Flight Lieutenant Ali Brookes
Job role: RAF Police Officer

Joined the RAF: 2001

Overseas travel: Falkland Islands, USA

Career highlights:

• Being involved in classified intelligence operations in the Falklands
• Representing the RAF at rugby union and cricket

‘I’m really passionate about my job and I think this is a great organisation to work for. I’ve been given exposure to lots of new areas of work – things I wouldn’t have experienced anywhere else.

‘I joined the RAF in 2001, having previously worked for more than three years as a police constable in the West Yorkshire Police. I couldn’t see myself doing the work of a civilian police officer for the rest of my life – I really wanted to find a role with broader variety.

‘It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true: no two days are the same. Security is really diverse. All my days start in a typical way, but by 8:20 that’s all changed!

‘I’m currently Station Security Officer at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, which means I’m responsible for all aspects of policing and security at the base that’s home to the Typhoon.’

Web Chat session with Flight Lieutenant Ali Brookes - Wednesday 28 March 2007

All questions were moderated for content and suitability.

Pippa: How does your work now compare 2 wot you did b4?

Ali Brookes: It's a lot more varied. And a lot less dangerous! I've got a really good team that I work with every day, and you never know what's going to happen next.

Pippa: Are you always on duty even when you’re ‘not’? Can you ever switch off?

Ali Brookes: In my current job I'm on call for most of the time. I do share the duty with my Flight Sgt. So I do get the opportunity to get away and relax. But you never really totally switch off because security can be unpredictable. I do tend to play sports in my spare time to help me unwind.

Dave: How did you find your IOT. Was it fun and how difficult was??

Ali Brookes: IOT was really hard work. But it's all worth it when you graduate. I made some great friends there and had some great experiences. I'm really proud to have gone through RAF college Cranwell.

Rachael: Is youre role more security or police work based and is it mainly office based?

Ali Brookes: Most of my work is based on security. I tend to be office based, and direct my staff to do most of the hands on work. I do get out and about to see what's happening though.

Luke: Hello Ali, What are the main differences between Airmen in the RAFP and an Officer in the RAFP?

Ali Brookes: Hi Luke, the main differences in the rank structure. Officers tend to be more like managers coordinating the work. Whilst the airmen RAFP are my specialists who do the actual tasks.

sam: What does the 4 months training at halton consist of after passing out of Cranwell?

Ali Brookes: The training is at Portsmouth now. You learn about criminal law, and how to conduct interviews and deal with arrested people / arrested servicemen. And there's quite a lot to learn about security and all the different ways in which we protect our people and property.

greg: hi Ali what did you do to prepare yourself when you applied for the airforce?

Ali Brookes: I just made sure I'd done my research about the RAF, the equipment we have, and where we're on operations in across the globe. You also need to have a good understanding of current affairs, but the best thing you can do is just be yourself.

Tobin: What is the diffrences between a regular police dog handler and a air force police handler ?

Ali Brookes: The regular police dog handlers have a dog that is slightly differently trained. In the RAF you start off with a basic patrol dog and can do further training to become qualified to handle advanced dogs and dogs that search for explosives, drugs, or search vehicles.

engineer _ aerosystems: Are you legally able to arrest personel?

Ali Brookes: Of course I can!!! I wouldn't be a police officer otherwise.

Irishboy: Did u have any RAF experience before OASC?

Ali Brookes: I was in Air Cadets for six years so that gave me an insight in to the RAF.

engineer _ aerosystems: Do you need to learn self defence ( judo, karate) to be police officer?

Ali Brookes: Part of your training is defensive tactics where you learn to use your police baton and cuffs as well as unarmed combat.

ellenca84: Which bases have you worked at abroad and UK and which was your favourite?

Ali Brookes: I worked in the Falklands for six months which was a really interesting job. I've worked at RAF Halton and RAF Henlow. But my favourite is where I am at the moment - RAF Coningsby is an amazing place to work.

cj: what job would you have chosen if you didnt go in the police?

Ali Brookes: I had considered being an Admin Seceretarial Officer. But fortunately i was offered my first choice and I've never looked back!

