Will Parsons-Douglas

Will
Parsons-Douglas

Williphant

Returning to Swift and iOS development — with a previous app published on the App Store — former police officer with 12 years of service and 2 years prior as a civilian police investigator. Based on the Moray Coast, Scotland — bringing a BSc in Psychology, a BTEC in Software Development, and over a decade of investigative experience to bring to software development.

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From the beat
to the build.

I spent 12 years as a Police Constable with Hertfordshire Constabulary — frontline officer, designated LGBT Liaison Officer, Victim Service Team, and qualified Police Response Driver. I started my career as a civilian Investigating Officer and Special Constable, conducting interviews and working cases before joining as a full officer in 2013.

Before that: a BSc (Hons) Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire, and a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Software Development. Building a strong foundation in IT from an early age, I continued to develop and apply those skills throughout my policing career — working daily with complex digital systems, national databases, and investigative technology.

Now I'm building independent iOS applications — bringing the same analytical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving that defined 14 years in policing to every project I work on.

14
Years in policing
BTEC
Software Development
12
Police digital & tech courses
2:1
BSc (Hons) Psychology

Skills & Tools

🍎

iOS / Swift

  • Swift (100 Days of SwiftUI — in progress)
  • SwiftUI
  • Xcode / Apple Silicon
  • App Store distribution
  • iPhone & iPad development
🖥

Linux & DevOps

  • Linux experience, Arch / Debian
  • Docker Compose
  • Nginx & reverse proxy
  • Tailscale VPN
  • Self-hosted infrastructure
🧠

Psychology & People

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology
  • Mental Health First Aider
  • Forensic & Social Psychology
  • Trauma-informed practice
  • Investigative interviewing
🔐

Digital & Security

  • NCSC cyber awareness
  • Data & information management
  • Govt. Security Classifications
  • Digital risk assessment
  • PNC / LEDS systems
🛠

Tools & Platforms

  • Git & GitHub
  • Terminal & command line (Unix)
  • 3D printing (FDM)
  • Home networking
  • Smart home / IoT

Current Projects

📱  In Planning

iOS App — Coming Soon

Currently deep in Swift and SwiftUI study via the 100 Days of Swift programme. First iOS application in planning — focused on a real problem, built for real people. More details as development progresses.

SwiftSwiftUIXcodeApp Store
View on GitHub
🖥  Ongoing

Home Server Infrastructure

Self-hosted Ubuntu Server running 17 Docker Compose services — media, monitoring, VPN, and automation. Fully accessible over Tailscale from anywhere. Built from scratch and continuously maintained.

Ubuntu ServerDocker ComposeJellyfinNginx Proxy ManagerTailscalePortainerUptime Kuma

Where I've Been

2026 – Present
Independent iOS Developer
Self-employed · Portgordon, Moray · Remote

Full-time study in Swift and SwiftUI. Building original applications with the goal of publishing to the App Store.

c. 2016 – December 2025
Police Constable — Victim Service Team
Hertfordshire Constabulary · Warrant No. 2524

Specialist victim support across complex cases including domestic abuse, stalking, and safeguarding. Designated LGBT Liaison Officer. Qualified Mental Health First Aider (MHFA England, 2022). Coordinated with social services, mental health teams, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

May 2013 – c. 2016
Police Constable — Frontline Response
Hertfordshire Constabulary · Based at Stevenage

Covering North Hertfordshire. Responded to emergency and non-emergency incidents, conducted arrests, searches, and scene management, and investigated a wide range of offences including digital crimes and online stalking. Designated Initial Contact Officer (ICO) — specially trained in the initial handling of serious sexual offence reports. Awarded the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Policing in March 2015 — covering investigative analysis, structured evidence gathering, systematic problem-solving, and decision-making under pressure. Skills that translate directly into methodical, detail-driven software development.

2012 – 2013
Civilian Investigating Officer — Case Investigation Team
Hertfordshire Constabulary · Stevenage

Designated as a Civilian Investigating Officer. Conducted investigative interviews and liaised with defence solicitors.

c. 2011 – 2013
HR Assistant (Civilian) & Special Constable
Hertfordshire Constabulary · Concurrent roles

Civilian HR role focused on police recruitment and personnel administration, held concurrently with service as Special Constable. Awarded a Certificate of Exemplary Service on completion in December 2012.

Foundations

University of Hertfordshire · July 2011
BSc (Hons) Psychology
Second Class Honours (First Division)
Hatfield Campus
2:1 — Forensic Psychology · Social Psychology · Research Methods

Also served as a Student Ambassador, recognised by the Head of UK Recruitment and Access (2008–2009).

Ongoing Professional Development
  • City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Policing
  • LAGLO Qualified
  • Police Response Driver
  • Mental Health First Aider (MHFA England)

  • 100+ certified training courses across digital systems, safeguarding, investigative practice, and operational policing

Let's talk.

Open to conversations about iOS development, interesting project collaborations, or freelance iOS work.

BASED IN PORTGORDON, SCOTLAND  ·  AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE