but honestly, coming up to us and having chat is something that we love and something I wish members of the public did more often.
What part of your job brings you the most satisfaction?
Bringing offenders to justice.
This is because I have always been a massive believer in holding people accountable for their actions; no matter the offence, everyone needs to know that their actions have consequences.
I was previously doing a law degree, but as time went on, it struck me that I wanted to be out and about preventing crime and holding offenders to account - not defending potentially awful crimes in court.
Seeing the positive outcomes and telling victims that we got the desired result also brings huge job satisfaction. Seeing smiles on their faces reinforces why I do what I do.
What are the challenges?
The shifts are long, including very early mornings or very late nights, and in the past I have faced offensive or inappropriate comments from the public just for doing my job.
But those challenges have also taught me so much about resilience, strength, and myself. Seeing what I'm capable of and learning that I can hold my own has given me a huge sense of pride and accomplishment. I have grown so much as a person.
There is also lot of support available in policing. I'm part of the Women in Policing Network and the Black and Asian Policing Association and I've met the most inspiring role models there. Police Now also provides unparalleled support; they've supported me as a woman in policing but also with things like my neurodivergence.
In policing, you never quite know what you’re going to be dealing with, I'm faced with something new every day. But that's also what makes it exciting.
Police officers have to deal with intense situations. How do you deal with this?
By remembering that I'm not just a 'collar number' or a robot.
It is true that I am PC Shahsavar on shift, and I maintain a high level of professionalism at work because of my uniform and job. But I am also a 23-year-old woman who loves drinking matcha and going to the gym.
I think that's what people forget sometimes - yes, we have a very hard job to do, but underneath it all we are also human. Be kind to yourself, the job is manageable if you let it be, the moment you start biting off more than you can chew is when it becomes an issue.
Keep the people you love close around you, don't isolate yourself. Speak to your sergeants about any concerns you may have.
What three skills should all good police officers possess?
- communication
- energy
- resilience.
On the frontline, I've found that most situations are resolved or de-escalated through good communication, not physical strength.
Policing is a demanding career, you are always learning and adapting. It takes energy and passion, but that's what makes it amazing.
What type of person would suit this career?
Someone who doesn't want to work behind a desk all day, and loves a challenge. It's a rewarding career, and it would suit someone who has a strong moral compass and gets career satisfaction from making a real impact in society.
What are your career ambitions?
I look at my seniors in awe because of the responsibility and influence they have over their team, and I have always wanted that for myself too. Nothing should hold me back from aiming high.
But first, I want to be the best police constable I can be. I want to make sure I have the law nailed down and know exactly how to approach each and every job. I had a tutor who's been in the role for a while and looking at his ability to approach so many different jobs with confidence makes me want to be like that too.
Can you debunk a myth about working as a police officer?
That you don't have a life outside work. Honestly, I worried I was signing my life away when I applied for the job, but it's not true.
You have days off where you can rest and you get annual leave too. Don't think that you will never have any time off or time for yourself because it's simply not true.
What advice can you give to others considering the Police Now scheme?
Don't let your gender, your culture, or your doubts hold you back. You'll be surprised how quickly your skills and confidence grow.
It's a journey, and you’ll keep progressing, you just have to take the first step. Police Now will be there to support you, and you'll meet incredible colleagues in policing.
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