Year 11 student Jazmine recently completed a hands-on Work Experience placement with the Melton Police Department, where she gained valuable insight into the realities of law enforcement. Having this opportunity affirmed her dream of joining the force one day! Jazmine tells us more about it below.
Q: What drew you to complete your placement at the Melton Police Department, and what were you hoping to learn from the experience?
A: It was my childhood dream of becoming a police officer, but it didn't stick with me until I met someone who was in the police force and told me stories of her life in that career. When I found out that the police force offered work experience, I tried everything to get the spot as I really wanted this opportunity to see what my future could look like.
Q: Can you share something surprising or particularly memorable that you learnt during your time at the station?
A: Something surprising was that it was just like the movies, and they all ate donuts. Something I learnt was that everyone doesn’t live the same as us, there are always people who are struggling with family violence or with a mental disorder.
Q: How did this placement deepen your understanding of what it’s like to work in law enforcement or community safety?
A: It’s a lot different to seeing them out on the road. Going into the place they work and seeing the behind-the-scenes was great.
Q: Did your experience at the police department influence or affirm your future career goals? If so, how?
A: After completing the five days at the police station, it affirmed my goal of becoming a police officer in the future.
Q: How do you see this experience shaping the next steps in your education or personal development?
A: Going and spending the week with the police to learn the different things they’ve been taught was so different to how we learn at school. They have to see things in different ways to how we see things. Going there helped me realise how important school is to be able to cope with the amount of work they go through—it's just like school with the way they have things to fill out. It has helped me stay focused in my schoolwork, knowing that in the future, having the knowledge we learn at school can help you with anything.