Maria Carpenter

Mum-of-one Maria is a health and safety manager for a civil engineering company, covering East Anglia, outskirts of London and into Northampton.

She works out of Ely Police Station, covering East Cambs, and mainly does response shifts, but is also part of the Vision Zero team.

I have been a Special since June 2019 and became professionally competent (able to go out on my own) in summer 2023.

I had always been interested in the police, and applied to the regulars when I was 18/19. I was unfortunately knocked back, but probably wisely as I had had very little life experience at this point. I love being able to help people, especially at their lowest/most difficult times. I also want to protect people to prevent or lessen harm to them, probably a similarity to the day job there!

I fit in shifts when my little boy Alfred goes to his dad’s, so every other weekend. If there is a Special operation on or I have a day to take, I will take holiday from work and volunteer.

My favourite part of the job is not knowing what you’re going to get called to next, and when you get there, piecing all the information together to work out what’s happened. It also feels really worthwhile if I can help before an ambulance turns up, if first aid is required.

My message to someone considering joining would be do it! Grab the experience with both hands – you learn so much and meet so many different people in such wide-ranging scenarios. I have learnt skills and improved myself in ways you just couldn’t in most other positions.

Every shift is different, and some very challenging, but the buzz you get from being part of the police is something else!