Rachael: Do you work shifts?

Ali Brookes: I generally work Monday to Friday office hours. But I'm on call most of the time. If we're on an exercise then we're on duty 24 hours a day.

Moderator: Thanks for all your questions. We’ve had a huge response and will do our best to answer as many as we can.

ukspike89: Hey Ali, How many RAF Police (Airmen) are under your command? And what tasks do they perform? Is the RAFP regarded as a 'Ground Trade'?

Ali Brookes: I've got 20 RAF police working for me at the moment. I have security specialist, computer security, criminal investigators, ten dog handlers, and two civillians. Yes the RAFP is regarded as a ground trade.

cj: did you go straight in as an officer or did you go up through the ranks to get to officer?

Ali Brookes: I joined as an Officer straight away.

engineer _ aerosystems: What type pf unarmed combat do you study?

Ali Brookes: It's the defensive tactics package that is taught by all police organisations in the UK.

cromy: i was in the RAF for 5yrs as a chef but i am out now but always wanted to be RAFP what would i have to do if i wanted to join and also are you recrutin now

Ali Brookes: You'd have to check with the careers office to make sure you were eligable. Also take a look around the rest of this site. But the RAF generally are always recruiting.

andrew jameson: Do you get regular out of hours call up requirements?

Ali Brookes: The whole point of out of hours calls is that they're not regular. I just have to react if I need to be called in for any reason.

Luke: Do RAFP Airmen get the choice to begin as a QPD, or is it a selection and only a few people can do it?

Ali Brookes: QPD (Qualified police dog), handlers are always in high demand. So if you wanted to join as a dog handler then just let the careers office know.

Harris: do u get alot of weapons training when in the RAF police?

Ali Brookes: You get the standard rifle training and you also learn how to use a pistol.

Dave: Yeh, did many people drop out of the training or did most of them stay on to finish it?

Ali Brookes: A few people needed extra training but nobody dropped out. It's great when you see everybody eventually graduate.

shane: once you are in one particulare job. how hard will it be if u decide u dont like it.and would like to do a different job?

Ali Brookes: It is possible to rebranch or change jobs. But my advice is make sure you're dead certain about what you want to do when you first join.

TOM tranche1: to gain a commission would you recommend applying instantly after A levels, or go to Uni, as i want to get in ASAP

Ali Brookes: I didn't go to university. I chose to work in industry for a couple of years and then join the civillian police.

engineer _ aerosystems: Have you ever been in a dangerous situation?

Ali Brookes: Not whilst I've been in the RAF. I'm going out to Kandahar in November. And think that this might be quite a scary experience.

Cdt Flt Sgt Collins (1039 Sqn AT...: When I was at camp at RAF Conningsby, I got quickly annoyed by the noise of the Typhoon, especially having to compete with the noise while taking drill. Does it annoy you, or are you now used to it?

Ali Brookes: It's a great noise! I don't really know what you mean. You do eventually get used to it. And just watching the aircraft fly you know why it makes so much noise!

Moderator: Thanks for all your questions. We’ve had a huge response and will do our best to answer as many as we can

Ben: I've had all my tests with my AFCO, and only got my final interview to go before my provisonal joining date on the 22nd August as an Aerospace Systems Operator. Have you got any advice for the interview?

Ali Brookes: Just be yourself. Don't try to give answers that you think they want to hear. Be honest and if you genuinely don't know, then say. Be confidant and look smart I'm sure you'll be fine.

Nathan: Hi, i have had interest about RAF Police For over a year now. I was Hoping to maybes join this year. Although a few things have come into my head, for example, Would my Girlfriend be able to live with me and find a job in a local area where i would be staying ?

Ali Brookes: She wouldn't be able to stay on the base, but after your training you would be able to buy or rent a house off base so you could live together.

victrum: Hi Ali, i have a question about being posted to various bases during service. How many different bases have you worked at? Does this unsettle you in anyway, in regards to your family?

