A Successful Police Leaver Transition...
Hi!
I'm Paul Bellard
I help Disillusioned, Disappointed, Discontent and Demoralised serving Police Officers to become Decisive, Determined, and Re-Dedicated, and help turn their:
- Frustration into Focus,
- Exhaustion into Energy, and,
- Go from 'Beat to Breakthrough'!
In Service to Police Officers Thinking of Becoming Police Leavers
From Beat and Broken to Breakthrough:
My Personal Story of Transition and Transformation
From Beat and Broken to Breakthrough:
My Personal Story of Transition and Transformation
I never wanted this to be about me. My focus has always been on you—your transition, your potential, and your future. That said, I’ve come to realise that sharing my story can inspire and reassure police leavers that there truly is life—and incredible potential—beyond the badge.
This isn’t a tale of effortless success. It’s a journey marked by failures, setbacks, and moments of despair. Yet, it’s also a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of the human mind.
The Making of a Police Officer
I left school at 15 with no qualifications, shy and introverted. After years of factory work and a trial as a Special Constable, I scraped through the police entrance exams at 27 and joined Merseyside Police.
I loved the job. As a determined thief-catcher, I quickly found my calling. By year three, I passed the sergeant’s exam on my second attempt, confident my policing career was on track.
But everything changed one spring afternoon. I was just weeks into my CID aide posting when an on-duty 'incident' left me injured. The damage to my spine, initially dismissed as minor, overtime became unbearable and eventually I was unable to stand up straight or walk properly.
From humble beginnings, I left school at 15, shy, introverted, and with no qualifications. After some factory work and a trial year as a Special Constable in Cheshire police, at age 27, I managed to scrape my way through the Police entrance examinations and was recruited into Merseyside police. Serving out my probation at Prescot Police station, I turned out to be a pretty determined and good thief catcher! It didn't take long to fall in love with my calling.
From humble beginnings, I left school at 15, shy, introverted, and with no qualifications. After some factory work and a trial year as a Special Constable in Cheshire police, at age 27, I managed to scrape my way through the Police entrance examinations and was recruited into Merseyside police. Serving out my probation at Prescot Police station, I turned out to be a pretty determined and good thief catcher! It didn't take long to fall in love with my calling.
The Darkness That Followed
My injuries forced me off duty for a year. Around the same time, my marriage broke down, my family turned away in judgement, and I found myself living alone in a converted police cell block—a place ironically called “Single Men’s Accommodation.”
Desperation became my closest companion. Struggling with chronic pain and depression, I was eventually summoned back to light duties in the Force Control Room.
The former Prescot Police Station
Over the next four years, my life became a cycle of steps forward and setbacks.
I was physically broken, emotionally drained, and constantly under suspicion from senior officers who thought I was faking my condition. By December 31st, 1999, I reached breaking point.
That night, hopeless and numb, I walked into the icy waters of the River Dee in Wirral, Merseyside. I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t care if I lived. More than anything, I just wanted the pain—physical and emotional—to stop.
IMPORTANT:
If you are at or close to this breaking point, I implore you to speak to someone, anyone and if you feel comfortable to, me! Just send me a message with "Breaking Point" in the message field; You don't even have to write anything else, and I'll send you a link the same or the latest, next day with which we can connect online.
IMPORTANT:
If you are at or close to this breaking point, I implore you to speak to someone, anyone and if you feel comfortable to, me!
Just send me a message with "Breaking Point" in the message field; You don't even have to write anything else! I'll send you a link the same or the latest, next day with which we can connect online and talk.
A Turning Point
Something happened in that murky water that night. I don’t know if it was clarity, defiance, or sheer instinct, but I turned back. I had became aware of something in my mind that despite the circumstances was calm, clear and knowing. A fleeting one-off glimpse of another self. A glimpse that was the spark of curiosity that later led to everything I do, teach and coach today.
Several months later, referred to an expert spinal surgeon by the Force O.H.U., he delivered the devastating news: I had advanced degenerative disc disease in four of the five lumbar discs. Surgery was impossible without risking paralysis, and I would “never walk properly again.” His prognosis left me reeling.
In July 2001, I was medically retired from the police—the career I had loved, I felt discarded like a problematic piece of trash. No one checked in. No colleagues visited. The sense of isolation was crushing.
At rock bottom, I finally realised no one was coming to rescue me. If I was going to rebuild my life, I had to do it myself.
"If it's to be, it's up to me"
"If it's to be, it's up to me"
From Ground Zero to Transformation
I knew that for my life to change I had to change and my health and physical condition had to be the starting point. I set an impossible goal: to achieve a flat stomach and visible abs in 12 weeks. My last remaining friend laughed at me, fearing another failure would break me. His doubt only fuelled my determination.
It was painful, exhausting, and full of setbacks, but I persevered. By week 14, I had achieved my goal. More importantly, something profound happened inside me: my confidence, self-belief, and sense of purpose began to return.
