A former doctor, brand manager and junior football coach are among 26 new police officers to graduate today from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy.
Many Course 67 members have culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including from India, South Africa, China, Hong Kong and Hungary.
Ranging in age from 19 to 50, five women and 21 men bring various work experience to policing. Some offer medical, hospitality, security, retail, and customer service experience, while others have farming, construction, education, military and recreational backgrounds.
Graduate, FeiFei, has resided in Australia since 2007 and worked as a General Practitioner in China before being inspired by her daughter to pursue a “dream” policing career.
“My daughter is a figure skater, excelling as champion in South Australia and currently holds a top-three ranking nationally,” she said.
“Seeing her achievements keeps me going in chasing my dream career, and wearing the SAPOL uniform fills me and my family with pride.”
FeiFei looks forward to using her bilingual skills to serve the community.
Similarly pursuing a new career in Australia, Robin has ventured from Hungary, where he worked as a brand manager for a distribution company and started Aikido – a modern Japanese martial art – to manage stress.
He joined SAPOL to “serve and make a difference”.
“I wanted to be the person who helps people through a day which may be the worst in their lives,” Robin said.
“It positively surprised me how much support SAPOL offers to employees.
“I feel like I developed a lot as a person since starting at the academy. My language skills and understanding of Australian culture have definitely improved, I am more confident, and have a different way of thinking.”
Fellow graduate, Mitchell, brings retail and coaching experience to the role, and a love of sport and travelling.
“My experience as a junior football coach has given me a lot of confidence within myself to lead and to work well within a team,” he said.
“These skills will be applied to my everyday policing, as I will be constantly working in a team-based environment.”
He felt privileged to be a member of Course 67.
“We all get along and aspire to one common goal,” Mitchell added.
Meanwhile, FeiFei hopes to work in SAPOL’s Dog Operations Unit or Criminal Investigations Branch, and is also interested in becoming an academy instructor. Robin plans to pursue a career in Serious and Organised Crime or Major Crash, while Mitchell is interested in becoming a patrol team Sergeant and working in specialist areas relating to outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) crime.
Course 67 graduates will be stationed to metropolitan and regional postings, including Limestone Coast, Eyre Western, Far North, Murray Mallee and Hills Fleurieu Local Service Areas.
SAPOL is currently recruiting and is keen to hear from people interested in an inspiring career with unmatched experiences and rewards.
If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore – Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)
Robin, Mitchell and FeiFei are among 26 new police officers to graduate today, Wednesday 17 April, from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy.
