Former NHS worker hangs up scrubs for police career

A Former NHS physician associate whose role was cut has relocated 200 miles to start a new career as a neighbourhood police officer.

Jake Quinn, 31, was working as a physician associate in Salford until the start of 2025, when his position was cut.

He started looking at roles in the police after a friend suggested a career change. He found an opportunity with Avon and Somerset Police and moved to the area in July 2025, later making his home in Warminster.

Jake, who is originally from Oldham, said, “My mate works for Greater Manchester Police, and he said maybe I should give it a go.

“Being made redundant was an awful experience. I thought that job was going to be for life, and then it just ended. So, I thought, I’ll join the police and move to Somerset. It was quite spontaneous. I thought ‘I’m only 30, so why not?’”

Jake found his job through Police Now, an organisation which helps graduates discover roles in policing and provides training and development.

He worked in Bristol and Portishead before settling into his placement as a neighbourhood police officer in Frome. His career began with seven weeks of intensive training at Police Now’s residential academy before joining Avon and Somerset Police, where he is completing the two-year programme.

One year into the role, Jake has dealt with illegal raves, banned shoplifters from shops and dealt with homes that have been ‘cuckooed’, where a vulnerable person’s property is exploited, commonly to facilitate the dealing, storing or taking of drugs.

Jake has also been able to bring some of the skills from his medical training into his policing role.

“I used to take a lot of patient history, finding out information and asking people questions,” he said. “I’m quite good at that and use it when interviewing witnesses. Finding out exactly what went on, every bit of detail I can get, that’s quite similar to what I used to do.

“I was a confident person before but you gain real confidence, especially when you’re wearing the police uniform, to just go in and get it done.

“I’ve had to manage my time efficiently. In neighbourhood policing, you’re managing your own workload and I’ve got better at that.”

A year into a new career that saw him move across the country, Jake says he has “no regrets” and has bought a house to put down roots in the area.

He said, “Initially I thought I’d just do neighbourhood policing for two years and then move to patrol. But I’ve really enjoyed neighbourhoods, and how busy it’s been.

“I think I’ll stick with it for an extra year and then likely move to patrol. I do want to do that eventually, because I enjoy the fast-paced nature of it and I don’t want to miss out on that.”

Jake is now looking forward to a future in policing and has advice for anyone considering making the switch.

He said, “You need to feel confident about making that step. If your heart’s not in policing, and you’re not up for the challenging times as well as the good, you won’t enjoy it.

“It’s not a cushy job. If you want to be home on time after every shift and you don’t want to work nights, it’s not for you. But if you’ve got the heart for it, and you’re up for it, then go for it.”

Photo: Jake Quinn x2