1 week Ago
Detective constable Sophie was the first to join the force, driven by her passion for solving cases. Her decision to join inspired her mum, Chrissie, to take on a role as a call handler. Chrissie said: "As a mother, I was naturally concerned about the safety aspect of the job, but Sophie was determined to join TVP, and I was happy to support her.
"I attended a ‘Meet the Family’ event to learn more about her training and got chatting with the positive action and engagement team. "I casually mentioned that I’d love to join TVP myself but didn’t think there was a role for me. "To my surprise, they told me to explore the options.
That’s when I found the call handler vacancy in the control room. "I never thought for a moment I’d be accepted, but I got an interview and was offered the job. It was a surreal and exciting moment.
" Sophie, who was previously working as a forensic scientist, said: "I couldn’t help but read the cases we worked on and think, ‘I want to do that job'. "So, I joined via the direct Detective Constable Entry Programme. I was so excited, but of course, my mum worried - it’s what mums do.
"But after attending an event, not only did she see how incredible the job is, but she was inspired to apply herself. "She had mentioned years ago about wanting to be a call handler, and now, here we both are." The pair have formed a unique bond at work, with Sophie saying: "You form close bonds with your teammates in this job, but there’s something different about knowing your mum is just down the hall or bumping into her at the station.
"It’s even stranger when I meet people at events who already know her. "But it makes me so proud to hear my colleagues speak so highly of her and the work she does in contact management." Chrissie added: "I see both sides of policing, as a civilian and through Sophie’s experiences as a detective.
"We understand each other’s challenges and that support is invaluable. "I once had a particularly tough call, and Sophie saw that it had come through to her department. "She contacted me immediately to check if I was okay.
That kind of support means the world." The pair both spoke about moments when they have felt especially proud of each other. Chrissie said: "On my first day at TVP, Sophie messaged me to ask when I’d be arriving at the station.
"She met me on the stairwell and gave me a massive hug. Seeing her in uniform filled me with immense pride. "It made me feel so supported on my first day in my new role.
" Sophie added: "My mum makes me proud every single day. Hearing her on the airwaves, sending officers to jobs, checking in on them to make sure they’re safe, and supporting new recruits, it’s incredible. "But most of all, seeing how she reassures people who call the police, often in times of crisis, makes me admire her even more.
" The pair also spoke about the importance of family support in their policing careers. Chrissie said: "It means a great deal to be able to support each other in our roles. "Some of the officers in the station know me as ‘Sophie’s mum', which is so funny, and I love that.
" Sophie added: "My family has always supported my career, but having my mum in the police takes that support to another level.".
