There have been a few police officers down the years who have left the service and re-trained as a barrister or lawyer but there can't be many examples of people who have done it the other way around, 

A career in the police had always intrigued Christopher Mitford having a grandfather and great-grandfather serve with Durham Constabulary, but after many years as a lawyer and then law lecturer, he thought life had taken him down a different path.

However, after a stint working abroad investigating money laundering for a bank and then teaching courtroom skills to new police recruits, he knew the desire to become a police officer was not going away.

“There were a few things that all came together at the same time, and I kept asking myself ‘would I make a good police officer?’ and I didn’t want to be retired and look back and think I hadn’t taken the chance, so decided just to go for it.” PC Mitford said.

“It was a massive culture shock because being a police officer is way of life, not just a job.”

Now a year into his probation as a response officer in Stanley, PC Mitford says that his short service has already resulted in him seeing things from a different perspective to that of a defence barrister.

“I love the teamwork and the comradery,” he said. “One of the most fulfilling experiences was working with a colleague to talk someone away from the edge of a bridge and one of the worst experiences was seeing the aftermath of a suicide by hanging.

"The good experiences outweigh the bad but performing the role can have an impact on your mental health – so you have got to be robust.”

At 51, Christopher said he knew he was likely to be the oldest recruit in his cohort but said this did not put him off.

“I knew I would be one of the oldest to apply but everyone has been very supportive, and I work with excellent colleagues.

"Sometimes having that life experience works in my favour, especially when dealing with older people,” he added.

“I also knew it would have a significant impact on my social and family life, so I sat down with my wife and we had a long chat about that – it’s important to be realistic as working shifts and anti-social hours is inevitable.”

PC Mitford said he is looking forward to trying the different roles within policing but says he aspires ultimately to join CID.