Each month, Harrow Online liaise with Met police to bring you ‘Behind the Badge’. In this months edition, we spoke with PC Hannah Morris, who works on the new Wembley Town Centre team.
What is your current role?
I have been working within the MPS for just under two years as a police constable. Since beginning my career, I have been posted into a variety of exciting roles including being on the Violence Suppression Unit, Emergency Response Team and Safer Neighbourhoods Team. My current role is a PC on the new Wembley Town Centre Team based out of Wembley Police Station, where we tackle violent crime, anti-social behaviour, robbery and other acquisitive crimes.
What made you decide to become a police officer?
When I left university I was feeling slightly lost, I saw an advert for the MPS online but never thought it could be something I would do or apply my degree too (I couldn’t have been more wrong), and none of my family or anyone I know were in the police. I have always been active and studied a degree in the performing arts so I wanted a career where I could be kept on my toes. The job has given me a place where my capabilities are limitless, I have been able to transfer and develop my confident nature, communication skills and creative thinking to a variety of different incidents and opportunities in the MPS. In the MPS and on the Wembley Town Centre Team I feel valued as a person as well as an officer. Since joining I have never looked back and would not change my career.
What are the difficult things in your job that the public may not realise?
One of the most difficult things about my job that the public may not realise is the effect it can have on your life outside of work. From the long hours, lack of sleep, missing family and friends to the incidents that can stick with you for years. It is important that these things are addressed. This could not be tackled without the support of our colleagues and each other, there are so many amazing and supportive officers and people within the MPS who are there for each other. I have never been in an environment where I have felt more supported with my personal life and when on the front line.
I have a large family and often I will attend incidents where the people involved are of the same age as my siblings. These people could be victims of serious crime or have committed the crime themselves. These incidents can sometimes be harder to deal with internally afterwards as they hit close to home.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has to include teaching and helping members of the public to understand what we do and why we do things, changing even just one persons perception of the MPS and how they interact with other officers in the future is very satisfying.
Also rewarding is being able to meet a variety of different people at different events such as sporting events, motoring events and religious festivals that I have been able to be a part of since joining the MPS. Even having been born and raised in London, there are so many pockets of society that I did not know existed. In this job you are constantly learning and growing not only as an officer but as a human being.
Another rewarding aspect of my job is the rule of cake fines! I just have to try and stay on the receiving end of the cakes!
What advice would you give to people thinking of joining the Met?
The best piece of advice I could give to someone thinking of joining the MPS is to stop thinking about it and do it! Do not underestimate yourself, go for it, be confident and try to learn something new every day no matter how small. Also to get yourself a set of good pens, a flask and a bag for snacks, you never know where this job will take you.
One more thing about me…
I used to be a ballet dancer, now I am a rugby player and a police officer, do not limit yourself.
