A COVENTRY University criminology and law student will tonight (Monday Dec 2) be commended after spending her gap year working as a Special on a neighbourhood police unit in the city.
Emily Kirk joined Coventry Police in last November under the Blue Line scheme, and volunteered for around 1,500 hours as a Special Constable in the city centre St Michael’s Neighbourhood Team for eight months.
She helped to deal with around 300 incidents from disorders to missing children – and has now re-joined as a regular Special Constable having started back full-time at university.
The 22 -year-old, originally from Cheshire, will be commended tonight on Monday Dec 2 at the Coventry Police Awards ceremony at St Mary’s Guild Hall.
She said: “I was pretty sure a policing career was right for me – that’s why I’m studying criminology and law – but I wanted to experience the job first-hand. It’s a unique role and I’ve really been immersed in the world of policing, getting involved in a cross section of police incidents and helping the public.
“It does have its highs and lows: one evening I remember helping a heavily pregnant lady and her children by giving them a lift home when they became trapped in a car-park. But I also attended a shocking incident when a man took his own life.
“Fundamentally though it’s about helping the public and keeping people safe – that’s what I’ve witnessed – and I know for certain it’s the career for me. I’d certainly encourage other students to consider a career in policing.”
Emily’s supervisor, Police Sergeant Kulwant Eaves, described her as an “inspiration to other students”.
She said: “Emily was a model police officer: professional, compassionate and hard working. She dedicated her time to policing for no financial reward.”
Blue Line was a UK-first initiative launched by Coventry Police back in 2015.
Sgt Eaves said: “This is a great opportunity for students to develop their law, crime prevention and problem-solving experience within the community. Blue Line is aimed at students with an interest in policing but even if that’s a path they don’t go down the scheme still provides invaluable work experience that prospective employers will appreciate.”
Regular Special Constables are required to commit a minimum of 16 hours a month.
For more information on joining West Midlands Police – as a full-time PC or volunteering opportunities: jobs.west-midlands.police
