Police Careers: Girls in Blue and helpful resources

The Girls in Blue program was held last Tuesday 24th October for secondary schools across Baw Baw and Latrobe from years 9-12 (school to select). It was a one day taster program for girls interested in joining the Police Force. It was a great opportunity for Tillie, Emilia and Storm to hear about career pathways within Victoria Police such as Forensics, Prosecutions, Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigation Unit, General Duties and more.

Here are the thoughts on the day from Year 9 MSCW student Emilia Corporente:

The three of us first went to Moe Police Station where we had a tour of the place including the watchhouse and holding cells and showed us the range of equipment they carry on them each day (12kgs in total!) The two officers then spoke to us about what it is like working in the Police force.

We then travelled to the Baw Baw LLLEN centre in Trafalgar where we heard from a number of officers talk about their different roles (detectives, search and rescue etc)  and overall career path so far. There was also a human library where we chose two books (speakers) who spoke to us in more detail about their career so far.

It was a fun day and we learnt a lot of interesting information and had a number of my questions answered. The highlight was discovering what goes behind the scene at the police station itself.

Thanks to Mrs Martin for organising the day!

And from MSCW Careers Staff Member Mr Mark Paynter:

I also had the pleasure of accompanying the students and Mrs Martin and I can honestly say it was one of the best careers days I have been to. The 20 or so police officers in attendance were wonderful ambassadors for the force with their warm welcome and enthusiasm in talking to the students about their career paths in life. Having not been in the business section of a police station before I was amazed at the size of the facility itself not to mention the technology in the watchhouse - there are cameras everywhere in each town so watch out!

Sincere thanks to Moe Police Station Officers Kat and Bryce for a fantastic tour. To Paula and all the wonderful Victoria Police members who presented as guest speakers and/or ‘library books’ and Jenni and the team at the BBLLLEN for their organisation of the event.

New Resource: Navigating your path to a career in Victoria Police (see attached)

Victoria Police are excited to introduce a new student resource, designed specifically to assist school leavers who are interested in pursuing a career as a police officer with Victoria Police.

Inside, ‘Navigating Your Path to a Career with Victoria Police’ students will find:

• An introduction to the Police Officer role and the amazing career pathways available 
• Interactive eligibility and suitability test 
• Video interviews of some of our police officers, who talk about their policing careers so far
• Tips and guidelines on how to navigate the application process.

Although police make up most of our workforce, there are other opportunities available to people who want to work with us. Students could have a successful career as a Protective Services Officer, Police Custody Officer, or public service employee. Over time, they may decide to go from one role to another – there’s no limit to what they can achieve at Victoria Police!

We value all types of skill sets, embrace diversity, and appreciate the value that lived experience can provide, so there’s something for everyone. 

The Careers Office has copies of the following Police Careers resources (attached):

• “Be a force for good” recruitment flyer
• Victoria Police Fitness Test and App flyer
• Prosecution Pathways
• Forensic Pathways
• Country Policing benefits flyer
• Monash Bachelor of Criminology and Policing (joint venture program between Monash University and Victoria Police)
• Policy Custody Officer

Police Life – The Victoria Police Magazine, Spring/Summer 2023, which includes a range of articles including:

• Re-opening of the Victoria Police Museum
• Vox Pops on serving members stand-out memory from their time at The Academy
• VP and the Vehicle Crime Squads involvement in debunking a fake news story relating to GM Prototype Holden No.2
• Use of Victoria Police’s Air Wing to assist by providing a view from the top with policing in situations such as pursuits, missing persons searches, rescues and general patrol.
• The work of Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit Detectives in solving the 30-plus-year missing person case of Morwell man Robert Mather.
• Police heading back to schools and classrooms to build better relationships with young people with Youth Resource Office Leading Senior Constable Sarah Reggardo leading the way in Sale.
• The misconceptions around work done by Victoria Police’s Document Examination Unit – it was quite an incredible read regards the unique items this unit examines.
• The role of Victoria Police’s Transport Support Unit in providing a life-supporting transport service to DonateLife.
• Police involvement in youth support and outreach programs such as the Embedded Youth Outreach Project.
• Interesting career stories of VP members, including Tom who went from a farming background and career in shearing to policing, and Amanda whose first full time career was teaching which has now morphed into police training.

More information including upcoming VP Information Sessions are available via the Police Career website https://www.police.vic.gov.au/careers