Student officer calls Federation a ‘lifeline’ when no one else listened

13 March 2023

A West Mercia student officer who lives with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has told how they felt like the Federation was ‘the lifeline they needed’ and the ‘only ones listening’ after finding themselves in the middle of a case conference.

Having joined the Force as part of the Government’s uplift of 20,00o officers, the Federation member, who will remain anonymous, said their experience continues to knock their confidence, as they tell how their focus is now just ‘being the best response officer possible’.

The officer is now choosing to share their story as part of this year’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week (13 - 19 March), which aims to bring about worldwide neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in schools and workplaces.

“Following a breakdown in the relationship between me and my first tutor, I was appointed a new one. At first, everything seemed to be going well but,within months, I began to feel like everyone was against me. I felt like I was being constantly put in unfair situations, and as a result, my coursework was really suffering,” they said.

“I honestly felt like people were out to get me sacked, like I was being set up to fail. The stress and pressure was really impacting the job. I found myself physically and emotionally in a downward spiral. 

“I was desperate, I needed help, I needed support. I was really struggling. I even started to question whether this was the job for me.”

In the summer of last year, they were taken to a case conference, which they explain is when they decided to reach out to the Federation.

They added: “The Federation representative I liaised with was amazing. She advised me along the way, pointing out any errors in the case conference and organising a screening for any other disabilities. Turns out, I have dyslexia, something I didn’t know I was living with. 

“She ensured that reasonable adjustments were put in place in accordance with my disabilities, including specific software on my computer. This also forced the Force to take my disabilities into consideration going forward, which meant it was OK for me to take my time when working and to do things a bit slower, which made a huge difference.

“She also signposted me to other organisations and people for extra support.

“I want to share my story as much as I can to give hope to others who find themselves in a similar situation.”

They found that nasty rumours had spread about them, and as a result, are still trying to ‘shake off’ what they feel is a ‘tarnished reputation’.  

“I want to grow but unfortunately reputations stick and people talk,” they said. 

“I have spent the past few months trying to unpick every little thing that has been said about me, and to prove that it’s not true. I am determined to do whatever I can to get past this, even if that means moving to a different station or even another force.”

They recalled how they were inspired to join the Force, having grown up surrounded by crime.

“I wasn’t in good company during my childhood,” they continued, explaining that their mum made the decision to move location, by way of trying to get them out of trouble.

“My big wake-up call was my mate getting killed, as a result of gang-related crime in the Midlands. That could’ve been me. Becoming a police officer was my way of helping to bridge the gap between the Force and local communities.”

If you think you are neurodiverse and feel that you need support from the Federation, then get in touch with the branch’s conduct and PIP lead Lesley Williams.