The 38-year-old is currently completing her first work placement at the Ballarat Police Station as part of her 33-week training course at the Victoria Police Academy.

Constable Prentice has made the career change after 21 years teaching hospitality at TAFE.

“It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the community and help people,” Constable Prentice said.

She said that after completing three or four years of general duties, there were many pathways on offer in Victoria Police, including crime investigation, traffic, air rescue and mounted police.

Constable Prentice, who will graduate in February 2016, said there was a lot to learn but it was “very enjoyable and interesting”.

She said she knew she would face critical incidents as a police officer, but had already been made aware of the welfare support services available within Victoria Police.

Ballarat Police Senior Sergeant Neale Robinson said police officers had access to a range of local welfare support and Victoria Police welfare services.

He said local welfare support was provided in the way of peer support officers who were trained to engage with members and abide by strict confidentiality guidelines.

“We recognise it is a difficult job but we have support services in place that are designed to address issues members may face,” Senior Sergeant Robinson said.

He said the Victoria Police welfare service responded immediately when contacted by Ballarat police officers.

Senior Sergeant Robinson said being a police officer was a career and people had been members for more than 20 years at Ballarat. “It’s good to have people coming through who see it as a career and not just a job.”

Constable Prentice encouraged prospective police officers to be patient with the 21-month process to be accepted into the police academy.

“I think it’s a career where you have so many opportunities. I would advise people to stick with it and pursue it.”