In our policing feature, we hear from some of the officers on your local teams.

This week we hear from PC Emilie Gurney, who is with the Met's South East Command Unit:

Tell us about your role

I work in the Sapphire team, and we investigate rape and serious sexual assaults.

I’m the specially trained officer who is the point of contact for victims of serious sexual abuse throughout an investigation.

I’m there to support them, gather evidence from them, and be a listening ear during the entire case.

I get to know victims really well, and build a rapport. I see them change over time and grow as people – I really enjoy this side of my work.

Meet your local Met Police team: PC Tara Duffy

What do you enjoy about what you do?

The people I work with have gone through something very traumatic and life-changing.

When you get a guilty verdict you feel elated for the victim, and you know that you’ve managed to get justice for someone.

News Shopper:

It’s great when you know that this verdict is something that is going to make such a positive change to their life. It really is the best feeling.

What do you think the public think of the police?

I think people watch programmes and see investigations being solved really quickly and then have high expectations about what we can do.

The reality is these cases are so complex, and with many parts to it. Television doesn’t show police working with social services or schools, or waiting on forensic lab results, for example.

These things can take time and I appreciate that it can be difficult for victims.

I try to reassure them by having regular contact with them and letting them know that we’re still here, we’re committed to their case and we feel strongly about this.

Meet your local Met Police team: DI Farhat Sadik

Tell us about a memorable moment

None of us do this job for thanks – we’re here because we want to help people.

However, it is lovely just hearing someone say ‘thank you’. I remember one victim, and a few witnesses, all wanted to show their gratitude.

There are strict rules about what we can and can’t have and I explained that to them, but they were so set on giving us something.

News Shopper:

In the end they went and bought the whole team some lovely food and snacks which, obviously, we declared.

Just knowing that someone felt so strongly about what we’d done, and that they wanted to say thank you, meant so much to me and my colleagues.

What have you learnt from your job?

I think I’m more understanding of why people feel and behave the way they do.

You learn why people are defensive, or upset, and what’s behind that.

I’ve also learnt that you have to give people the time of day so that they can get out the anger or frustration they’re feeling and know that they’re being heard.