Youngsters given the chance to experience the day-to-day work of a police officer

By Ben Fitzgerald - 26 July 2017

Community

Youngsters have been given the chance to take part in a new work experience scheme working alongside Wiltshire Police

Over the past month, The World of Work (WoW), work experience scheme has opened its doors to Key Stage 4 students in Swindon, Salisbury and Melksham - who were given a range of activities designed to give a taste of what it's like to work for the police service.

Students learnt that there is more to keeping Wiltshire and Swindon's communities safe than wearing a uniform and patrolling the streets.

WoW covers a broad spectrum of roles within Wiltshire Police and participants in the scheme gained a better understanding of the different career opportunities that the police service offers. From constables and detectives to mechanics, managers and more; there are roles to suit a variety of skill sets.

Young people were presented with various scenarios on video and asked to investigate the crime through to interview, court and sentencing.  They used their own pocket note book to record their findings.

Sgt Steve McGlynn, The Lead for Youth Engagement said:  “Due to the nature of modern day policing it is not possible to have students work alongside front line officers or officers in support roles dealing with members of the public or sensitive issues.

“WoW has been developed to give a wide perspective of Wiltshire Police and the variety of roles within the Force.”

Chief Constable Mike Veale said:  “If you had told me when I was younger that one day I’d be Chief Constable, I wouldn’t have believed you.  It was when I met a police officer who visited my school that I was inspired by his kindness, enthusiasm and professionalism. I went on to become a police cadet, aged 16, and later joined the service in 1984. That’s what World of Work is about, inspiring young people and showing them that working for the police service is a great career choice.

"There’s far more to policing than being an officer, there are opportunities to suit a range of skills and abilities. I encourage those students looking for work experience to consider visiting Wiltshire Police for the chance to get a taste of all aspects of police work. The work in the police is exciting, challenging, rewarding, interesting and incredibly fulfilling, even if you later choose another career path the life skills and experience you will get will stand you in good stead for your future.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson said:  “I am delighted that Wiltshire Police has opened its doors to Wiltshire and Swindon’s young people. I want young people to see that the police service needs to be made up of a wide range of people, each bringing ideas and perspectives that will shape the way it represents and serves communities.

"Whether a person pursues education through university or they feel more suited to learning through doing a job, there are plenty of career opportunities within the police.

“Each police employee makes a valuable contribution to the community, whether on the streets in a uniform, in a workshop in overalls or at a desk in an office. It’s an incredibly worthwhile career choice and I’d urge young people to take this opportunity to learn more about it.”

If you're currently in Key Stage 4 and want to learn more about careers in the police service, you could be exactly who we're looking for to join the World of Work.  Opportunities to take part in next year’s World of Work are advertised on the Wiltshire Police website. Applications are open from September.

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