Ali Brookes: I've worked at three UK bases and in the Falklands overseas. Generally I'll move every two to three years. You get used to it. And you have the RAF family to look after you as well as your own. So it's not too bad!

ukspike89: Hey Ali. You mentioned that the RAFP (Airmen) are your 'specialists' - who decides what task they do during their training? What tasks are there?

Ali Brookes: Everybody does the same basic training. And then later in your career you can choose what area you particularly like, and want to specialise in. Have a look up in the transcript for more on my tasks.

Luke: Is it advisable to apply for a Commision from Airmen in the RAFP? or would that be harder incase your still seen as 'one of the lads'?

Ali Brookes: If you've got the skills to be an officer, it doesn't matter whether you join from the ranks or from civvy street.

greg: hi, Ali have you been posted to a Country that been at war?

Ali Brookes: No. But I'm going to Afgahnistan later this year.

Rachael: What are the opportunities to specialise in certain areas like counter-terrorism, computer security etc?

Ali Brookes: You can specialise as a counter intelligence NCO (non commisioned officer) once you're promoted to Substantive Corporal. Once you've complted your counter intelligence training, you can then specialise as a computer security expert.

engineer _ aerosystems: Do you have a firing weapon on you at all times?

Ali Brookes: No there's no need in the UK.

Luke: Do RAFP Personal have any authority in civilian life to make arrests etc?

Ali Brookes: We have the same powers to arrest civillians as any other person in the UK does. (like a citizens arrest). Our powers are specifically for service personnel.

Beckie-mo: How much longer will you stay in your current job?

Ali Brookes: I'll be moving in October and I will have complted 22 months.

andrew jameson: Are you allowed to move sideways in your chosen career or even to another branch?

Ali Brookes: There are loads of jobs available to you as a police officer. And if you really wanted you could apply to change branches but I don't know why you would want to!

rob: Will you be required to work with police dogs throughout any of the training or within the job

Ali Brookes: You only tend to work with the dogs if you specialise as a dog handler.

ScottF: HEY! Is there much scope for overseas deployment in the RAFP? Either as an officer or not?

Ali Brookes: Oh yeah loads! The RAFP tend to be deployed everywhere where there are RAF personnel. So the list is extensive.

engineer _ aerosystems: what is your next rank?

Ali Brookes: My next rank will be Squadron Leader.

Beckie-mo: have you wanted to do this job since you were a kid or recently?

Ali Brookes: I'd always had aspirations to join the airforce. And when I decided to leave the civillian police, this seemed like the ideal option to combine both.

24-Seven: Hi, what are the expectations to be able to get into the RAF police. what does everyone expect of you. Such as grades at school etc?

Ali Brookes: You can check what grades you need on the website. And the careers office can advise you what scores you need on your aptitude test.

Moderator: Thanks for all your questions. We’ve had a huge response and will do our best to answer as many as we can

ellenca84: Do you still have to do marching when you work on the RAF base or is it just in initial training?

Ali Brookes: You do a lot of drill in your initial training. But once you're in the airforce you only have to do drill practice when there are big parades planned.

abi: hi, would you advise someone looking to go in the RAF to have gone to somewhere such as cadets and had that experience?

Ali Brookes: It's good to see how the RAF works and to visit RAF stations when you're in cadets. But it's not essential that you were in the cadets to join the RAF for a career.

Nathan: How old where you, when you left the civilian police ? and Will i be able to visit friends and family on occasions after i have completed my training?

Ali Brookes: I was 25 when I left civillian police. You'll be able to visit your family through your training as well as after.

victrum: As my partner isnt in the RAF my main concern is us buying a house where im posted and then two years down the line having to sell up and find somewhere new to live, and for him to work. Is there any opportunity to work you service at one base?

Ali Brookes: You might be able to work within different sections on the same unit or at different units in the same geographical area. The RAF is quite flexible and you can negotiate your postings.

jordan: hello im leaving school in july and am thinking about joining the air force im thinking about joining as a raf police man when im 17 do you have any tips

Ali Brookes: Do as well as you can at school. Try to work on your fitness and above all research the RAF and the police to make sure that it's the job for you.

engineer _ aerosystems: Do you have to be a civilian Police officer befor joining as a Military Police officer first?

