I am currently working as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) which handles serious and complex crime. I joined via the fast-track detective scheme (DHEP DC) five years ago. I value the variety of work, where no two days are the same. One day we could be speaking to witnesses or interviewing offenders, and another gathering and analysing evidence for a fast-paced major incident. It is a challenging and demanding role but securing justice for victims of crime, protecting people from harm and supporting those who need us the most is a humbling and rewarding experience.

Detective Constable Fiona Napier

I joined Dorset Police in July 2025 under the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) entry route and am currently on week 15 of my initial training, where my fellow new recruits and I are learning the fundamentals required to carry out our roles as police constables. Following completion of my training, I am due to move to Bournemouth in January 2026 to begin my career as a response officer. Before I became a police officer, I worked various office-based jobs in the banking sector for seven years, where all the days blurred into one. However, every day of my police officer training has been varied, and I am excited by the diverse career that lies ahead of me. Going forward, I want to experience a whole range of aspects of policing in my career. I am keen to explore intelligence roles within the Force and continue to make a positive impact to the communities I serve.

PC Lee Johnson

I joined Dorset Police as a police community support officer in 2006 before becoming a police constable in 2009. Since January 2023, I have worked as a neighbourhood policing officer (NPT) in Shaftesbury. I enjoy working in my local community as I am committed to making a difference, having spent most of my career in frontline uniform roles, including response and roads policing. I am very passionate about the work I do in my neighbourhood role. I enjoy working closely with residents, businesses, community groups and partner agencies, as I strive to resolve issues and make it a safe place for the people who live there. Being a neighbourhood police officer is a role which has so much variety. One shift you might be executing a warrant and the next you might be driving a police vehicle to a local carnival or parade to engage positively with the public. I have recently passed my promotion exam for the rank of sergeant and am hoping to continue my work in a leadership role within neighbourhood policing.

PC Matt Saunders

I joined the police in 2005 and I took my sergeant's exam five years later. In 2016 I joined the firearms tram as an Authorised Firearms Firearms Officer. After having another baby, I decided the time was right to go for promotion. I am now an operational Firearms Commander and the Support Sergeant on the Firearms Unit. My role focuses on equality, diversity and inclusion within the unit, and the welfare of officers. I am passionate about encouraging people from all backgrounds to consider an exciting career as a firearms officer.

Sgt Hayley Crawford

I transferred to Dorset Police as a sergeant in 2015 after serving 18 years in the Metropolitan Police Service as a response and neighbourhood policing officer. I now lead a team of officers, who provide specialist support across the county, including public order policing, executing high-risk warrants, conducting searches and supporting major investigations. I also coordinate operational training for officers, ensuring they can respond effectively to critical incidents. I enjoy the teamwork and camaraderie that comes from working in high-pressure environments in an excellent team. I find supporting my colleagues across the Force and protecting our communities is highly rewarding. My ambitions for the future are to continue developing my leadership skills and tactical experience within the team, with a view to mentoring new officers to help build their confidence in operational policing. Longer term, I hope to contribute to shaping future training and strategy within FSG and across the wider organisation.

Police Sergeant Matt Whetham

I joined Dorset Police in March 2020 via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship scheme. During just my second day as a patrol officer, I had the misfortune to attend a fatal road traffic collision. However, from that point onwards I had the desire to join the Roads Policing Team (RPT) and make Dorset roads safer for all. Early in my career, I spent five years as a response officer at Winton police station. The diversity of the patch meant I attended all kinds of jobs and got to develop a broad range of skills. During this time, I trained to be an initial missing person search adviser to develop my navigation and leadership skills. I also completed my initial response driving course and initial pursuit course, which were all pre-requisites to joining the RPT. Additionally, I led several investigations that required detailed analysis before successfully making it to court and subsequent conviction. My current role now entails proactive, targeted police work based on force priorities and the ‘Fatal Five’ road offences. My shift varies greatly each day. On one day, I could be dealing with broken-down vehicles, road obstructions or targeting drink and drug drivers. On another, I could be dealing with organised crime gangs using our local road network or be first responder to a serious collision. Flexibility and collaborative working are key to my role. I enjoy responding to a variety of incidents, such as keeping the road network clear, dealing with high-risk road users and investigating complex incidents. Additionally, I like engaging with the public and educating road users on how to drive safely and remain compliant with traffic laws. Going forward, I would like to develop my skills within the serious collision investigation team, where they investigate the most serious and fatal road traffic collisions, before taking my sergeant’s exam.

PC Lauren Hobkirk

I had already spent a year as a special constable in Bournemouth when I joined as an officer, serving for six years as a response officer in Poole before joining the marine team. I love the fact that every day is different and I can do my bit to improve the area I live in. I have had some incredible experiences in this team that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Dorset Police also helped me to get an assessment and diagnosis for ADHD two years ago. My life as a whole is better as a result.

PC Libby Peak, Marine Force Support Group, Poole