Myles' story
"We're moving forward together and making good progress"
View the full video transcript
Male officer looking away from the camera in the gym.
00:00: - 00:04 Every single day is different.
Male officer in the changing talking to camera.
00:00: - 00:12 One minute you can be sat writing a report, and next minute you could be chasing someone down the street, it’s so varied.
Male officer stretching in gym, male officer in the changing talking to camera.
00:13: - 00:25 Being a colour blind police officer did affect me, on a daily basis from giving descriptions of people, to following vehicle, to giving descriptions while you’re chasing someone. It’s always been really, really hard for me.
Male and female officer doing bleep test. Male officer in the changing talking to camera.
00:26: - 00:35 I think it’s really, really important that the police are starting to diversify and really acknowledging the different disabilities and different restrictions people have in their lives.
Male officer in the changing talking to camera.
00:36: - 00:40 And that’s something that we’re moving forward with the police, making really good progress.
00:41: - 00:44 The glasses I wear allow me to see colour, which is something I’ve not been able to do until really, really recently.
00:45: - 00:47 So that’s a really positive push forward.
Police: Make Your Difference logo
For as long as he can remember, Myles wanted to be a police officer. In March 2017, his lifelong dream was realised when he joined Wiltshire Police as a regular police constable, after a stint as a Special Constable.
As a colour blind officer, Myles’ new career did not come without its challenges. He tells us what he enjoys most about his job, the hurdles he’s had to overcome and his advice to other colour blind people interested in joining the police.
Q. When did you discover you were colour blind and how does it affect you?
I was made aware that I was colour blind when I was 8 years old. There are lots of colours I struggle to identify, but I can’t tell the difference between red and green mainly. For example, if you were to throw a red ball on the grass, I wouldn’t be able to see it.
Q. Why did you want to become a police officer?
I’ve wanted to be a part of the police for as long as I can remember, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do! Put simply, I want to be able to make a difference and keep my community safe.
Q. How did you feel about joining the police as a colour blind officer?
I was apprehensive at first, and I actually failed my initial colour test with the police so I was asked to go to my optician for an extended test. There were criteria that I had to meet to be accepted into the force. These were certainly some of the more stressful moments I’ve experienced in my life, this was my dream job after all!
Q. How did your force help you?
When I first joined, the support was fairly limited, but then they issued me with special glasses that allow me to see colour, which is something I’ve not been able to do before. So that’s a really positive push forward.
And my colleagues were and always have been very supportive. They always allow me to take my time if I’m trying to identify a colour.
Q. What do you enjoy most about being a police officer?
The variety of every shift, it’s something different every day and you’re not stuck behind a desk 24/7. One minute you could be sat writing a report and next minute you could be chasing someone down the street. And I get to meet some amazing people.
Q. What ambitions do you have for your police career, e.g. are you looking to move up the ranks or apply for a specialist role?
I’m actually aiming to qualify as a Detective in the near future.
Q. What advice would you give to other colour blind people interested in joining the police?
Just go for it! Be open about being colour blind, don’t try and hide it. Embrace it! Support to help you do your job well will be there for you.
Any other questions on being a colour blind officer?
Myles is happy to help answer them – just email positiveaction@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
Be the difference
Police forces across England and Wales are embracing diversity in all its forms. Diversity helps us be the best police service we can be – a police service that people want to belong to.
Avon and Somerset Police have summed it perfectly in their new video:
What other support is there?
There are a number of support organisations working hard to promote diversity and inclusion and make sure every police force represents the communities it serves. Find out about the support available from each organisation and how to get in touch with them.