From Mum to Met: Police Constable Joy Kyei’s Unstoppable Journey
Police Constable Joy Kyei, a mother of four, shares a powerful story this Mother’s Day. Despite tough questions sparked by George Floyd’s murder, she’s determined to make her children proud and change policing from within.
Driven by Tragedy and Determination
Growing up in South East London as one of the few Black kids, Joy witnessed racism firsthand. When two of her friends were murdered due to racial hate and the police response shocked her, she vowed to make a difference—by joining the Met.
“I was just a teenager when I decided to ‘infiltrate’ the Met Police. I wanted to make change from the inside,” Joy reveals. Years later, life as a full-time mum seemed to put that dream on hold.
Answering the Call: From Special Constable to Full-Time Officer
One day, after school runs, Joy heard a radio advert for female special constables. She signed up and loved patrolling Westminster on her own schedule.
“My paid colleagues urged me to become a ‘regular’ officer. I laughed it off—I had three kids!” she recalls. But when she discovered part-time policing was possible, Joy jumped at it, starting an 18-week tough training course at 32.
“Dropping the kids off, training all day across London—it was tough. But my kids were the fuel that kept me going. I wanted better for them.”
Police Family Support and Balancing Motherhood
As graduation day approached, tickets to the ceremony were limited. Joy only had two, but she had three children. Her colleagues stepped in, gifting her enough tickets so her whole family could witness her achievement. “I was humbled,” she says.
Life threw more challenges her way when she divorced and lost her childcare support. Ready to quit, her inspector refused, helping her find a way to balance single motherhood and policing. Encouraged by a sergeant who was also a mum, she pushed her career forward.
Facing Tough Questions After George Floyd
Then came the blow of George Floyd’s murder. Her grown children asked: “Are the police racist? Why do you still work for the Met?”
“That inner voice reminded me of my friends lost to racism and questioned my police family,” Joy admits. After soul-searching, she chose not to back down.
She launched the Black Police Network Strand, boosting confidence for Black African and Caribbean officers in the Met. Together, they’re changing the force from within.
“When my children ask me about policing, I can proudly say things are changing. I’m doing my part.”
Want to make a difference like PC Joy Kyei? Visit www.met.police.uk/careers to start your journey.
