In this second Policing TV interview, Alex Franklin-Smith, former Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, explains why he made the unusual decision to leave policing in his mid-forties and move into the technology sector with Salesforce. Alex reflects on a career decision that surprised many across policing and discusses how longer working lives, greater career mobility and new opportunities outside traditional policing structures are changing the way people may think about a lifetime career in the service. 

Alex also talks about his new role leading strategy and business development for Salesforce’s UK policing and justice work. He explains how technology, AI and automation can support control rooms, investigations, safeguarding and frontline staff, while stressing that solutions must be aligned with the real challenges officers and staff face. The conversation also touches on why policing may increasingly need to welcome people back after they gain experience elsewhere.

Key takeaways

• Alex says he never originally expected to leave policing after more than two decades in the service.
• His move reflects a wider shift towards longer working lives and greater career mobility.
• The opportunity to build commercial, private-sector and technology experience was a major attraction.
• Alex wanted to challenge himself by moving outside his comfort zone and learning new skills.
• He knew leaving as a mid-career Chief Constable would come as a shock across policing.
• Alex believes policing may need to become more open to people leaving, gaining experience elsewhere and later returning.
• His Salesforce role focuses on aligning technology with the practical challenges faced by police forces.
• Technology is already being used to reduce control-room demand, improve victim service and support police performance.

Chapters
00:30 – Why leave policing in your mid-forties?
02:09 – A career move he never expected
03:00 – Why Salesforce became attractive
04:35 – Choosing a new challenge
07:00 – Why his resignation shocked policing
07:30 – Should policing welcome people back?
08:56 – What Alex is doing at Salesforce
10:20 – What does “agentic” technology mean?
11:16 – How technology can improve control rooms
12:00 – Beyond the control room

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