Megan Mullheir - BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice

What inspired you to join the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme?

I joined the PCDA programme as I really wanted to join the force but felt that getting a degree would broaden my career path. Nobody in my family has a degree and I really wanted to be the first to get one.

What were your initial expectations of the programme, and how have they evolved?

I truly didn't expect the degree route to be as hard as it was. It can be really challenging to balance the University workload, the GMP workload and also a social life however, with the right circle and support it does become doable in time. Sessions such as STO, legislation, and SDE days are crucial and each and every module has taught me some new legislation, powers or alternative actions I need to be a better and more efficient officer.

The job itself was also not what I expected and response is essentially jack of all trades, master of none - this can sometimes be a bit stressful and overwhelming but again, this does improve with time.

How have the Progress Review Meetings (PRMs) and your Learning and Development Coach (LDC) supported and benefited you so far?

My PRM's have been crucial to my development. Every 12 weeks I look forward to catching up with Laura and being able to vent my stresses or express some self-praise in a safe environment. I have been able to talk through my mistakes, challenges and everything else that I have experienced without fear of judgement or condescension.

How has the apprenticeship changed you professionally?

Professionally, I am now a much more cautious person and more observant but I do feel the apprenticeship has given me a truly distinct view on how to separate my personal and professional life in a way I haven't had to in my previous career.

What lessons have you learned from mistakes or challenges faced during the programme?

There have been many mistakes during my apprenticeship and there will continue to be throughout the rest of my career. Recognising this was difficult however it is important to see and acknowledge that nobody, especially in this career, can go a day without making a simple mistake.

What advice would you give to future apprentices considering this path?

I would definitely advise speaking to somebody already in the force prior to application to give them an actual sense of what the job is like. I would also advise sitting down with family members and communicating with friends to explain the strain of the shift pattern and the reality of the job. For me, the apprenticeship has changed my social circle and, due to shift patterns, it has narrowed to those who genuinely make time. In the beginning, I found that this added some strain on my family life and friendships but with time and compromise, this did get better.

I would also suggest looking into the different areas within the force that would provide future apprentices with a thought on their career path in the future.

How do you plan to use your degree and experience to contribute further to policing?

I plan to use my degree to continue my knowledge and broaden my network to the best of my ability. I also want to use the degree to my advantage and ask the tutors with previous policing histories to give me an in-depth insight into their roles and the pros and cons associated with them.

I also want to use my degree to further my career. I hope that by putting in the time and extra effort now,  it will reward me in the future and allow me to climb the ladder into the Senior Leadership Team.