From PCSO to Police Constable: Ryan’s Inspiring Journey

Derbyshire Police Federation member Ryan McGrath shares his remarkable journey of perseverance, personal growth, and success through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), a path that tested his resilience and rewarded his dedication.

Ryan graduated from the University of Derby in 2024 with a 2:1, completing a challenging three-year journey that combined academic learning with operational training. Reflecting on his achievement, Ryan describes how his determination, support from mentors, and the flexibility of the degree apprenticeship helped him overcome significant obstacles.

Discovering the path to policing

Ryan’s interest in policing began in his early teens, but he hesitated to commit fully to the career at first.

“I was pretty keen on the idea of becoming a police officer from my early teens, but I wasn’t fully convinced at the time - it’s a huge commitment, and you have to be all-in. I now know for certain that you cannot do it by halves.”

At the age of 23, Ryan began his journey in policing as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), a role that allowed him to gain experience without closing the door to other career options.

“As a PCSO, I met some really influential police officers and after a while I was ready to get more of a taste of what they did, but I was happy to let it continue being more of a slow burner so the degree apprenticeship made sense as the next step, as opposed to joining the force in the traditional way.”

Overcoming challenges

Transitioning to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship proved to be a significant adjustment for Ryan, who initially struggled with the academic side of the course.

“I’ve never been particularly academic, so that side of things definitely took some getting used to, there were times when I really wondered if it was right for me and wanted to give up. I even contemplated withdrawing from the course six times in as many months.”

During these moments of doubt, Ryan found support from his former PCSO supervisor, whose encouragement motivated him to keep going.

“Conversations with my old PCSO supervisor were huge in keeping me going with the enthusiasm I had for the practical side, I thought that would carry me through in the classroom. But I realised that wasn’t going to work.”

Ryan made the decision to persevere, re-evaluating his approach to studying and finding a new routine that worked for him.

“I started dedicating full days to assignments and study, instead of trying to fit 180 hours of study into a morning here or an afternoon there. This helped me focus and maintain momentum,”

Connecting the theoretical side of the course to his practical experiences on response also helped him gain confidence in his studies.

Balancing family life and studies

Ryan’s commitment to the degree apprenticeship was further tested when his life changed significantly during his second year of study.

“In June 2022, I became a father to twin girls, it was tough to squeeze in university assignments alongside two newborn babies. But by that point, my commitment to the degree apprenticeship was at the maximum. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I could do it if I put my mind to it.”

Through sheer determination and the support of his family, Ryan managed to balance the demands of fatherhood, frontline policing and academic study.

Achieving Success

By the end of the apprenticeship, Ryan had not only become a fully qualified police constable but also achieved a Bachelor of Science degree—an accomplishment he never thought possible.

“For someone who, as I said, was never strong academically, earning a degree means a lot to me, once I got to grips with the PCDA, I felt that what I was learning was genuinely helping me develop as an officer in day-to-day policing.”

Ryan’s hard work and dedication also saw him flourish in public order policing, becoming Police Support Unit (PSU)-trained and attending several high-profile events.

In 2024, he acted as a general patrol officer at the Paralympics in Paris, assisting French police throughout the Games.

National bravery award

Ryan’s commitment to public order policing and his courage in the line of duty earned him a nomination for a national Police Bravery Award in 2024. This recognition highlights his exceptional contributions to policing and his willingness to go above and beyond to serve his community.

Looking ahead

Now part of Ilkeston’s neighbourhood team, Ryan continues to consolidate his operational experience while applying the theoretical knowledge he gained during his degree apprenticeship. He remains focused on building a long and successful career in policing.