As part of a partnership with Wongutha CAPS, a residential college for Indigenous youth on the outskirts of Esperance, local police have recently taken on a 17 year old Indigenous youth as part of a structured work place learning program.
17 year old Leith Stevens is originally from Kalgoorlie, but has been schooling at Wongutha for the past three years.
Leith has harboured a long-term desire to become a police officer and when Senior Sergeant Peter Scott, Officer in Charge of Esperance Police Station, was approached by Leith’s Wongutha mentor, he jumped at the opportunity to take the young man on board for one day a week.
“I am hopeful that we can mentor Leith with a view to getting him into the cadet traineeship program and ultimately becoming a police officer. Having a young indigenous person working with us is also a great opportunity for my staff to learn from Leith and improve their ability to interact better with indigenous youth,†he said.
Senior Sergeant Scott said that with the re-commencement of the Cadet Scheme, more young people would express an interest in policing. “Previously there has been some hesitancy taking on work experience students, but I think flexibility and working to accommodate their needs is the key,†he said.
“Recruiting has become a key issue for the organisation so anything we can do at a local level, particularly in attracting Indigenous people to the organisation, will be energy well spent. Ultimately I would love to see Leith return here as a Constable.â€
Photo (l-r): Senior Sergeant Peter Scott, Officer in Charge at Esperance Police Station, with Constable Wes Smith and Leith Stevens, a 17 year old youth who dreams of becoming one of WAPOL’s finest.
Article Reproduced with the kind permission of WA Police Public Affairs Branch
