Secondary school students join constabulary for force work experience week

With a packed timetable of police related activities, 14 secondary school students from across the county joined the constabulary for their work experience week.

This is the third year that the force has invited students in to experience the world of policing.
 

The students, aged 15 and 16, were put through their paces trying out the fitness bleep test and also got to find out more about the equipment officers carry including batons and PAVA spray.
 

They spent time in our Force Communications Room (FCR) where our call handlers deal with 999, 101 and online crime reports from the public.
 

A police dog demonstration showed the teenagers how we work to search premises and locate suspects and they also got the opportunity to see the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter up close at its base in North Weald.
 

Our Scenes of Crimes Officers showed how they work to capture evidence when a crime has taken place and the students then got to carry out their own ‘search’ in a mocked-up property where they dusted for fingerprints.
 

They spent time with the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Road Policing Unit learning about vehicle pursuits and got to try out a police stinger device, which is stretched across the road to puncture the tyres of vehicles where the driver has refused to stop. They quickly discovered that it is harder to use than it looks!
 

An interesting presentation was given by a detective from the BCH Major Crime Unit, who talked about some of the high-profile murder cases they have solved and shared what it’s like working with producers from the hit TV show 24 Hours in Police Custody.
 

The students also met with our firearms officers who showed them the various weapons they are specially trained to carry. Time was also spent with one of our police cadet leaders to find out more about what our young volunteers contribute to the constabulary and the various avenues into a policing career.
 

PC Angelina Wade, who coordinated the week, said: “When young people consider a career in policing, they may automatically only think of officers in uniform responding to emergency calls.
 

“While this is obviously a big part of what we do there are a whole array of other interesting roles within the constabulary that many may not have even considered.
 

“These include; responding to the public in our FCR, working to solve crimes as a detective, providing specialist support to victims, ensuring the smooth running of our systems through work in our ICT department, delivering training to new recruits to ensure we are fully equipped to respond to the public’s needs and working on the redevelopment of our headquarters site as part of our Estates and Facilities team.
 

“The constabulary is one of the county’s largest employers with a commitment to be inclusive and welcomes people from all walks of life.
 

“We hope that this week has highlighted the many opportunities that the constabulary can offer to our young people.”
 

Some of the feedback from students can be seen below:
 

“I just wanted to email you to thank you both for the opportunity and experience. It has been very insightful and interesting and I have enjoyed it a lot.”
 

“I feel like I understand their roles better.”
 

“I didn't realise how many opportunities and jobs were offered.”
 

“I didn't know much about the police before work experience, but now I respect police officers even more after knowing about all the difficult jobs they have.”
 

“I still have a similar view on the police but I am more confident in my pursuit of it as a profession.”
 

"I just like them and respect them a lot more now puts a friendly face and humanity to Herts police."
 

The positive feedback also came from parents of the students, with one saying,

“This email is to say a huge thank you for the fantastic work experience opportunity that you have provided this week.
 

“Alongside many of your colleagues, you have worked tirelessly to ensure the children get an interesting, educational and thoroughly enjoyable introduction to the police.
 

“There are some obvious highlights, such as helicopters, drones, police cars and visiting HQ. However, we were delighted that our son also said he found the team building tasks and Q&A sessions with experts to be super interesting too, and he has been telling us all sorts of interesting facts that he has learned.  We all know that keeping a group of teenagers engaged for a solid five days is no mean feat by any stretch!”
 

There were also similar sentiments echoed by teachers of the students, with one saying, “I would like to take the opportunity, on behalf of our Lower 5^th students and staff to thank you for supporting our work experience programme recently.  I hope you found the week rewarding and successful.
 

“Feedback from our students and from visiting staff has been overwhelmingly positive.  I am aware and appreciate it takes time to prepare for a student working with you, ensuring they have a range of activities and challenging tasks to complete throughout the week.  Please pass our thanks to all staff involved.”
 

Hertfordshire Constabulary works with Hertfordshire County Council in partnership with local schools to identify students to take part in the work experience week. The force is not involved in the selection process.
 

Due to the nature of policing, we are unable to facilitate individual requests for work experience. However, young people interested in a career in policing may wish to join our police cadets, which is open to all those aged between 13 and 18. You can find out more via our Cadets webpage (opens in a new window).
 

The force also hosts Discovery Days for students and career changers to meet the recruitment team, find out more about the many opportunities in policing and how to apply. The next event is due to take place in September so please look out for details on our social media channels closer to the time.
 

Details of our job fairs and information about careers in policing – both paid and volunteering roles – can be found on our careers and volunteering webpage (opens in a new window).