PC Lucy McDonnell – a career motivated by my upbringing
Every police officer has their own personal reasons for wanting to take on the role. For some, it’s giving back to the community; for others it might be the challenge of the unknown. But for PC Lucy McDonnell, it was her experience growing up that was the biggest motivation and indeed what has shaped her career to date.
PC McDonnell admits that she didn’t always have the boundaries at home that others her age experienced. Policing as a career certainly wasn’t on her agenda growing up and yet it was PC McDonnell’s challenging upbringing that she believes has positively contributed to her long and successful career with TVP.
With so many potential pathways within policing, there’s a place for everybody and it was within the Youth Offending Team that PC McDonnell found her skills and experience were best suited: “I can really empathise with a lot of the kids that come in here. Maybe I’ve experienced some of the things they have been through or my family members have. I find it really rewarding.”
Approaching 15 years’ service, PC McDonnell believes new officers will find their place with the huge variety of roles and departments within policing: “Whether it’s the Mounted Section, Dog Section, Youth Offending, Counter Terrorism, Domestic Violence or Child Abuse, the opportunities are massive and all-encompassing.”
Inspired by PC Lucy McDonnell’s story? Visit our Police Officer page to explore our current opportunities.
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