We are delighted to congratulate Old Trident Frankie Budden (Class of 2022), who passed out as a qualified police officer with Nottinghamshire Police in March this year, marking the beginning of the career she has always known she wanted.

After completing her A Levels Frankie went on to the University of Essex, where she studied Criminology and American Studies. Her interest in policing had started much earlier, however. Growing up watching fictional crime shows and true crime documentaries sparked a fascination with the profession, and she says she has never seen herself following a different career path.

During her final year at university, Frankie applied to join the police. Following a highly competitive selection process, including interviews, fitness tests and medical assessments, she joined the police academy a few months after graduating.

Her time at Trent College had given her a strong foundation for the challenges ahead. Sport, in particular, helped prepare her physically for life as a response officer.

“Trent developed my stamina and endurance through netball and that is a key quality a response officer, especially on those foot chases.”

She also found that lessons and activities beyond the classroom had prepared her in unexpected ways; Frankie attributes the support of Mr Butler and the RS Department in helping her to develop her ethical thinking, something she continued to draw on at university and now in her professional life:  “It has helped me with decision making and with keeping my emotions intact”, she explains, an important skill in a profession where officers can be exposed to difficult and traumatic situations.

Even her time in the School’s CCF proved useful. Regular parades and weeks spent learning to march in unison and respond to commands from the Drill Sergeant gave her a head start when she arrived at the Police Academy. Those skills would eventually be put into practice at her own passing-out parade.

“Thanks to Trent, I didn’t struggle as much as everyone else!”

After completing her training, Frankie passed out in March, beginning her career on the frontline with Nottinghamshire Police. The transition from the Academy to frontline policing has been a significant one. While her training prepared her to deal with offenders, support victims and use tactical force, if necessary, she says that nothing could quite prepare her for the reality of being a frontline officer.

“There are challenging moments”, she explains, “I’ve experienced abuse while on duty, been a victim myself whilst doing the job and faced situations where I’ve been scared about what I might encounter when responding to a call.”

She continued: “But there are also many moments that make the role hugely rewarding,  from the adrenaline and nerves of a blue-light run to returning to the station knowing I’ve handled a difficult situation well, helped someone through a difficult moment or prevented an offender from causing further harm.”

“This job is so rewarding, whether it’s helping someone get home safely, giving someone the support that no one else would give them, or knowing that you’ve put away an offender and they can no longer hurt people.”

Just a few months after passing out, Frankie returned to Trent in June to take part in our What’s My Line? Year 10 careers event. This time, she arrived not as a student considering her future, but as a qualified police officer, wearing her uniform and bringing along the equipment she carries as part of her day-to-day role.

Her visit gave pupils a valuable insight into the reality of working in the police, allowing them to ask questions and see for themselves some of the kit used by officers. It was a fitting opportunity for Frankie to share the experience she has gained so quickly since leaving Trent.

Her advice to pupils considering a career in policing or another service-focused profession is simple: be yourself.

“If you are brave, want to make a difference, and are prepared to be the person that is there for people in the darkest moments, you’ll go far.”

She admits that she began her training with few expectations and, as one of the youngest recruits, was eager to experience the adrenaline of blue lights. The academy was, she says, the hardest thing she has experienced in her life, harder than both her A Levels and degree!

Yet nine months into her career, she has already seen a significant change in herself.

“Although I go into work each day putting myself in danger, dealing with trauma or criminals, it is all worth it and I’ve seen a bigger difference in myself in the past nine months than I’ve seen in years.”

From her early interest in policing, through her time at Trent College and studies at Essex, the challenge of police training and her passing-out parade in March, Frankie has now begun the career she always knew she wanted. It is wonderful to see her return to Trent so soon afterwards to share that experience with the next generation of pupils.

Congratulations, Frankie, and best wishes for the next chapter of your career with Nottinghamshire Police.

View our What's My Line? Year 10 Careers Neworking event feature HERE

SHARE YOUR CAREER INSIGHTS

If you would like to share your career journey, the highs and lows, and inspire the next generation, please get in touch.  We are already planning the next What’s My Line? Careers Networking event for summer term 2027, and scheduling the 2026/27 careers speaker calendar.   Careers talks take place in person at Trent College and via online meeting.