Icenian Interview – Jack

Jack joined Langley in 2006, finishing nine years later with A-Levels in Media, Psychology, and BTEC in Public Services. After pursuing his dream career, Jack is a Police Offer and tells us how he got to where he is now.

Did you know what career you wanted to follow when you were at Langley?
Yes. Since a very early age I always wanted to be a Police Officer, and Langley made me want to be a police officer in Norfolk.

Which extra-curricular activities were you involved in at Langley?
The main activity I was involved in was CCF. However, I also enjoyed playing Rugby for the third team, being a part of lighting and sound in school productions and I was also Head of Crome House in my final year, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Do you think these activities have been useful within your career and gave you transferable skills?
The CCF was something that really helped me get into the Police. The skills needed to be a police officer are the same skills that I learnt from the CCF. A lot of policing is engaging with the public, showing leadership and protecting vulnerable people, all of which I learnt from Langley. Without Langley and the CCF, I would not be where I am today.

What did you do straight after school?
I spent time gaining life experience by working in the private security industry.

How did your career begin?
I applied to the Police first in 2014. This was my dream career and so everything I did thereafter was to gain the life experience required for the role. I worked for five years in the private security industry in order to deal with conflict and to perfect the art of de-escalating volatile situations by showing empathy and assertiveness. I then re-applied in 2018 and was successful.

‘Without Langley and the CCF, I would not be where I am today.’

Where are you now in your career and what have been the highlights?
I have now been a Police Officer for two and a half years policing Norfolk. I am in the process of becoming a Police tutor, which will allow me to train and support new officers on the streets before they become independent. I love my job and wouldn’t change it for the world.

What advice would you give to those considering their career choices?
If you know what you want to do for a career then that’s great; the support you will get from Langley won’t let you down and the staff will bend over backwards to get you where you want to be. If you don’t know about your career then that’s fine too, by sitting down and discussing it with them, Langley staff will give you everything you need to make a more informed choice.

Final thoughts
I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff who supported me and got me where I needed to be (I know it must have been a tricky task!). A special thank you must go out to Mr Cooper. Not only was he head of the CCF, he was also my House master in the boarding House. I learnt so much from him and I know that without him I would not be where I am today.