'Why I went from being an armed police officer to a chauffeur'

When it comes to changing careers, to many people, Kevin O'Mara's former role, as an armed response police officer, would not have that many similarities to driving other people as a chauffeur.

"Now I'm armed with a pen and a smile, as opposed to a firearm," he said.

For 32 years he worked for Staffordshire Police, more than two decades as an armed police officer, but then moved on to running an executive chauffeuring business.

Does he miss the former job? "No - I scratched that itch to the point of bleeding."

But the 61-year-old does miss the contact with former colleagues, part of the reason for how he runs the company, with a team of drivers who have similar backgrounds in the emergency services.

"To attract people of a similar mindset, professional background, same ethical standards, that trust, driver safety," he said.

Recalling his 23 years as part of the firearms team, he said every day was different.

"It's the varied nature of the work, the adrenaline rushes and thinking on your feet," he admitted.

"You don't know what's waiting for you around the corner."

O'Mara said he was fortunate he never had to make the "ultimate decision" to use his gun during more than two decades of armed police operations, which he put down to training, circumstances - and luck.

When he retired from the force in 2013, he said it would not have been in his nature to sit around all day, watching daytime TV - and added that his former job and his current one went hand-in-hand.

"It's that thinking on your feet, it's that planning, it's that routine, turning up on time, professionalism...awareness of problems," the 61-year-old said.

His company has a wide range of clients, from individuals and businesses to people in music and entertainment, and he said discretion was key.

"What's said in the car, stays in the car," he added.

O'Mara said he was always looking out for retiring police officers interested in driving roles and wanted to find a female chauffeur to join his team.

As for the unsociable hours that chauffeuring involves, the 61-year-old said he can cope: "I've abused my body over many years of shift work!"

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