Police Constable Tony Hazelhurst-Kilsby

"I've always had that inner feeling of wanting to protect people and make a difference in people lives."

PC Tony Hazelhurst-Kilsby joined the Met two years ago and works on an emergency response team.

What is your day-to-day like?

Working in South East London is very challenging and every day is different when working on response. I respond to a variety of 999 calls from shoplifting to burglaries to domestic incidents. Every call is different and I have to use a variety of skills to deal with each one. For instance, I may have to show authority and try and calm down a situation, or with another call I might have to show compassion dealing with the family of a loved one who has passed away.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is knowing I've helped someone in their darkest time. People call the police when they have no other option and often in their time of need. It’s rewarding to go home knowing I've made a difference in someone’s life and knowing I've done the right thing.

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

I once attended a call to check on the welfare of a man who was walking in the road towards traffic. When I arrived on scene I could see that the man was clearly putting himself in danger and desperately needed our help. Myself and a colleague acted quickly in order to protect him and removed him from the road and got him the medical help he needed. After speaking with him at the hospital he explained that he had lost his family and felt he had no other option. A few months later the same man recognised me and thanked me for “saving his life”. He said he was incredibly grateful for the help that police gave him that day and that he was thankfully he on the right path now.

What inspired you to become a police officer?

I've always had that inner feeling of wanting to protect people and make a difference in people lives. I was a Special Constable for 4 years and during that time I found I enjoyed the adrenaline and the positive impact I was having. Each day is different and there’s something exciting about that.

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

When I joined the Met my parents and partner were worried about me joining in case I got hurt doing my job. I quickly tried to reassure them about the positive things the job brings and that if I ever need my team urgently at a job they’re never far away. Of course my family and partner still worry but I know they’re proud of me.

How have you seen the Met change?

I’ve only been at the Met for a short time but I've already seen a change and that’s from the new officers joining. Everyone has the same mind set of wanting to make the Met a better place for our communities, victims and colleagues.

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

I'm more resilient and patient then I was before I joined the job which I think is a positive thing.  My friends and family have said I've grown up since and become a better person since becoming a police officer.

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

Working as a member of cabin crew I had to use customer service skills every day. Policing is very similar where your main skill is talking to people whether that’s suspects, victims or witnesses. I find working my experience of working in customer service has really benefited me as most of the time communication is my main tool.  

What do you like doing outside the job?

Outside of policing I love to stay on top of my fitness, I find it helps to unwind after a long day and of course helps when at work. On my rest days I enjoy spending time with my partner, family and friends.