What makes people join?

Sgt Danielle Liu
Criminal Justice Case Development Officer

"You're the one who can help, when there's no one else."

I suppose most nine-year-olds write letters to Father Christmas. Not me. When I was nine, I wrote a letter to the Chief Constable asking how I could join the Mounted Section. Every day for a week, I waited at the door for the post to arrive and was pretty disappointed when nothing came. My parents told me the Chief Constable was very busy and I shouldn’t expect to hear back, but that didn’t stop me from thinking about it day and night.

So, you can imagine my delight at what happened next. A week later, there was Gambler, a police horse, right outside my front door. The police had decided to respond directly to my letter, with a mounted officer visiting me at home to explain what it was like to be a police officer. He answered all my questions and later showed me round the police stables. That was the turning point – from then on, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I was older.

Ten years later, I joined Merseyside police. It was only after completing my probation, and being stationed in Lower Lane, that I felt I really became a police officer. In my time there, we handled everything from small disputes to emergency situations. Of course, the job can be challenging because people call us when they have nobody else to turn to. But the training and support I’ve received means that I can deal with it, whatever happens. That’s why this job is so satisfying – you’re the one who can help when there’s no one else.

Working here takes commitment and dedication – but if you bring it, people notice. Now I manage a team that handles the information of suspects we have in custody. We conduct interviews and compile files ahead of their court appearances. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I know that this work helps keep my community safe.

As a police officer, you get the chance to make something of yourself. It demands a lot of you, but if you step up and take on the challenge, you’ll be recognised. More than anything, this job is a chance to protect and serve my community – it’s why I wanted to be a police officer when I was nine, and it’s why I’m still doing it today.