Local women urged to join Victoria Police

BASS Coast police held a successful ‘meet and greet’ at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve last Friday, January 21, to help encourage more local women to join the force.

The casual session hosted various female officers from all different policing roles, such as Crime Scene, Crime Investigation and Highway Patrol.

Attendees were given a detailed insight into how each role works and a close-up look at the different policing equipment and vehicles.

Senior Constable Varli Blake was one of the officers on the day, sharing what she loves about policing and the wide range of opportunities available.

“I joined in 2012 after I finished at the academy, then I went to South Melbourne and started there,” she said.

“I started doing Crime Scene services and then spent a couple of years at the Major Crime Scene Unit, which covers all the state and homicides.

“But I always wanted to be a detective.”

Snr Const Blake then worked a further two years at Stonnington and Port Phillip, before eventually being stationed at Wonthaggi Crime
Investigation Unit.

“We (CIU) investigate burglaries and incidents that are more time consuming,” she said.

“Or any reports that come through from Crime Stoppers; that’s why Crime Stoppers are important.

“But I love it, I love being a cop in general and you work with great people.

“It’s something different every day.”

Snr Const Blake added that Victoria Police was a great career for women to choose. She encouraged those interested to pursue it.

“You’ve got different opportunities within the organisation as well,” she said.

“There’s no limit… if you want a promotion, you’ve got the opportunity to do that.”

For more information on a career in Victoria Police, visit police.vic.gov.au/careers.