Why transfer to us?

“I met a detective who showed me around and explained the set up in Cambs. I got a feeling that I could only compare to when you look around a house that you want to buy - I wanted to work here. I admit that I had been pessimistic about ever having that feeling about a new force.

“I then met another detective and went through the type of work I would be dealing with in CID and then in December 2020 I arrived. The biggest challenge I found was keeping up with the lingo. Although we all do the same job, there is no doubt that we all have a different glossary, and it took me a while to learn the new terms and eventually I started to call an ‘afters shift’ a ‘late turn’.

“Since joining Cambs, I have been thoroughly supported, encouraged, and motivated by my supervisors and managers. I successfully passed my sergeant promotion board, and now developing towards the inspector promotion process. For the past 18 months, I have been working on our Chief Constable’s National Charging Portfolio, working closely with our partners in CPS, Home Office and Ministry of Justice.

“I am learning so much about the future landscape of policing and feel so privileged to be able to work towards positive changes nationally. However, I do still love investigating so I do as many night-crime and back-fill duties as I can so I can keep up to date with changes and ultimately because it makes me happy.

“I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing officers and now I feel like I have always worked here in Cambs and I am looking forward to my future in this force.

“My advice to anyone wanting to transfer is: teams change, districts change, managers and supervisors move on, but don’t stay where you are just because you are happy. You will absolutely find your feet in a new force. And lastly, there’s nothing wrong with saying ‘in my old force we did this’, providing it promotes positive change. It’s good to learn from other people’s experiences and don’t be afraid to suggest ideas for change.”

“I transferred for numerous reasons but the main one was quality of life. What I was looking for was a great work/life balance and this is exactly what I found here.

“I joined the police in 2018 and qualified as a detective while still at the Met. I spent time on a response team and then, as a DC, I mainly covered safeguarding which I thoroughly enjoy. I learned a lot in the exploitation team and in the CSU, which is the Met unit for domestic abuse.

“Don’t misunderstand me – I loved the Met and everything that it taught me and it made me who I am today. But transferring here was a great opportunity to keep developing my skills and to learn almost a new way of life.

“I found the transfer process extremely good, and my experience was brilliant. I was kept updated on the progress and had a point of contact available to me at any time. When I arrived, I was made very welcome. Training and meet and greet (even with the big boss) were amazing.

“All of us new transferees received all we needed in the first couple of days after our arrival. I felt I could communicate my needs and my voice was heard from day one. I expressed my preferences to work within a certain unit and this is how I found myself in the brilliant RIT, working with amazing people.

“New training and new personal development opportunities are encouraged here. Due to Cambridgeshire being smaller than the Met it seems like everyone knows everyone. It is never difficult to get hold of the ‘’right’’ person to help you, should you need it.

“When I speak to my friends and my former colleagues about my life now, I am excited to let them know how happy I am. Some worried about losing money if they transfer but I do not personally agree. My decision to transfer was not for money, but to experience less noise around me, less traffic, more trees and lakes, and being able to finish work and get home in ten minutes, and at the same time continue to do the job I love.

“I was, and still am, given plenty of time to adjust to my new environment but I do feel very supported in this transition. This, in short, is my way of letting everyone know that I have continued to feel the same, that I have made the right choice and that I have not regretted one moment since the move.”