Victoria Lang is confident her experiences in the hustle and bustle of a shearing shed will hold her in good stead as she makes a career switch to Tasmania Police.
The qualified wool handler, wool classer and successful competitor, is part of Tasmania Police Recruit Training Course 4, 2025 and is undertaking an intensive 28-week program, with the goal to graduate next year.
While building a career within Tasmania Police is her focus, 26-year-old Trainee Constable Lang is still passionate about rural life and will continue, with her partner, to run 500 Merino ewes on land leased at Orielton.
The couple also worked on sheep farms and in shearing sheds around the country in the past six years in Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
Trainee Constable Lang said it was heartening to be able to pursue a policing career and continue her interest in the agriculture sector.
"Tasmania Police has been very encouraging in this new career but also for me to still continue with farming and competing, which is something I love to do," she said.
"I have always had an interest in policing as my family are heavily involved in the emergency services. I guess I wanted more life experience before I joined, which I was very lucky to have been able to do when we were working.
"Coming from an ag background, there are definitely some skills I have gained from wool handling, working on farms, and being around those busy shearing sheds, that I have been able to be transfer over to policing.
"In the shearing industry, it can be pretty full-on, and as a wool handler we have to be able to work hard and to work under pressure. Having that experience behind me has been helpful in the recruit process, as the training can get intense at times.
"It has been challenging, but in a good way, as I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone."
Away from the police academy, Trainee Constable Lang recently competed in the 2025 National Shearing and Wool Handling Competition in Jamestown, South Australia, in late October.
She placed third in the Open Wool Handling, missing a spot by one on the two-person Australian team to take on New Zealand in a trans-Tasman challenge.
Earlier in the year, she entered in the wool classing competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and won the gold stencil.
Tasmania Police Education and Training Acting Commander John Pratt said Trainee Constable Lang was an example of the opportunities available within the organisation.
"We welcome interest from prospective recruits who have various life and career experiences. Victoria is an excellent example of the diversity of our members and shows that you don't have to completely give up your previous lifestyle, your hobbies or interests when pursuing a career with Tasmania Police," Acting Commander Pratt said.
Tasmania Police is recruiting now.
A career in policing is dynamic and rewarding, and anyone interested in becoming a Tasmania Police officer is encouraged to take the next step.
For more information about Tasmania Police recruitment, visit https://recruitment.police.tas.gov.au/