With momentum on my side, I tackled the next challenge—employment. With no qualifications, a poor medical record, and no obvious transferable skills, I assumed I was unemployable. But as I reflected on my past, one thread connected everything I’d ever done: Service to Others!
I decided there and then to follow that thread. With no money for courses or books, I spent every day for six months in Liverpool’s public library, devouring everything I could find on quality, process and business management. For the first time in my life, I realised I could learn, understand and apply what I have learned and create something truly meaningful.
Within a year, I was travelling nationally as a self-employed corporate trainer teaching quality management and within 18 months, travelling internationally training information security management systems. I earned in one week what I earned in a month in Policing. Soon after, I transitioned into business management consulting, earning in a day what I had been earning in a week as a trainer.
"The Best thing about being at rock bottom is that there is no stronger, more firm foundation upon which to stand back up and build from"!
"The Best thing about being at rock bottom is that there is no stronger, more firm foundation upon which to stand up and build upon"!
Beyond the Badge - Our Purpose, Our Mission!
'Beyond the Badge' helps Disillusioned, Disappointed, Discontent and Demoralised, Police Officers to become Decisive, Determined, and Re-dedicated.
Turn Frustration into Focus and Exhaustion into Energy,
and go from "Beat to Breakthrough'.
To Become Super-Resilience with Renewed Focus and Boundless Energy, so that you can make an intelligent, well informed, well founded decision:
Continued service? or New Beginnings?
Beyond the Badge - Our Purpose, Our Mission!
'Beyond the Badge' helps Disillusioned, Disappointed, Discontent and Demoralised, Police Officers to become Decisive, Determined, and Re-dedicated.
Turn Frustration into Focus and Exhaustion into Energy,
and go from "Beat to Breakthrough'.
To Become Super-Resilient with Renewed Focus and Boundless Energy, so that you can make an intelligent, well informed, well founded decision:
Continued service? or
New Beginnings?
"At Beyond the Badge, we take a different approach.
We don’t just help you find a job; we help you find yourself."
- Paul Bellard
New to BtB? Start Here -
New to BtB?
Start Here
Here is where you can learn what BtB is about, how we can serve you and how you can get in touch!
"When Change becomes a must instead of a choice, people can achieve anything they want"! – Paul Bellard
Never Mind the Whole Staircase—Just Take the First Step
Take the First Step
Your story isn’t over because you are leaving the police!—it’s just beginning. If I can rebuild my life from nothing, so can you.
I want to stress; I had no concept that I was even capable of doing what I do now, let alone that I could get to do them. I was 39 years old then and had no formal qualifications or experience in anything except factory work and policing.
I had no concept of transferable skills and didn't believe I had any. None of these achievements have anything to do with me being talented, intelligent or clever. But I have an unshakable belief that everyone can set goals and achieve them with the right mindset and by taking just one step at a time.
Let’s take the first step together.
Today, my mission is clear:
- To stop even one more police officer from reaching breaking point to the extent they want to end their life!
- To inspire police leavers to take the leap of faith and pursue their dreams.
- To help you transition not just to a new job, but to a fulfilled and empowered life.
You’ve spent your career serving others. Now it’s time to serve yourself.
With the right mindset, support, and determination, you can go from beat to breakthrough.
Today, my mission is clear:
To stop even one more police officer from reaching breaking point to the extent they want to end their life!
To inspire police leavers to take the leap of faith and pursue their dreams.
To help you transition not just to a new job, but to a fulfilled and empowered life.
You’ve spent your career serving others. Now it’s time to serve yourself.
With the right mindset, support, and determination, you can go from beat to breakthrough too!
"We can't control the changes that come our way, but we can choose and master our response to them"—Paul B.
“
"Paul helped me with a mindset shift that is still serving me several years later!"
I was highly impressed by the depth and sincerity of Paul's approach and so I didn't hesitate to reach out to him when I needed some support to further develop my business.
I have used numerous coaches in the past but Paul is very different. Every step of the way, Paul has been in my corner and has given me the tools I needed.
I have no hesitation in recommending Paul, be it for business or personal reasons.
Andrew Finlayson
“
Being coached by Paul did a tremendous amount for me. I can't overstate it. I was at a crisis point in my life, I was under extreme pressure. I had just about had enough mentally, emotionally and physically, I was in a real mess and could see no way out.
Through Paul, I soon found myself living life with a new direction and a sharper focus.
The effects of my time with Paul are still very evident in my life years on. Paul helped me to realise that solutions are within me, that there is a choice on how to respond when things go wrong and that all resources needed to achieve anything is within all me, it always was, I just hadn't known it until now.
Ian Thurgood
“
Paul is an inspiration and I wouldn’t be who I am today if he hadn’t come into my life’
If you want to take a first step to changing your life then sign up with Paul - I did, and I have never looked back.
Working with Paul totally changed my life. I took positive action - and the results were amazing. Paul is an inspiration and I wouldn’t be who I am today if he hadn’t come into my life’
Debbie Cohen
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