Police Constable Alena Moulton

Hear PC Alena Moulton from Derbyshire Constabulary discuss how she made the move from teaching to policing, what she’s finds most challenging about her policing role and what it’s like being a black, female officer on the force.    

Tell us a bit about your jobs before you joined the police? 

Before joining the police, I worked in education as a Head of Year in a secondary school and was also the head coach at Stoke City Ladies FC. 

You entered policing through the Degree Holder Entry Programme route – what was your degree in?

I graduated from university with a degree in Sociology and Politics in 2012.

What transferable skills do you think you’ve brought to your role as a police officer?

Being able to talk to a variety of people is a valuable skill in the police, I think my ability to speak to people from differing backgrounds has helped me in my role as a police officer. And my prior experience working in schools has helped me gain knowledge on the processes and support schools can offer. 

Do you feel like you’re part of a supportive team?

Being part of the team is like an extension of my family, we are really close. When you spend so long with each other and go to some jobs that aren't particularly nice, it’s important that we are supportive and all get along. 

How do your friends and family feel about you being a police officer?

People I know have had negative experiences with the police so naturally, they were slightly hesitant about me joining. As with any family member, they were worried about the types of jobs I would be involved in. Now that I've been a police officer for two years, they're more at ease with it. 

What would you say to other women thinking of joining the police but worry that they might not fit the mould? 

There is a role to suit everyone and after working in education for so long, I finally feel like this is the job for me. It is hard, the days can be long, but the job is so rewarding.