Protective services students from Barking & Dagenham College got hands-on experience of search techniques used by counter terrorism police.
The protective services students were given a behind-the-scenes look during a visit to the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Technical Search Department, where they explored advanced technology and tools used in high-level search operations.
Officers at the unit demonstrated equipment used to detect and prevent threats and explained the detailed planning and strict protocols required to operate in sensitive or high-risk environments.
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Lacey Walsh, one of the students who attended, said: "This experience was a great insight that opened my eyes to the different departments within the Met. It showed me that, alongside becoming a police constable, there are other career paths available, such as working as a search officer."
Students also spoke with professionals working in the department, gaining a better understanding of the skills and teamwork involved in counter-terrorism operations.
Gwen Edwards, sport and protective services curriculum manager at Barking & Dagenham College, said: "The students had a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand what the Search Department does and to ask direct questions. This experience links closely with their Equality & Diversity unit, particularly in understanding the impact of terrorism and the measures put in place to protect the public."
The visit not only broadened students’ career horizons but reinforced the real-world relevance of what they are learning in the classroom. It highlighted the range of roles available within protective services, beyond frontline policing, and underlined the importance of technical support in keeping the public safe.
