Job Profiles - Border protection

Andy Dawe

I work at the port of Dover as a Detection Officer, intercepting cars, coaches and foot passengers. Team working is probably the best thing about being on an anti-smuggling team. I also really like dealing with people from all over the world.

A typical day involves selecting traffic, examining vehicles or passengers’ baggage, and interviewing passengers to see if they have too many excise goods, prohibited or restricted goods. Having worked in Detection for a while, nothing surprises me any more. Because of the nature of the work you have to meet challenges head on and deal with them as they arise. No two shifts are ever the same.