Working for Victoria Police’s Water Police can be challenging, physically demanding and unpredictable. The three women in the squad wouldn’t have it any other way. With waves up to two metres high in Port Phillip Bay, the Water Police’s rigid hull inflatable boat approaches the passenger ferry that travels between Sorrento and Queenscliff. The crew are being smashed around and soaked by the waves but, despite the conditions, they must get on board the ferry as a serious incident has occurred. These are the conditions of a recent training exercise for the Water Police’s elite Marine Response Team (MRT). The role of the MRT is to provide boarding capability within the ports of Victoria to assist counter terrorism agencies and respond to serious incidents or crimes that take place on the water. Leading Senior Constable Felicity Bell has been with the Water Police for 10 years, works part-time and has just completed the physically gruelling MRT course. “It was hard work, but it was fantastic, a great personal achievement after having three children,” she said. “It was a three-week course and some days the conditions weren’t ideal, but I’m now qualified to tactically operate the inflatable boats, giving me the ability to be part of the MRT and enabling me to respond to high-level incidents aboard other vessels.”
A recent one included a drug and alcoholaffected man on a houseboat in Eildon.
“Working at the Water Police gives me the ability to combine work with my own interests.
The boat was on the lake with a group of people on board. At 2am, the MRT was called to pair up with local police and respond to a family violence incident where a man was angry and violent. The MRT crew boarded the boat and arrested him.
“I enjoy the challenges this role offers, learning all the new technical skills and being out on the boats. Seeing Felicity recently complete the MRT course has given me the inspiration to aim to achieve that as well.”
Another incident occurred in Corio Bay, when a group of men living aboard a boat were making threats to kill an Imam at a mosque. The MRT boarded the boat in the middle of the night, surprising the occupants and making an arrest without incident. Water Police members also run the 24hour Rescue Coordination Centre, which coordinates search and rescue incidents across the state. Victoria Police’s Water Police has 60 members and, while there are only three women there at the moment, Ldg Sen Const Bell hopes more will join. “Joining the Water Police is not just about boats,” she said. “A love of the water and a healthy respect for it are important. “To work in the Water Police you need to be resilient, tenacious and creative with how you go about your work.
Sergeant Matthew Henderson said he was thrilled to have Ldg Sen Const Bell as the MRT’s second female member, but the first in 10 years.
“It is important for women to be selected on merit and there is nothing at all precluding them from joining the squad.”
“Felicity is a great example of how hard work and determination can help anyone complete this course,” he said.
Senior Constable Madeleine McDonald joined the Water Police in May and Senior Constable Bonnie Hewett joined in December last year.
“It does take a certain amount of fitness, but at the Water Police you will be supported and get help to increase and maintain that level of fitness.”
Sen Const McDonald came from the Operations Response Unit and was looking to do something different.
Sgt Henderson said the MRT responded to many and varied jobs year-round.
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“I’ve always had a love for water sports and the outdoors,” she said.
Sen Const Hewett decided to join the Water Police because she wanted to combine the outdoors with policing. She said moving from the Ballarat Family Violence Unit to a specialist role was challenging. “It’s a steep learning curve when you first get to the office and a different environment than a fast-paced police station. “Working at the Water Police is very rewarding. I’ve been involved in interesting jobs that require a lot of responsibility, while you also get to have a lot of fun on the water. “I’ve really enjoyed learning about navigation, rope work and being involved in the coordination of search and rescue incidents.”
Images Marine team 01 Ldg Sen Const Bell is kitted up for Marine Response Team training. 02 Recent training for the team involved boarding a ferry in Port Phillip Bay. 03 Ldg Sen Const Bell with the other women in the Water Police, Sen Const McDonald and Sen Const Hewett. Editorial: Janae Houghton Photography: Shane Bell
To find out more about the inspiring women at Victoria Police, visit the Behind the Badge exhibition at the Victoria Police Museum. More details on page 6.
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POLICE LIFE | SPRING 2016
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