Geelong students get an inside look into policing

YEAR 11 and Year 12 students from across Geelong have participated in an experience of a lifetime, hand-selected for work experience with Victoria Police.

Students were required to attend an information session, complete a written application, undergo an interview process and go through police checks before being chosen.

This has been a partnership with Geelong Regional Local Learning Employment network who are responsible for work placements across all industries in the Geelong region.

During the week, the 21 students were exposed to the wide variety of roles that Victoria Police offer from General Duties, Highway patrol, Operational and Safety Tactics Training, Criminal Identification Unit, Homicide Squad and more.

Throughout the week, students followed a case study of a burglary at a local “cafe”.

After already learning about the role of a general duties police officer on day one, on day two they were allocated a job and had to “lock down the scene”.

Students from Year 11 and Year 12 were hand-selected to participate in the program, spending a week participating in the variety of roles undertaken by Victoria Police.

They then had to log onto the radio as a crime scene officer and process the “scene”.

Next, the students put their minds towards the investigation side, they took a witness statement, canvassing for CCTV and establishing motive and ID.

On day three, students travelled to the Victoria Police Academy where they had a tour of the facilities, a Q&A session with recruits and a walk through the scenario village.

It was a long day that brought back many memories and funny stories from the police members who attended on the day.

On day four they picked back up on the rolling case study scenario, where students learnt about the points of proof for a burglary and had a quick introduction into the interview process.

As the final step of the case study, they were given the opportunity to have a tour of the court with a police prosecutor and were lucky enough to have a chat with a magistrate.

All students were required to submit a written application, undergo interviews and police checks before participating.

With this hands-on case study police were able to demonstrate to the students that even though there is a wide variety of roles within the organisation, they all have a role to play.

The program has been a great collaboration and massive team effort from Victoria Police members from Geelong Police Station and the Community Engagement Unit, all working together to make the week a huge success.

This program was started by the forward thinking of Senior Sergeant Aaron Riches, who wanted to bring back the work experience program a few years ago.

Through collaboration and reflection, the program has evolved into an experience that students will remember forever.

One student already said as she walked out the door: “This has been the best week of my life.”

The week finished off with a Graduation Ceremony with certificates presented by Western Region Division One Superintendent Mick Reid.

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