Football Star Turns Police Officer: Amy Colledge Juggles Two Tough Careers
Meet Police Constable Amy Colledge, a woman who’s smashing it both on the football pitch and the beat. The 23-year-old Nottingham Forest player graduated as a police officer last Friday (25 November 2022) and says her elite football skills have given her the perfect foundation for life in the force.
Amy’s Dual Life: From Forest Pitch to Police Patrol
Amy admits juggling police training with Sunday football games is tiring but thrilling. “I love the challenge,” she reveals. “Training keeps me busy from 9-5 Monday to Friday, Saturdays off, then I play for Forest on Sundays.”
She credits the teamwork learned playing football for her success as a cop. “Teamwork is vital for football and policing alike. Problem solving only happens when you work as a team.”
Based in Broxtowe after completing her training, Amy was part of a 21-strong cohort that passed out together. She praises the class atmosphere as “fantastic.”
From Cheshire to Nottingham: Football, Degrees and Determination
Originally from Cheshire, Amy has a rich football pedigree, previously playing for Manchester City and Stoke City. She also holds a degree and a master’s in exercise physiology from Nottingham Trent University.
Amy hasn’t let stereotyping and discrimination hold her back. “It can be tough, but it builds a thick skin and determination to succeed,” she says. “It’s helped me handle conflict in police training too.”
Welcomed by Chief Constable on Final Parade
Amy and her fellow grads have risen through Nottinghamshire Police’s Initial Policing Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP), a course allowing non-graduates to join and complete internal training.
The graduation was overseen by Chief Constable Craig Guildford in one of his final duties before moving to West Midlands Police. He praised Amy’s promise:
“I am delighted to welcome PC Colledge into our ranks. She’s already showing tremendous promise. Teamwork and dedication are the core values we live by.”
Guildford added it had been an honour to welcome hundreds of new recruits during his tenure and stressed the importance of a fully resourced police force.
“The new officers we recruit are vital to reducing crime and keeping Nottinghamshire safe.”
Amy now hopes to represent the national police football team—proof that dedication on and off the field can lead to big dreams.
