From the surrounding areas 12 students, and one very lucky girl from Lightning Ridge, has been chosen to complete 100 days paid employment during their Year 11 and 12 school years.

Lightning Ridge resident and central school student Anna Scopel jumped at the opportunity and she is very pleased

that she took the trainee job at the station.

“I just found it interesting and thought it would be something different,” Ms Scopel said.

She started at the end of February and will spend every Wednesday at the local station getting involved in the daily duties of a Lightning Ridge Police Officer. She will also receive tertiary training from the Western Institute of TAFE for a Certificate Two level. Three students from Lightning Ridge applied for the program. They travelled to the local area command in Walgett where they were interviewed to see who was better suited to the job.

“I was very nervous but once it was over and I found out I had got it I was very happy,” she said.

“My mum then announced it on Facebook and everyone has been commenting.”

Anna has her sights on the NSW Police Dog Unit as her point of call.

“I love dogs,” Ms Scopel said.

The program will take approximately two years to complete and at the end Anna will have worked a total of 100 days employment.

“I have been watching and learning, they tried to get me to answer the phone this morning but Shane Pitt had already answered it,” she said.

On successful completion of the traineeship, participants will be afforded recruitment to the force via the NSW Police Academy.

“My family are very supportive and very proud,” Ms Scopel said.

“I probably won’t come to Lightning Ridge to work, I have too many family ties and it would get too hard to do my job.”