New cops on beat

By Kelly Yates
TWO of Casey’s latest police recruits have hit the streets after recently graduating as part of one of the biggest recruit intakes in Victoria Police history.
Bonnie McHenry from Berwick and Cranbourne’s Christie Dowell both graduated from the Victoria Police Academy earlier this month after more than five months of training.
The 19-year-olds received their badges and certificates from Chief Commissioner Simon Overland during the graduation ceremony on 5 February.
Both women are working at the traffic, drugs and alcohol section in Brunswick on nightly booze bus operations.
Constable McHenry said she was inspired to become a police officer because of the work Victoria Police did for the community.
“It opened my eyes that the police weren’t there to give people fines but to help them in their times of need. I wanted to be a part of it.”
Constable Dowell, a former Lyndhurst Secondary College student, said she enjoyed the diversity of the job. “The best thing so far has been all the people I’ve met on my journey,” she said. “The worst would have to be getting used to night shifts. It’s a bit of a struggle.”
Const McHenry said a highlight for her was shaking hands with the Chief Commissioner.
“It made me so happy to be acknowledged as a police officer by the Chief Commissioner. It was a great achievement getting through the academy, especially being the youngest in my group,” she said.
Const Dowell said she hoped to one day help out with policing efforts in Dandenong or Springvale, with the aim of working in the prosecutions division, while Const McHenry wants to work in the traffic management unit or the detective field.