Police officer with autism on mission to stop the stigma surrounding disability

18 August 2022

“Never let your disability stop you,” urges a Hertfordshire Police Federation member who has recently been diagnosed with autism and appeared on national television to raise awareness around autism and neurodiversity.

PC Marcus Zost, who works on a Safer Neighbourhood Team, says that being diagnosed with a neurodiverse condition should not stop people from following their dreams, as he hopes to inspire youngsters from all backgrounds to apply for the Force, despite their circumstances.

The 31-year-old was officially diagnosed with dyslexia around 10 years ago but it was not until this year that he was formally given an autistic diagnosis.

“It wasn’t a shock when I was diagnosed and to be honest, I was relieved, suddenly everything started to make sense,” said Marcus, who admits he has always found social situations a challenge.

“I can be hypersensitive to noise, plus I have severe anxiety but have found techniques to manage that now. I feel like I’m understanding my emotions a lot better since being formally diagnosed.”

Marcus, who first joined the Force when he was 18-years-old as a volunteer Special, became a police officer six years ago. His passion has always been policing.

“I always wanted to be a police officer,” added Marcus, who admits he now uses some of his autism to benefit him while at work. 

“I now use symptoms of my neurodiversity to help me in my job. Like my attention to fine detail, or the fact that I can see crime patterns that not everyone can spot, or my passion for problem-solving, or my want to spend an extra hour to get a job finished - not because I get paid more but because I want to do the job right.

“I want people to celebrate their condition, and I want the police to be proactive about using our skills to enhance the Force.”

Marcus, who wants to stop the stigma surrounding disabilities, says the first step to raising awareness of autism was being interviewed on national television as part of BBC One’s Morning Live programme.

“I’ve started my mission now. I want people to believe they can be whatever they want to be,” he said.

“If you have a formal disability diagnosis, or an unofficial diagnosis, I want to tell people not to let their condition define them.

“There are things in place that are there to support you and help you. Be proud of who you are.”

After sharing his story on social media, Marcus received a message from a young boy with autism who one day aspires to join the Force, saying “your experience proves I can be an officer”. 

“That’s the key bit of the message. I want to prove to others that they can do whatever they dream of,” says Marcus.