New national recruitment campaign

We caught up with one of our TV stars, PC Jamie Kamoto, to hear more about his policing journey.

What's it been like to be involved in the new police recruitment advert?

It was a good experience - something that I’ve never done before. I’ve never really done anything in front of the camera.

What made you want to join the police in the first place?

I would trace it back to when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I’d been on a shopping trip with my Mum and I got lost. And I’m sort of wondering around in town, crying. A woman came to help me and she grabbed a police officer who helped re-unite me with my mum.

That was my first interaction with police officers and the initial spark that said I want to be part of this group of people that help people and serve the community.

And when I got older, the Macpherson report into the death of Stephen Lawrence kind of spurred me on to join the service - to bridge the gap between certain communities where there might be some barriers there.

I think that’s something I’d like to work towards, breaking down those barriers. Being part of the police and representing my community.

What have you enjoyed most about your police officer training?

I’d say probably the most interesting part was the officer safety training, where we learnt how to use the baton, handcuffs and the spray, and how to protect ourselves from a knife attack. And learning more about the body armour that we’ll wear, and how to carry out an arrest, and place handcuffs on offenders.

What would be your advice to someone who’s thinking about joining the police?

When I applied, I thought "I’m probably not going to get in". It was quite a long process, because you have the assessment centre and all the necessary pre-employment checks. But I’d say go for it - just try, because you never know.  

In the campaign we talk about the instinct to make a difference. Is that one of the reasons you thought being a police officer was for you?

Yes, I’d say it’s one of those jobs. It’s a vocation - I definitely think you do need the instinct to try to help people and to try and make society a better place and a safer place. I’ve got a young daughter and another baby on the way, so for me, I want to set an example for my kids and show them this is how you can be a good, productive member of society and do something good.

You want to be able to look back and say I actually did something that meant something, that made a difference, helped people, something positive. So yes, I do think you need to have that instinct to make a difference and be a force for good, really. Because if you don’t do it who else is going to do it?

Has Jamie’s story inspired you to join the police? Find out more about the rewards of policing.