Police Constable Samson Akinnawo

"I was always fascinated by police programmes and police cars when they drove by."

PC Samson Akinnawo has been in the Met for two and a half years and currently works in a Safer Neighbourhood team.

What is your day-to-day like?

Currently I am part of a safer neighbourhood’s team, which is mainly based on community engagement and issues that can be dealt with slow time. Usually, I will go into the office get up to speed with what is happening in the borough and area I work in.  We then look at reports that have come in from the night before concerning anti-social behaviour, and visit some of the people that have been involved or in some of the hotspots. It is different every day; sometimes we do reassurance visits to people that have been victims of crime and chat with them and make sure they are ok. Sometimes you might have a report that a group are in a specific area and we have to go there and move them on or if you have grounds to, we make arrests.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Helping victims and seeing the smile on their face after you have helped them, knowing that you have gone to work and always constantly do the right thing for the public.

Can you give an example of a stand out moment where you feel you made a change?

I came across a high-risk missing person who went missing from a care home. Initially the call came out as shop lifting and after further investigation, we realised he was a missing person and we had to take guardianship of him. I spent seven hours of my shift with him, we got talking and he told me he lived in high crime area, was born into crime and so felt he had no choice but to be part of a gang. After talking to him I discovered he was into music and was a boxer. I started talking to him about music and tried to encourage him to focus his energy into music instead of into crime. I did a quick search and found some music companies that work with young people in his area and signposted him to them. After this, he told me I was a pretty cool, down to earth police officer.

What inspired you to become a police officer?

From a young age, I have always wanted to be a police officer. I was always fascinated by police programmes and police cars when they drove by. I like helping people and I want people to look at me and see a change and think if he can be a police officer then I can be one too. I say that because I wasn’t the model child in school, I was not the best-behaved student and thought if I can change my life around anyone can. My teachers would never predict that I would be a police officer so if I can do it anyone can do it.

Having decided to become a police officer, have you had to overcome any significant barriers?

In terms of personal barriers, sometimes when I go to places, I get a reaction from people of my community calling me names.  I say to them if you want a change then this is the first step to change, having people that look like the community in the police. What would you rather see? Police officers that all look the same or would you rather see police officers that look like the community that we serve?

How have you seen the Met change?

I had heard about some people’s perception of the Met but personally I haven’t experienced what I have heard. In terms of the Met, I feel everyone is treated fairly, in every team I have worked in I have always felt like I’m part of a family.

What is one skill you have developed becoming a police officer that might surprise people?

My ability to stay calm in very irate and stressful situations. My family and friends 8-9 years ago would have said I am very hot headed but that doesn’t come out at work or my personal life. I have learnt the ability to stay calm and think about the victims and suspects. Communication is also key, speaking to people from different cultures, different ages and sexes.

What is one skill that you have taken from a previous job that you didn’t expect to be useful in the Met?

I’ve learnt that communication is key. Taking that skill from my old job and using it to speak to people from different cultures, different ages and sexes. It helps me relate to all different types of people.

What do you like doing outside the job?

I have a son who is 11 years old, I spend my time away from the job with him, going swimming, playing football. We are also part of a father and son society where we go on trips away every couple of months and take part in activities every couple of months. Spending time with my family is also really important to me.