Morgan Phillips
Gaining professional confidence through policing
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I definitely feel more professional in the way I speak. It’s made me more confident in being myself, too.
A real-world approach that made perfect sense
My interest in policing came from working in security for about a year. I’d often see officers come into the hospital and I found myself really drawn to the job. I’ve always enjoyed crime documentaries and series, and working in that kind of environment just felt like the right fit. After comparing courses, USW stood out. Reading about the course, seeing that we’d be taught by ex-police officers, that practical side of learning really appealed to me. I also didn’t want to move away to study, so choosing USW was the obvious option.
Since starting, I’ve become a student volunteer with South Wales Police, which USW helped me get into. We’ve also had plenty of guest speakers, including active officers and former chief constables. It’s been great to get that insight into real-world policing while learning on campus too. The Crime Scene House and Hydra Simulation are brilliant. We use them to run through practical investigations, from collecting forensic evidence to helping a victim in a simulated situation. It gives you that hands-on experience which I think is essential in this line of work.
Find your courseLooking ahead to a career that supports others
I’d love to go into family liaison or victim support work - something where I can help people through really difficult times. That sort of role, maybe in CID, is where I see myself heading. The course has helped shape that direction, especially through modules where we’ve had to step into the role and think practically about how we’d manage those cases.
The biggest thing I’ve gained is professionalism. I’m a lot more confident in how I communicate, especially from working closely with lecturers and through my volunteer work. My advice to anyone thinking about studying policing is to take every opportunity the course gives you. If it’s what you want to do, don’t hold back - say yes to everything. It’ll be over before you know it, and everything you put in now will help you stand out when you apply for the force.
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