Volunteers’ Week: Special inspired by TV police shows

5 June 2026

A Special Constable says she was inspired to be a police officer by crime documentaries and TV programmes such as Police Interceptors.

However, Kirsty Watson’s career took her down a different route, and it was when a Suffolk Police recruitment officer visited a previous workplace that her interest in policing was rekindled.

Kirsty was speaking during Volunteers' Week about her experience as a Special Constable.

She said: “I've always wanted to go into the Force, but I've never really known how to get in.

 

Special Constable Kirsty Watson

 

“I’ve always enjoyed Police Interceptors on TV, crime documentaries and things like that.

“I think the interest in what I was watching on TV, made me think I could go into something like that.

“My previous full-time employment actually invited the police recruitment team.

“I went to the meeting and walked out with an application form and thought, what better way to try it out and give it a go than as a Special.”

Career path

Although policing had long been an interest, Kirsty has pursued a different career path after leaving school.

She studied sport at college and has worked retail, administration, and logistics, building a wealth of experience dealing with people from all walks of life.

Those skills, she says, have proved invaluable in policing.

She said: "A lot of what we do comes down to communication, understanding, and empathy. Your best tool is your voice.

"In previous jobs I dealt with stressed customers, complaints, and difficult situations.

“It’s taught me how to listen to people and understand where they're coming from. All of my previous work has definitely played a part in helping me as a Special."

Kirsty is now almost 11 months into the role and said variety is one of the aspects she enjoys most.

11-hour shift

She said: "I've got quite a regimented lifestyle, so having something where no two days are the same is great.

"You never know what you're going to go to, what you're going to see, or who you're going to encounter."

One recent 11-hour shift saw her attend seven separate incidents, while another was spent providing constant supervision of a detainee in custody.

"It can be completely different from one shift to the next," she said. "That's what makes it exciting."

Kirsty said that volunteering as a Special has also provided valuable insight into what a full-time policing career could look like.

She said: "It's helped me understand the realities of the job and whether it's something I might want to pursue full-time in the future.”

She has also been encouraged by the support she has received from family and friends.

Special Constable

"When I told people I was training to become a Special Constable, they said they couldn't think of anything that suited me better,” she said.

“Having that support was really nice."

Among the highlights so far have been being part of major local events, including the Suffolk Show, Hadleigh Show and Felixstowe Carnival.

"It's been great seeing that community side of policing and engaging with people," she said.

"You have children getting excited about policing. You can imagine that in 10 or 15 years' time they might be the ones joining the force.

“But then, seeing some of the things you've watched on television and actually being part of it can be an adrenaline rush.

“It’s all part of the role, and I really enjoy it.”

READ MORE: Calls for stronger criminal justice support for officers attacked on duty.