Students given unique insight into a career in the PSNI
STUDENTS from seven local schools have seen what it’s like on the frontline for police, from tackling public order incidents to responding to emergencies, during a glimpse inside the workings of the PSNI.
Sixteen pupils took part in the four-day work experience programme in a bid to give them a better understanding of the wide range of roles available in the police service, should they choose policing as a career.
The 15 to 17 year-olds who gained this special insight within the PSNI’s Ards and North Down Policing District team came from Holywood’s Sullivan Upper and Priory College, Movilla High School and Regent High School in Newtownards and Bangor Grammar, Bangor Academy and Glenlola Collegiate.
Commencing on June 18, the students first undertook an induction session at Newtownards Police Station where they met local officers who accompanied them throughout their stint.
Following a health and safety briefing, students engaged in problem solving exercises with the neighbourhood team, observed call-handling and how reports from the public were dealt with, also witnessing the dispatch of officers dealing with emergencies and vulnerable people.
“In addition to this, the students heard about what happens when an individual is arrested and the next steps, including interviews and follow-up enquiries to gather further evidence,” added a PSNI spokeswoman.
The students also met with officers from the district’s Operational Support Department, where they were treated to an afternoon out on police boats in Bangor, setting sail from Bangor Marina to see what it’s like patrolling the water.
The students also participated in sessions with numerous departments, from the Roads Policing Unit, the Custody and Operational Support Unit, the Dog Unit and the Headquarters Mobile Support Unit (HMSU) where they heard about the more tactical side of policing.
The young group also had the chance to participate in a public order training session at Steeple Barracks, giving them a greater understanding of appropriate policing response to managing public disorder.
It served to show how officers deal with ‘dangerous situations and environments’ and how they ‘stay safe when faced with irate members of the public’.
Constable Emma Smith, who co-ordinated the week, said the PSNI was delighted to welcome this year’s work experience students.
“It’s certainly an enjoyable week for us away from the usual demands and to engage with young people interested in what we do.
“As one of the busiest policing districts in Northern Ireland, it was a great opportunity for the young students to see what exciting career pathways are available within the police service,” she said.
“From neighbourhood officers to response, and from detectives in crime, to dog handlers, no role is the same and we were able to demonstrate this, no matter what the interests or needs are of each individual.”
Highlighting the ‘huge role’ police play, she said ‘we touch the lives of thousands, so it’s important the students saw that we too are real people’.
“We just work to keep people safe and so happen to be in uniform when doing so. This shouldn’t, however, be a reason to not engage with us – we want to build on relationships with the younger generation who can make a real difference in their local community, so the week enabled us to do just that.”
Watching the students’ confidence grow during the week, Emma said they were ‘motivated, enthusiastic, polite, and well-presented’.
“I very much hope they have taken away some fond memories of their placement with us and consider a role within the service.”
The students ended the week with a visit to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Memorial Garden at its headquarters in Brooklyn, in Belfast, where they met with local policing Assistant Chief Constable, Bobby Singleton.
They were treated to a memento group photograph with Mr Singleton, before being presented with certificates for completing the four-day programme.
The feedback from the students overall was extremely positive. One said: “It was a very enjoyable and interesting week, not only because of the people who came to speak to us about what they do in the police but also because of the friendly officers who were with us all week – it was also nice to meet the other students, too.
“It was also way better than any other placement I could have done – we even got a chance to throw some bricks during the public order training – not something I would have ever imagined doing.
“From my work experience, I now feel that when I leave school, I would like to possibly pursue a career as a police officer and work within my local community – I like the idea of a uniform also!”
For more information on the Police Service of Northern Ireland, visit: https://www.psni.police.uk/.
