IT STARTED with a visit to Warrington’s Priestley College by a local policeman.
Now Wesley Jenkins will have his own beat after being so inspired by the constable’s talk that he trained to become an officer himself.
“What the officer said to us that day just matched up with my ethos of wanting to care for other people,” said the former Birchwood High School pupil.
Wesley, who grew up in Birchwood, was studying Public Services, Sport and Financial Studies at Priestley College on the day that helped determine his path in life.
He went on to complete a BSC (Hons) in Policing and Criminal Investigation at Staffordshire University before achieving a Masters.
Despite this it took three attempts before he successfully applied for police officer training. After completing a 25-page application, impressing in roleplay scenarios he was able to begin his 17-week course.
Now qualified, his first goal is to complete his two-year probation period and then take gradual steps towards his goal of becoming a senior investigating officer.
“Being a policeman appeals to me because I will be dealing with the public, I will be helping people and solving problems,” he said.
In October, PC Jenkins returned to Priestley College to speak to the current cohort of Public Service students.
Tutor Carol Harrison-Chan said: “Given how Wesley started on his path to becoming a policemen he could well be the one to inspire one of our current students to follow in his footsteps.
“More than that, though, he shows what can be achieved if you work hard and stick to your goals.”
