Saanich Police provided a first-hand look into a career in law enforcement for a half-dozen post-secondary students.
Six post-secondary students were kept busy this summer working on crime prevention and public safety issues with the Saanich Police Community Engagement Division.
B次元官网网址淭his program is so valuable to us. It gives us experience that weB次元官网网址檇 never get anywhere else, but itB次元官网网址檚 also really valuable to the community,B次元官网网址� said team lead Amy Acheson, who is working towards a bachelor degree in sport and fitness leadership at Camosun College.
Her stint with the Crime Prevention Team this summer, as well as time spent earlier this year with the police reserve program, has convinced Acheson to focus on a career in law enforcement.
B次元官网网址淵ou think youB次元官网网址檙e going to come in here and work on some work skills and you come in and really learn some things about yourself and who you are,B次元官网网址� said Acheson, who credits Sgt. Sherry Walsh with taking her under her wing and providing mentorship.
The Crime Prevention Team was made up of both students looking at a career in law enforcement as well as those following a different career path.
Emily Jackson is studying for a bachelor of arts in psychology at the University of Victoria.
B次元官网网址淚 would like to work in a career where I get to help the community and work with people,B次元官网网址� said Jackson, who is focusing her studies on early childhood developmental psychology. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 interested in law enforcement, maybe not specifically as an officer but maybe in restorative justice or family and child protective service.B次元官网网址�
The team worked on numerous crime prevention initiatives B次元官网网址� things such as fraud awareness seminars, parking lot audits, cellphone watch campaigns and boating safety issues B次元官网网址� as well as attending numerous events such as Music in the Park and Canada Day at the Gorge.
For Jackson, her favourite experience was meeting with members of the 55-plus social club at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
B次元官网网址淭he people there are awesome and were so welcoming,B次元官网网址� said Jackson, who got a lesson in carpet bowling from the members. B次元官网网址淚t was great to learn something new with people who have so many stories and so much life experience. ItB次元官网网址檚 a different type of interaction than with your own peer group.B次元官网网址�
Acheson praised the interaction with the officers, saying the open-door policy shown by everyone from regular duty constables right up to the chief has convinced her to continue on her path towards a career in law enforcement.
The time spent with the Crime Prevention Team has taught Jackson a lot about herself.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e gained a lot of confidence in my abilities and ideas, and I think thatB次元官网网址檚 a valuable skill going forward,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think the best part is how much IB次元官网网址檝e grown into myself.B次元官网网址�
