Special Inspector Hector
I am Group Head of Marketing Strategy for a global energy market intelligence business. My role when in the UK is mostly office based, but I do have to travel to places such as Houston and Singapore.
Have you undertaken any specialist training with the Special Constabulary (SC)?
I supervise a small team of special constables and trainee special constables, so my current focus is on supporting and developing them to experience as wide a range of situations and training as possible, but I’ve had some amazing specialist experiences such as:
- Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) Warrants
- Community Safety Unit (CSU), such as community events
- County Lines - drug dealers establishing networks for the supply and sale of drugs
- Missing Child and Exploitation Team (MCET)
- formed part of a small team of Kent specials who attended the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Specialist training:
- horse recovery
- B1/D1 driving
Invitations to specialisms/further training:
- drones
- public order
- Field Impairment Test (FIT) - test to check drivers for impairment through intoxication
- Intox
Most of my time is spent working with regular colleagues on LPT (Local Policing Team) who are the primary resource for responding to 999 police emergency calls and more recently supporting the Recruitment Team on bringing more specials into the Kent Police Special Constabulary.
Why did you choose to join the SC?
I felt I had something more to give outside of my ‘day-job’. Being able to give something back and support others is massive reason for becoming a SC, but I also wanted to put my professional skills to broader use. Being in my mid-forties made me feel that I have a variety of life experiences that could help me relate to people in different situations.
How have you benefitted from being a SC?
I think it’s easy to overlook the subtle effects that training to be a police officer and then becoming a police officer have on you. Having to make decisions in high pressure situations or staying calm when others around you aren’t really does ingrain a more considered approach. Something I’m sure many of my colleagues will also say, is that it really builds confidence in your own abilities and judgement.
How has your employer benefitted from you being a SC?
In my day-to-day work life I deal with conflict and negotiation much better and my understanding of mental health is a lot stronger. My approach to decision making is more considered and I feel I now have the ability to take many more factors into account. Being a police officer means being able to prioritise very quickly and that’s a real benefit to my professional life.