Wiltshire Police has shared the story of one of its newest recruits during this Response Policing Week highlighting the work of officers who are often first on the scene.
PC Natalie Durman, based in Devizes, has spoken about the moment she came face-to-face with a man reported to be carrying a machete during her first shift on response.
The incident happened during her very first shift, when she was called to a reported burglary involving a suspect believed to be armed.
She said: “We came across the male. My sergeant drew his Taser, and I drew my baton and called for assistance. It was a moment where everything you’ve learned suddenly becomes very real.”
PC Durman said becoming a police officer had been a long-held ambition.
She first applied at 18 and later worked in the criminal justice system, including roles at Bulford Military Court and as a prison officer, before joining the police this year.
“Joining the police is something I’ve always wanted,” she said. “It just took a few different paths to get here.”
Since starting on response, she said the reality of the role has been both challenging and rewarding.
“You think you’re ready, and in some ways you are, but training only scratches the surface,” she said.
“There’s so much to know, and every piece of knowledge branches into something else you need to understand.”
She added that one of the biggest challenges has been the pressure to get things right while continuing to learn on the job.
“I like to know what I’m doing and why. A lot of policing, especially when you’re new, is learning on the job. I want to get things right, so that can be tough.”
PC Durman also said there are still misconceptions about what response officers do on a daily basis.
“Response is incredibly busy. It’s not just attending incidents. It’s investigations, welfare checks, follow-up work… the list goes on,” she said.
She added that public perception can sometimes be shaped by negative experiences or assumptions.
“Some people tar all officers with the same brush. Whether it’s because of past contact or stories they’ve heard, it can overshadow the good work being done every day.
“I absolutely love helping and supporting victims. When they leave and are more content, satisfied or confident that we will help them, it makes all the hard work worth it.”
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