When it comes to planning a career in the police, what better way to get an insight than spending a day in the top job?

That is exactly what Redcar and Cleveland student Nieve did, as the 17-year-old day was given the opportunity to work as Cleveland Police Chief Constable for the day.

“I was really excited when I found out I had been selected, as it was a chance to experience a completely different side to policing,” she said.

As the day got closer, she admitted to feeling a few nerves, but there was no need as the policing student quickly found her stride, getting updates from the various teams and even chairing the chief officer’s team meeting.

“It was all done online because of Covid,” she said. “It was interesting to learn about other aspects of policing that members of the public don’t generally see. People see the response officers going to jobs, but they don’t see all the work in the background.”

The event was organised by Cleveland Police and Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to mark Universal Children’s Day.

An introduction from Chief Constable Richard Lewis, kick started the day.

A member of Cleveland Police Cadets and the Cleveland Youth Commission, Nieve is no stranger to the force.

Her links with the cadets and youth commission have seen her spend time with both the traffic and dogs’ sections and later this month she has work experience planned with the control room.

Studying policing at the college and keen to learn more about the management side, Nieve said: “You get to see how it all links together when it comes to doing the actual job.”

Inspired by her dad, who is a police officer, she said: “I have always wanted to help the community and help vulnerable people in society.”

With her sights set on becoming a police constable, Nieve is already planning her next steps.

Learning lots from the day, she said: “It was a really good experience, and it has given me more knowledge for the job.”

To find out more about the Policing courses available at Redcar and Cleveland College visit: www.cleveland.ac.uk/public-services