New PCSO joins Derby beat

Starting a new job can always be daunting, but even more so when you’ve moved countries.

For PCSO Imane Lahdidi, an interest in policing, and watching Traffic Cops in her home country of Italy, persuaded her to make the move to Derbyshire.

She said: “When I was studying at a business school in Italy, I was watching all the activity at the police station opposite and it got me interested in working in the police.

“I decided to come and study a policing degree in Derby. Moving to a new country and city was hard, and I did struggle with my English at first. But this was helped by getting part time jobs in retail and bartending which also gave me skills I use every day as a PCSO.”

As well as speaking English and Italian, PCSO Lahdidi is also fluent in Arabic and can speak Spanish too.

But it’s some of the Derbyshire sayings that have proved tricky: “Being called ‘duck’ was a little confusing at first, but everyone has been so friendly, and it’s been great to get out in the community.”

PCSO Supervisor Matthew Thurman said, “PCSO Lahdidi has been doing a great job so far, she’s been paired with and mentored by one of our experienced PCSOs, PCSO Vanessa Humphrey, and been getting out and about to reinforce her training.”

He continued: "She’s a great asset to our team, and if she follows in PCSO Humphrey’s footsteps she’ll continue to be a great officer.”

We are currently recruiting for Police Community Support Officers.

If you’re interested in making a difference in communities in Derbyshire please visit our careers website to find out more.