Chelsea Calver

I have been working for the force for just under two years now, the time has passed by so quickly. I have learnt an incredible amount in this space of time, and continue to learn something new every day, not only from my colleagues, but also from all those I speak to. I can see myself working here for a long time – there are many different departments I didn’t even know existed before I was employed by the force, I hope to explore more in the future.

What 3 words would you use to describe a typical day as an emergency call handler?

Every single day is different, but I would say all of them are challenging, insightful and gratifying.

What do you think it takes to be good at your job?

Excellent communication skills are essential for the role. Having the ability to show empathy and compassion is also extremely important. I believe it is vital that those that do this role have a genuine willingness to want to help others, after all, that is what every individual who makes contact with the police wants – help!

What surprised you when you first started working as a call handler?

I did not realise just how many reports Cambridgeshire Constabulary take on an average day (of course I did my research prior to starting, but those numbers do not sink in until you’re part of a team dealing with them all!). I was surprised how quickly we jump from call to call, and adapt our approach and response accordingly – we are very resilient people!