Career News
You should be a Cop experience
The “You should be a cop” work experience was an opportunity given to us by the youth command police officers of the Bankstown area, it was an amazing chance to learn valuable skills and information about the NSW police as a whole and make connections with kids our age from surrounding schools.
The experience extended over 4 days with each having its own fun itinerary. Day 1, We met at the Concord Recreation Centre where we played a lively game of soccer, kids versus cops, which boosted energy and was a great ice breaker. From the rec centre we travelled to the Burwood Police Station where we were taken down to the garage to have a talk to the highway patrol officers and look inside their car, they showed us the drug testing equipment and explained all the laws and regulations that have to do with their specific role. We then took a tour around the whole station and got a talk from some important people from each unit. This ended in lunch with anyone who wanted to join. Our group had a chat with two lovely female police officers who told us about their experiences with joining the cops. After lunch we split in half and were sent to either the mounted or water unit, we ended up with the mounted unit, getting an inside look on how they train and how to get in, while also being able to pat the horses.
On day 2 we started our morning with some basic drills and then immediately got into our physical assessments, measuring if we would be able to get into the academy. We did the beep test, agility test, grip strength, vertical jump, 90 second plank and 25 push ups. Having some lunch while chatting to our youth officers after, following this we had a chat with Senior Constable Amanda about the items (or “appointments”) she carries on her, waiting out the rain before heading to the pool to complete our swim test, which all of us passed. Day 3 was much quieter, starting with a heated game of dodgeball as we waited for the other kids who were also completing the same program around New South Wales. Once they arrived, there were stalls from many different units that came to show us what they do which led to an amazing chat with a police rescue officer, a bike cop, a SWAT officer, and a pet of the puppy, a part of the dog unit. Finally on our last day we all met at the Auburn PCYC one last time, at 6am to begin our drive down to Goulburn Police Academy. Once we arrived we headed inside with all the kids from the previous day to watch the graduation of the class of 366 and the send off of the commissioner, Karen Webb. It was extremely interesting to watch the parade and all the speeches, the tossing of their hats warming all our hearts as a helicopter flew over to wish a farewell to the commissioner. We were then taken on a tour of the campus, visiting the mock town, the mission practice centre and have a seat in the helicopter. We ended our day with lunch in the mess hall, our group talking to yet another inspiring officer, followed by our certificates and a long drive home.
We are all extremely grateful for this experience as we learnt so much we wouldn’t have without it.
By Polly Riethmuller
