Engagement is key to community safety and recruitment

MEMBERS from Victoria Police’s Geelong Community Engagement Unit play an important role in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and community.

As Proactive Policing Operatives, they are often called upon to help tackle social problems, promote community safety, and assist vulnerable and at-risk groups.

“We regularly engage with members of the community at events, providing education on crime prevention, while also discussing local issues and emerging crime trends,” Senior Constable Dee Kuchenmeister from the Geelong Community Engagement Unit said.

“Through this work we often meet members of the community who are considering a career change to join Victoria Police.

“It’s always rewarding when someone is inspired to join Victoria Police after hearing about my own career journey.”

This year, members from the Community Engagement Unit will be setting up an interactive display with a recruitment theme at Cultura’s Pako Festa tomorrow (Saturday, February 22).

Pako Festa is the biggest free multi-cultural celebration in the southern hemisphere and attracts more than 100,000 people to the Geelong West area.

The event will be a great opportunity for community members to talk with local officers and ask about a career with Victoria Police and the recruitment process.

“As Victoria continues to diversify it is important that our Police force does too. Victoria Police strive to reflect the community that we serve and recruiting officers from diverse cultural backgrounds strengthens our connection with the community,” Senior Constable Dee Kuchenmeister said.