From the Beat to the Boardroom: How two former police officers turned Cisco apprentices are enhancing public sector support
3 min read
In the ever-evolving landscape of law enforcement, the demand for police resources is surging. Crime is becoming more complex, and the rise in cybercrime is adding new layers of challenge. Amidst this backdrop, two former police officers, now Cisco degree apprentices, are making waves in the Cisco UK Public Sector team, leveraging their unique backgrounds to support our police force customers.
Ben Blackburn and Harrison King both joined the Cisco apprenticeship programme in different cohorts but within six months of each other. It didn’t take long for them to realise they shared a similar background—both had previously served as police officers. Their decision to join the police force was driven by a desire to make a difference and help communities, to be a force for good. However, their impact was often hampered by inadequate technology systems and limited connection with other essential units like social services.
A New Chapter at Cisco
Recognising the limitations they faced in their policing roles, Ben and Harrison saw an opportunity to make a broader impact through technology. They joined the Cisco apprenticeship programme, eager to work in an environment where technology could have a positive impact on businesses and public services alike.
Their unique experience did not go unnoticed. The Managing Director of the UK Public Sector, Adele Every, reached out to the apprentice manager, identifying that Ben and Harrison’s firsthand experience as police officers would provide invaluable insights to support the Public Sector account managers who work with police forces across the UK.
Driving Conversations and Generating Pipeline
Ben and Harrison have been instrumental in driving more conversations within smaller policing accounts, generating a pipeline for the sales teams. Their operational knowledge and firsthand experience have proven to be invaluable assets in customer conversations. For example, helping to understand how Cisco’s observability solutions can ensure that applications and systems are running correctly, to maintain productivity and provide centralised platforms to enable better cross-service collaboration.
They are also passionate about improving the buildings that police officers work in, advocating for Cisco technologies for smart buildings—tracking energy usage, building occupancy, and improving sustainability.
Their insights have also been shared with Cisco’s innovation teams, helping them understand what a day in the life of a police officer looks like and how technology could better support them.
Voices from the Field
Reflecting on their journey, Harrison shared, “I guess the biggest thing was obviously just sharing the day in the life and the amount of value that people have gained from that. We could have easily just come in, and nobody would even notice our past work history, but the value has definitely been noticed, and I feel like that’s made quite a big impact.”
Ben added, “One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is talking to customers and effectively saying, ‘Look, I work for Cisco, I’m part of a sales team, but at the end of the day, I was a police officer. My friends are police officers, my parents are police officers’ and being able to have those conversations and discuss that has been incredibly rewarding.”
Looking Ahead
As Ben and Harrison move on to their next rotation in the degree apprenticeship programme, their impact on the team and for the police force customers they support is undeniable. Their journey from the beat to the boardroom is a testament to the power of leveraging unique experiences to drive meaningful change. At Cisco, they have found a platform where their passion for public service and technology can intersect, creating a brighter future for police forces across the UK.
In a world where crime is becoming increasingly complex, the insights and experiences of individuals like Ben and Harrison are invaluable. They remind us that sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to look at it from a different perspective—one that combines the heart of a public servant with the innovation of a tech professional.
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