POLICING had always been in the back of Alexandra Lynch’s mind, she had just never been confident enough to take the plunge.
But having seen the devastating impact of domestic abuse take its toll on people she knows, the 24-year-old felt she couldn’t sit back any longer.
It’s why her graduation alongside her 61 others meant so much, having finished her course at the Essex Police training college.
A total of 24 of the officers are also on the Investigate First programme with the freshly titled PC Lynch, meaning they’re gearing up to become the force’s next batch of detectives.
She will now join Colchester’s local policing team for the first ten weeks after her graduation, after which she will link up with the domestic abuse investigation team for a further 12 weeks.
It will allow PC Lynch to achieve her dream of becoming a detective, having got a taster for a broad range of the force’s specialist teams during a two-year development programme.
She said: “It’s been inspiring meeting and talking to colleagues with different specialisms.
“The child abuse investigation team, the human trafficking and modern slavery unit, and other detective units have come to speak to us.
“They’ve talked about their day-to-day role, what they do and the future possibilities. The opportunities are endless.
“Though detectives and police officers have different roles, they’re both equally as important as one another. We can’t function as a force without each other.”
The prospect of “digging deeper” and “seeing an investigation all the way through to the end” is something PC Lynch is looking forward to.
She explained: “I want to be involved in victim support and public protection too. I want to be that gateway to help them get their voice back and make sure they’re heard.
“I personally feel quite passionate about the domestic abuse investigation team. I know people who have been victims and I know how it can silence them.
“The way domestic abuse is perpetrated is so hidden, so sinister, that sometimes you wouldn’t know if your friend, neighbour or someone you might know is a victim.
“No-one deserves to be abused. A lot of people might think the police won’t help or will make things worse, but it shouldn’t be that way.
“We will be there to protect you and help you get out of those situations.”
Policing has always been in the back of PC Lynch’s mind, but over the years she has grown more confident to take the leap. Now 24, she feels like this will be the job she will do for the rest of her life.
“The main reason I never applied before is because I didn’t believe in myself but then I just thought I’ll give it a shot,” she added.
“You’re not going to know if you don’t take the risk. I’m really glad I did.
“I know they say you shouldn’t have regrets, but the only thing I do think to myself is I wish I’d joined five years ago – but I am happy where I am now.”
Offering some final words of wisdom to encourage others considering a similar role, she said: “Don’t doubt yourself.
“There are ups and downs to everything in the journey here, don’t let things knock you down and make yourself get back up if you do.
It’s just about believing in yourself; it’s fine to have a wobble. Be open with your tutors, as they will always support you and won’t leave you behind.
“You will be so proud of yourself at the end of it.”
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