GRADUATIONS When Constable Kimberley Mennen graduated from the Victoria Police Academy this year, her experience could not have been more different to the countless number of recruits who have marched out before her. As part of the first squad to graduate under the Chief Health Officer’s Stage 4 restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Const Mennen’s family and friends were not seated in the chapel pews, her squad mates’ children weren’t patiently waiting for mum or dad to appear in uniform, and the sounds of bagpipes weren’t ringing out through the Academy entrance doors. The usual graduation fanfare was gone, only recruit instructors and key speakers were there for the special moment. Recruits sat 1.5 metres apart from each other during the short ceremony, where they marched up to the stage when called to collect their ‘Freddie’ (police badge) from a trolley. There would be no salutes and handshakes with senior police, with social distancing measures firmly in place. There would be no group celebration afterwards either. Const Mennen was just one of the 847 newly minted police officers, Protective Services Officers (PSOs) and Police Custody Officers (PCOs) across 21 ceremonies who experienced a graduation like no other, as Victoria Police worked hard to ensure the recruitment and training of all new officers continued safely throughout the pandemic. But Const Mennen, a third-generation police officer, said she wouldn’t change a thing about her unusual graduation.
“I was sad my grandad, retired Sergeant John Mennen, wasn’t able to be there, because he was really looking forward to seeing me graduate. He is very proud that I am following in his footsteps too,” Const Mennen said. The altered graduation ceremony was a fitting end to what was a memorable Academy experience for Const Mennen.
People Development Command (PDC) Assistant Commissioner Kevin Casey said the pandemic caused a significant amount of disruption not only to recruit training but other critical education, including Operational Safety and Tactics training which all police, PSOs and PCOs undertake bi-annually, Driver Training Unit programs, and critical incident and emergency management courses.
“We first entered the Academy before the pandemic when the bushfires were burning, so the air was heavy with smoke,” she said.
“During the pandemic, we saw how important it is to have sufficient police resources to keep the community safe,” AC Casey said.
“From week eight of training things started to change, with the gym, pool, and dining hall all closed. Soon after, classes were being held across two rooms, so we were sitting further apart, or they were held online. Physical training was also adjusted, with no physical contact allowed.”
“It is our responsibility at the Victoria Police Academy to ensure recruit training and all frontline officer training can continue. In these critical times, it is imperative our frontline responders are fully trained and prepared for any situation.
As her squad came together for the last time, Const Mennen knew how important it was to capture her graduation, even though professional photographers weren’t allowed at the Academy.
“It was the hard work of PDC staff, who prepared dedicated safety plans, organised emergency management meetings, and assigned safety officers, that was instrumental in the continuation of Academy services during this unprecedented period.”
“The deaths of the four Victoria Police officers in Kew happened the day before we started our station training, so that really hit home,” Const Mennen said.
A ‘super graduation’ for all former recruits who graduated during the pandemic and their families is tentatively planned for 2021.
“I decided to take group shots of my squad and a photographer from Forensics took pictures in the chapel.”
Images Masked graduates Const Kimberley Mennen and her squad graduated in one of the 21 COVIDsafe ceremonies that took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Const Mennen said her squad was a “great bunch” and their Academy experience has created a special bond they will have forever.
Editorial: Emily Wan Photography: Supplied
POLICE LIFE | SUMMER 2020-21
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