T-winning at life

Twin sisters Jodie and Molly have made a lifelong dream come true as they both attest as police officers together.

Jodie and Molly Hill, 18, have both recently become fully fledged police officers after first getting a taste of the police life at a police fair aged just nine.

At age 13, they both joined the cadets to get a better insight into the three emergency services, meet new people and help raise their confidence.

Molly says: “I had an interest in policing from a young age and being a cadet meant that I could do community engagement while working with members of the public and police officers.”

They later went on to join Northamptonshire Police through the non-degree entry route, formally attesting as police officers last month.

Speaking about her decision to become a police officer, Jodie said: “I wanted to join the police as soon as I could and with this route it meant I didn't have to go to uni. I wasn't expecting to get in, however when I started passing all the assessments it felt more real. I think being at cadets helped me feel more confident in taking the next step as I knew what to expect, knew about the roles and responsibilities of the police, so I was confident in progressing to become an officer.”

Although both sisters went through all the processes together, they didn’t find out at the same time if they had been accepted. Jodie recalls: “I remember I was sitting in the living room when I got the email and opened it so quickly. I got my formal offer on Tuesday, however Molly didn't get hers until the Thursday. Waiting for Molly to get her formal offer was nerve racking as we didn’t know if she would be in. However, as soon as she got hers there was a massive relief and we were all so happy.”

Joining policing is a life changing decision. When asked about reservations they might have had, Jodie said: “The main doubt I had was whether I would be any good and if I would know what I was doing. However, knowing the level of training and tutoring we are given, I've realised I will learn everything. I've also met officers and found out no officer is going to know everything, and you will always be learning but will always have the support from colleagues and bosses.”

Molly received help from the Positive Action Team to overcome her fears, she says: “I had doubts about the interviews, however I got in touch with positive action who helped me by doing mock interviews, explaining what I need to do, giving me example questions and much more. With their help during the sessions, I overcame the doubts.”

Speaking about being twins in the service together, Molly says: “To have my twin in the service feels amazing. We both have different career paths to move onto in the future but to be working with each other in the same force is great.”

Jodie said: “I'm very excited to be doing training with her and then progressing onto different specialist units and watching us eventually go down different pathways.”

Oftentimes attracting women to consider policing as a career can be challenging, the twins were asked about their views of being women in policing. Jodie, said: “I don't really have any concerns as I know some great officers who are female and I know that I can be just as great as other officers if I put my mind to it.

“My family and friends are proud of me and think it’s a great job. I know my family do worry, as it is a hard job and you don't always know what you are going into, however I also know that I have help and support if needed.”

While the twins are only just starting their police careers, they were asked whether there was any competition between them. Jodie answered: “Everything we do we try and put it in a competitive way to make both of us improve and become better. However, with the police it’s all about working together and helping each other rather than competing against each other. We however both have different routes we want to take and specialise in so I think there may be a bit of competition to see who progresses first!”

If anyone would like to find out more about a career in policing or view our vacancies, please go online at www.northants.police.uk/careers