A former soldier who served in Afghanistan has opened up on life after the Army and his new role as an officer with Hertfordshire police.

Josh Musgrove has joined the force after spending five years in the Army, serving all over the world with the 2nd Battalion, Rifles Regiment, including an operational tour of Afghanistan.

The 25-year-old was looking to start a new life but still serve the nation, and policing proved to be exactly what he needed.

“I had always thought about being a police officer,” he admitted.

“Family members were in the police and when I was in college a few friends went on to become police officers.

“I had recently moved in with my girlfriend and just proposed to her and had to start planning my life with her as a big part of it.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Josh during his Army days. Credit: Herts policeJosh during his Army days. Credit: Herts police (Image: Herts police)

“This meant finding a job that I enjoyed, to keep that sense of providing a public service and with a better work/life balance than my role in the Army – the police was an obvious choice.”

Josh applied to join forces all over the UK, but Hertfordshire stood out above the rest, with mentor Chief Inspector Ricky Bartlett, also ex-armed forces, in regular contact, while PC Shazia Malik, from the Positive Action team, supported him through his transition back into civilian life.

“They called me almost straight away and I was given lots of genuine support from day one,” he said.

“The Positive Action team had a real interest in my application and my progress. They put me in touch with Chief Inspector Bartlett through the ‘Military Buddy Scheme’.

“This friendly and helpful attitude made my decision to join Herts over anyone else, very easy.

“I wanted to work for Herts police over all the other forces because from day one of applying, all the people I spoke to were so friendly, helpful and hardworking – the kind of people anyone would love to work with.”

Josh officially passed out after his initial training on and was welcomed to the force by Chief Constable Charlie Hall at a ceremony earlier this month.

PC Malik added: “Josh’s passing out parade was a real high point for me.

“I enjoyed sharing in his achievement. I wish him the very best in his career and will be on the other end of the phone or email should he need any support.”