Ali Brookes: No you don't. The training you get in the RAF prepares you for the role.

Rachael: How long did it take for you to go through the recruitment process?

Ali Brookes: It took about nine months from initial application to starting at Cranwell.

Andrew: Do you get paid for the first year or two when you join?

Ali Brookes: Yes you get paid from the date that you join.

matta: what has been your best experience?

Ali Brookes: There's no one thing that stands out because I've had so many good experiences.

ellenca84: Are women treated differently than men in the RAF in your experience or is it very equal opportunities?

Ali Brookes: No we're all treated equally.

andrew jameson: Does your job involve working alongside civilian security services?

Ali Brookes: Yes. But I can't really discuss it!

Nathan: After Training, im sure you take the role as acting corporal, how long do you have to wait till you can apply for promotion to corporal, what do you have to do ?

Ali Brookes: You don't apply for promotion. You have to be selected. You are eligible once you have three years seniority as an Acting Corporal.

Airhead: What is the relationship like between other trades and the RAFP?

Ali Brookes: It is quite good.We're not seen in a bad light like the civillian police might be. We tend to work with everybody on the station at some point. So everybody gets to know us as being helpful.

Siobhan: Hi Ali, you joined the RAF at 25. Most people seem to join straight from school or university. Did you find this to be a disadvantage?

Ali Brookes: No I didn't. because of the life experiences I had had. I wouldn't change what I've done in the past. And I think it's worked to my advantage.

Moderator: This chat session closes in 10 minutes.

ellenca84: Have you found it difficult to keep up your fitness since you finished initial training or is it quite easy to fit everything in?

Ali Brookes: It's really easy to continue with your fitness training. The facilities on station are great. And the opportunities to play sport and do adventure training are always out there.

ScottF: Im 18 and tried to join the civilian police but was rejected as i lack what they called "life experience" Am I likely to experience a similar problem with applying to join the RAFP (not as an officer)

Ali Brookes: Civillian police is totally different. And they're looking for different things in a person. The best thing you could do would be to speak to the careers office and they'll give you some good advice.

Beckie-mo: What would you like to do in the future, carry on as an officer or do some other RAF work?

Ali Brookes: I want to stay in the RAF as long as I can. I really love my job and can't see me ever getting tired of wearing the uniform.

Ben: Thats great thanks, would I need to know about current affairs and things like which squadrons use which planes? Also whats the RAF lifestyle like?

Ali Brookes: You need to know what kind of aircraft and weapons we have. The lifestyle is great. It's a really rewarding job. You get lots of opportunity to do further study and develop your career. And the sports and social life is second to none.

Beckie-mo: How long have you been an raf police officer for?

Ali Brookes: Just over six years.

Moderator: This chat session closes in 5 minutes

Jason: Is security the primary role for the RAFP or are you given other opportunities?

Ali Brookes: Security is our primary role. But criminal investigations also play a big part in our work.

victrum: I have joined as Personnel Administrator and am going to Halton on the 18th :). As a matter of interest while your at Halton, do you have a specific bed time and cerfiew?

Ali Brookes: I'm not sure what the rules are for recruit training. I imagine your bed time will be quite late to start with. Until you get the hang of ironing your uniform.

Airhead: How difficult did you find the 'academic' work in IOT?

Ali Brookes: It wasn't too difficult. They're really interesting subjects. But there's a lot of material to cover. It's not hard. there's just a lot of it.

Luke: So as an Officer, you can still do various tasks that Airmen do if you so wish to?

Ali Brookes: Yes. I am a criminal investigator, as well as a security specialist. I often work together with my team on projects so we get more ideas and different perspectives.

Cdt Smith, 384 mansfield: Have you ever garded the royals?

Ali Brookes: No. But there are opportunities for you to train in close protection.

ScottF: How often are you required to be armed?

Ali Brookes: Not routinely in the UK. But I do my weapons handling tests when needed.

Views expressed during the web chats are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect RAF policy.