Former NSW Police detective-turned-English teacher Luke Taylor on Crime Story workshops launching at NSW libraries

Students feeling clueless about what to do on school holiday are being given a case to crack as a detective-turned-teacher shows them the ropes to police forensics in a NSW libraries initiative.

Crime Story's Brenda and Luke Taylor, former NSW cops-turned-teachers. Pictures: Supplied.

Rubber gloves – check. Dusting kit – check. Evidence bags – check.

Northern NSW students wondering what to do these school holidays have been given a case to crack by a top cop-turned-English teacher, who is giving teens a glimpse into what the world of forensics and policing looks like.

Former NSW Police detective Luke Taylor has worked right across the state, including Sydney and the Mid-North Coast, tackling some of the most heinous crimes over a 14-year period.

Now working an English and literacy teacher, he has launched Crime Story – a fun, tactile “CSI-style” workshop he says gets students off their phones and engaged in the world of forensic crime.

The workshops will be held at Goonellabah Library on Monday, July 15 and Tweed Heads Library on Wednesday, July 18.

Fancy a foray into the world of forensics? Crime Story is where it’s at, Mr Taylor says. Picture: Supplied.

And Mr Taylor won’t be solving the crimes in the dark alone, wife Brenda – also a former cop – is his business partner and literacy aide.

“With an authentic CSI style experience, school students will be immersed in the hands-on world of solving crime, employing genuine forensic procedures like fingerprinting and DNA and linking complex pieces of evidence amongst crime scenes with giant backdrops and exhibits,” Mr Taylor said.

“Specifically embedded in the workshop are literacy skills for everyone up to and beyond the HSC. It is real differentiation and provides a valuable experience for kids struggling to engage.

Students cracking a big case. Someone put the coffee on. Picture: Supplied.

“The North Coast has been a huge supporter of ours, with workshops from Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Taree and Coffs Harbour, and now in Lismore and Tweed Heads.”

“We know it will be a blast, whether they are writing fiction, true crime, comics, or a blended medium – we supply the intrigue and investigation skills and they create whatever they are inspired by in the world of CSI and detection.

And while the program is fun, Mr Taylor said his police knowledge and experience is a bonus for anyone curious about a career in policing.

“I was a detective in Sydney for over ten years – Cabramatta, Blacktown, Windsor and worked major cases such as homicide, armed robbery, drugs and some undercover work with the NSW Crime Commission before moving to Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad in Western Sydney,” he said.

Whodunit! All hands on deck. Picture: Supplied.

“It was there that I transferred to the Mid North Coast, covering Taree through to Kempsey.

“I finished up with 14 years of service and while there were very dark times, I know that there are a lot of people in society who are a bit safer for the job the police do.”

Mr Taylor said Crime Story now operates full time “so that every school – public, independent of otherwise has access to us.”

“We are mobile and travel to any school or location in the state.”

For more information, contact either Tweed Heads or Goonellabah Library.

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