In a new feature highlighting the wide-ranging pursuits actuaries do outside their day job, we meet Reema Uppal, who trained with the Met
How did you choose your career?
I discovered my love of maths as a teenager and studied it for my degree at Royal Holloway, University of London. Anyone would think that this was enough to know I wanted to become an actuary… But this was when my policing career started. I joined the Metropolitan Police while a student; I’d go to maths lectures during the week and study criminal law at the weekends. Once I’d completed the training, I attested in 2014.
It was during my Master’s degree that I discovered actuarial science. I joined Swiss Re, focusing on life and longevity valuation (and continuing my weekend work at the Met). I have since moved to EY, where I am involved in a wide variety of projects.
I left the Met last year, because I moved away from London, but I plan to join another constabulary close to my new home soon.
Why did you join the police?
My father was a career policeman and had worked for the police in India. When he saw that I had little idea of what I wanted to do, he put me in touch with his friend Raj Kohli, chief superintendent at the Met at the time, who quickly became a role model for me. He gave me the confidence to be a police officer. The conversation we had in June 2012 is the reason I applied – a decision I’ll never regret.
What kind of police work have you mostly done, and what have been some of the highlights?
I began in neighbourhood policing before transferring to the Vehicle Recovery and Examination Service, which focuses on identifying vehicles used in violent crimes, and uninsured drivers.
My favourite part of the job is interacting with people. I have met some of my best friends through the force, and some fantastic members of the public, too. The fulfilment you gain from knowing you have made someone’s day somewhat easier is unbeatable.
My proudest moment was completing my advanced driving course – the qualification that allows me to drive an emergency vehicle. The level of concentration involved in driving at excessive speeds on British roads, with added environmental distractions, is higher than you would think! The fatigue you feel afterwards cannot be underestimated.
What life lessons have you taken from policing?
As a police officer, you deal with people from all walks of life, so communication is the most important skill. The more you communicate, the more you understand how to adapt the way you speak to people or tackle a situation, depending on who is involved. I have been complimented for my confident approach to speaking with people in the actuarial workplace, and believe I have developed this from my time in the police.
Policing has also taught me not to live my life on ‘what ifs’. Why stress yourself out over something that doesn’t yet exist or hasn’t yet happened? There is nothing more important than your mental health.
On the other hand, my emotional response to certain things can be muted. Some of this is because I have witnessed things that most people have not.
Do you have other interests?
I have a beautiful German Shepherd dog called Blaze who keeps me extremely busy with exercising and training. I recently developed a love of water and completed some sailing courses with the Royal Yacht Association. As I enjoy being outdoors, I am currently looking into visiting ‘Iceberg Alley’ in Canada.
How do you find the time for everything?
I would like to tell you that I have a fancy planner or a virtual assistant, but I don’t! If you really want to do something, you’ll just do it, without making excuses.
Reema Uppal is a senior consultant at EY
