West Midlands Police's first Latvian PCSO successfully combines job with studies
A police recruit has successfully combined her studies with becoming West Midlands Police's first Latvian Police Community Support Officer.
Linda Polska, who patrols Low Hill in Wolverhampton, applied to the force during the final year of her studies at Birmingham City University.
The PCSO has sailed through her training and is expected to receive a first-class degree in criminology, policing and investigation.
Ms Polska, 23, who moved to the UK seven years ago, speaks three different languages and is helping the force to engage better with communities.
She is now urging others, including those from an Eastern European background, to apply for a role in West Midlands Police.
Ms Polska said: "It’s been great and I’m really enjoying the role, even though it’s been such a strange time with coronavirus pandemic.
"I’ve wanted to join the police for a while and as a PCSO you deal with the community a lot, you help and support people and that is what I like doing.
Encourage
"I’m really determined when I set my mind on something and I was able to combine both the course and joining West Midlands Police. I had a lot of support from the university and my police colleagues too.
"I would encourage anyone, from any community or background, to consider joining the police force as it’s a great feeling being able to help others."
Inspector Stuart Roberts, from Wolverhampton Police, added: "Linda has already shown herself to be a fantastic addition and has been warmly welcomed into the team.
"We’re proud to serve in a diverse area, and Linda’s ability to speak different languages and engage with our eastern European communities has enabled us to improve our rapport and better share important information.
"We’re always striving to be better, and being a diverse force helps us to help others."
