CWA Students Gain First-Hand Insights into Policing During Police Week

The College of West Anglia (CWA) has successfully delivered ‘Police Week’, a dedicated programme for Public Protective Services students designed to deepen their understanding of policing careers and the role of law enforcement in the community. The week-long initiative included hands on activities, scenario-based training and talks from serving police staff.

Led by Amy Stanton from Norfolk Constabulary, the week provided students with a realistic insight into police work and the skills needed to succeed in the sector. Throughout the week, students took part in a range of sessions including:

• Learning about the lived experience of a female student police officer; the realities of entering the police profession as a woman to overcoming stereotypes and building confidence in a historically male-dominated field
• Understanding the relationship between policing and social media; focusing on how the police can utilise social media to communicate with local communities but also how social media can support investigations. As well as the risks and challenges it presents in an ever-evolving landscape
• Hate crime awareness workshop; focusing on recognising, reporting, and understanding the impact of hate crime in the community.

Both PC Niamh Forrestall & PC Chloe Geary shared their journeys as female student police officers. PC Niamh Forrestall said that “Police week is so beneficial for both the college and the local police force, especially for breaking down barriers between the members of the public and the force. They get to know that we’re human too. It was also really good to have a female student member of the force come in to show female learners that they can also join the police and talk to someone who has gained the insight and experience.”

PC Chloe Geary also said, “Having attended Police week for the last three years at CWA, I’ve seen the growing importance in strengthening relationships between the Police and the College students as they are going to be the next generation of the police force. It also gives students the opportunity to talk to someone who has gone through the entire process and understands that we are here to help them. As well as giving opportunities to talk about possible career pathways, it enables us to do some mythbusting as well surrounding our responsibilities compared to the CPS.”

Another session featured discussion from PC Arvi Bhogal (Beat Manager) & PC Babs Salami (Community Engagement Officer) surrounding the experience of being an ethnic minority police officer, representation, community connection, and work to build trust and understanding across diverse groups:

PC Babs Salami said: “Being an ethnic minority police officer isn’t just about wearing the uniform. It’s about breaking barriers, building trust, and showing that representation matters. Every day, I strive to prove that diversity strengthens policing and creates safer, more inclusive communities.”

At the end of the week’s activities, students were also tasked with delivering formal presentations to a panel of serving officers, including Superintendent Sonia Humphreys, and Sergeant Darryl Grief. The session gave learners the opportunity to showcase their research, communication skills and confidence while receiving constructive feedback from senior members of the force.

The panel offered valuable insight into real world policing priorities, highlighting the importance of clarity, accuracy and community awareness in all aspects of police work. The experience provided a unique and authentic taste of the professional expectations placed on future officers.

Throughout the week, students were encouraged to ask questions about recruitment pathways, training opportunities, progression routes, and the realities of policing in modern society.

Postive Action Recruitment Advisor for the Norfolk Constabulary, Amy Stanton said, “Positive Action Police Week is a cornerstone of our two-year collaborative programme between Norfolk Constabulary and the college, designed to educate and empower young people about policing, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Throughout the week, we share insights and experiences, but the final day truly shines as students deliver powerful presentations on the barriers between policing and the public—and how we can overcome them together. The students ideas and passion inspire us just as much as we aim to inspire them, proving that change begins with dialogue and shared understanding. Positive Action Police Week and the amazing students and staff we meet through it is always the professional highlight of my year.”

Level 3 Public Protective Services Course Director, Caroline Greyson said, “At CWA we’re committed to giving our learners meaningful experiences that prepare them for their next steps. Police week showcases that perfectly. The opportunity to collaborate with serving officers helps students understand the realities of the profession and connect their studies to genuine career pathways.”

Police week offered students a valuable opportunity to learn directly from active professionals in the field and to develop their practical understanding of public service careers. The knowledge and experience gained will support those working toward roles within policing, the armed forces, fire and rescue, or other frontline uniformed services.