QPHS magazine - Spring Term 2026 - Magazine - Page 43
A week inside the Force
UPS students recently enjoyed an invaluable
work experience placement with Merseyside
Police, offering a real insight into life behind
the badge.
They learned about the wide range of roles
within the force and how officers work together
to keep communities safe.
They also had the chance to chat with serving
officers and staff, who shared honest stories
about the challenges and rewards of the job.
Through exploring areas such as response
policing, investigations, and community
engagement, students gained a clearer picture
of the skills and qualities needed for a future
career in the police.
Jakub, Year 13 student recounts his
experience:
During my week with Merseyside Police, I got a
real taste of what life on the front line is like and
the many responsibilities officers manage each day.
On Monday, I worked in the Hydra Suites at Lee
Green, making decisions in simulated emergency
scenarios. This really improved my decisionmaking and showed me how officers prioritise
incidents based on risk, threat and harm.
Tuesday took me to Mather Avenue, where I
learned how the police handle reports of abuse and
support victims. I also toured a police interceptor
vehicle and took part in a field sobriety test while
learning about drink and drug driving.
On Wednesday, I took part in team-building
activities, visited the Mounted Section and
completed a Counter Terrorism qualification - an
amazing opportunity!
Thursday involved observing riot training, building
-clearance exercises, and taking part in a simulated
protest which gave me a clearer understanding of
public-order policing.
On Friday, we heard from the Drugs Unit and
Cybercrime Unit and sat in on a scrutiny panel
reviewing body-worn camera footage, highlighting
the importance of accountability.
Overall, the week strengthened my communication,
teamwork and decision-making skills, and gave me
a much clearer understanding of what a career
in policing involves.
INSTINCT TO ACTION
Linking Psychology and Protection
Georgia R, Year 13 UPS student shares her account of the visit:
This term, UPS students went on a trip to Chester Zoo, which
was both interesting and helped me better understand psychology
and how it links to the Uniformed Protective Services. While we
were there, we attended a psychology talk with Lucy that focused
on orangutans and other primate species, exploring how they have
evolved and how their behaviour helps them survive.
Lucy explained that orangutans and other primates are highly
intelligent and have developed key behaviours such as
communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.
These animals live in social groups and rely on one another for
protection, learning and survival. This was linked to the
Uniformed Protective Services, as police officers, firefighters and
paramedics also rely on teamwork, trust and clear communication
to handle dangerous and unpredictable situations.
The talk also explored how animals respond to stress and threats,
including making quick decisions and staying calm under
pressure. This helped me understand how similar this is to
emergency responders who often have to make fast decisions in
high-risk situations while controlling their emotions. Lucy
explained that training in the Uniformed Protective Services is
important because it helps manage natural stress responses, in the
same way that animals rely on instinct and learned behaviour to
stay safe.
Another important link to the Uniformed Protective Services was
leadership and structure. Lucy explained that primate groups often
have leaders who guide the group and make decisions to keep
them safe. This is similar to command structures within the
police, fire service and ambulance service, where clear leadership
is essential to manage incidents effectively and avoid confusion.
Overall, the visit to Chester Zoo helped me understand how
psychology and evolution play a vital role in both animal and
human behaviour. It showed that many of the skills needed in the
Uniformed Protective Services, such as teamwork,
communication, leadership, adaptability and staying calm under
pressure, are behaviours that have developed over time and
remain essential in today9s world.
