Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
It's straight onto the beat for Leeds Beckett graduate
Matthew Lockwood, 21, from West Yorkshire, spent the final year of his BA (Hons) Sport Development degree combining studying with working as a special constable for the same police force and playing football for his local team.
He has now graduated from Leeds Beckett University and joined West Yorkshire Police, where he will undertake 13 weeks of training, before being posted to a specific station where he will go out on the beat with a tutor for 10 weeks before becoming a full-time police officer. Throughout his final year, Mathew had to combine his studies with his duties as a special constable, completing a minimum of 16 hours per month with the police force.
Speaking about his time at university, Matthew said: “I’ve wanted to be a police officer for as long as I can remember, so although it was hard juggling studying for my final year with working as a special constable, it has been worth it. I had to prioritise university when I had exams and coursework due in, and make up my required special constable hours over the quieter periods in my university calendar. I did all this whilst playing football once a week too, so I definitely learnt the fine art of balancing lots of things at once.
“Studying something I’m passionate about has been a great experience and my time at Leeds Beckett University has given me loads of valuable experience that will be beneficial to my new role. It has enabled me to experience being part of close knit teams, increased my confidence and reinforced my belief that I am good at working with people, all of which are hugely important qualities needed for working in the police force.”
Matthew, who has been playing football since he was six, also found time to play football weekly throughout his time at university and his team did the double last year, being promoted and winning the cup.
Speaking about Matthew, Stephen Robson, Course Director, Sport Development and Social Science, said: “Matthew has achieved so much in the three years he’s been at Leeds Beckett and is a shining example of how much you can achieve if you’re committed and work hard.
“Completing a minimum of 16 hours per month working as a special constable whilst studying for your final year is a huge challenge, but Matthew managed it with aplomb, all whilst fitting in playing football regularly too.
“Mathew has been a brilliant student to teach. He’s passionate, hardworking and extremely focused, and he’ll be a great asset to West Yorkshire Police. We wish him all the luck in his new job and we’re in no doubt that he’ll achieve great things.”