A Stock Squad detective: that could be me

During the inaugural Women’s Week celebrations, we’ll be sharing the stories of 10 of our successful female officers to inspire women to think ‘that could be me‘. 

Meet Detective Senior Constable Cath Swan of the Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad based in Forest Hill who has had some incredible successes in her career and whose four-year-old son thinks she is Wonder Woman, riding horses and bikes to catch the bad guys.

I’m from…

I am originally from the Mid North coast of NSW but I grew up mostly in Mackay. I come from a rural background, which has helped with my SARCIS position. My family own a dairy farm in NSW and I grew up training and competing horses.

My first job…

My first ever job was a check out operator at Kmart in Mackay.

I found my way to policing…

After I finished high school I went to Central Queensland University in Mackay and graduated with a Bachelor of Education. I started teaching but after a few years I realised that it wasn’t the career for me and applied to join the Queensland Police Service.

Where I was when I found out I was in…

I was at home, I had been checking the mail every day waiting for a letter for about three weeks!

My first day as a police officer…

My first day as a police officer was challenging and exciting as I didn’t know what job was going to come over the radio next.

My service history…

I was sworn in as a Constable on 7 March 2007 and completed my First Year as a Constable at Toowoomba Station. I was then posted to Lowood Station, which is a busy country station. After a few years working Lowood Station, I was able to build my resume to a point where I applied for a Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad vacancy and was successful. I have been at SARCIS at Forest Hill since 2010.

My role…

I am a Detective Senior Constable and my role is to investigate stock related crime and crime that impacts on the rural community.

My typical day…

My typical day is not that typical. I am expected to do a lot of different things in my role. Some days I spend in the office doing paperwork, some days I am out making enquires and executing search warrants. Some days I get to spend riding the SARCIS horses and bikes searching for stolen property or missing persons. Some days I spend in court giving evidence and organising witnesses. Some days I am in the yards with messy boots and cattle. No matter what, I am happy to go to work every day.

My family…

Me and the most important little man in my life, my handsome four-year-old son.

My big love…

Is my little man who has just turned four years old. I do love going for a relaxing horse ride. I also love my job!

Being a police officer has made me…

More confident as a person generally and a better communicator.

My ‘professional edge’…

Is being organised and methodical in investigations and using contemporary investigation strategies in investigations.

Biggest success…

In 2014, I was asked to assist the Cold Case Homicide team with the investigation into the 1974 murder of Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters. I assisted in the investigation, which ultimately resulted in the two offenders being charged with three counts of murder, three counts of deprivation of liberty and rape of the two daughters some 40 years after the offences were committed. This investigation also resulted in a parallel drug trafficking investigation resulting in four offenders being charged with serious drug offences.

I am inspired by…

Hard working and intelligent Detectives.

My biggest fan…

Is my little man. He loves super heroes at the moment and he thinks I am Wonder Woman who rides dirt bikes and horses at work to catch all the bad guys.

An obstacle I’ve had to overcome…

When I first joined SARCIS I had the feeling that I didn’t belong in the ‘boys club’ as I was the only female operational investigator within SARCIS at the time. I made the conscious decision to prove to myself and to my colleagues that I did deserve the position. I worked really hard towards achieving my Detective appointment, which I received on 20 May 2015. I now know that I do belong and I feel supported by my colleagues and bosses.

A memorable moment in the QPS…

Physically arresting O’Dempsey for three counts of murder 40 years after the offence was committed. Another memorable moment was executing a Search Warrant and finding over $500,000 in cash and over 50 kilograms of cannabis.

Toughest part of the job…

Helping victims and witnesses who have been involved in critical incidents.

Best part of the job…

It is challenging and you don’t know what will happen each day.

A virtue/quote to live by…

“Remember that girl that gave up? Neither does anyone else.”

Never say…

Can’t… I was regularly told as a child that ‘can’t’ is not a word.

The best advice I can give to a potential female recruit thinking ‘That could be me’ is…

If you are thinking it could be you, then yes it can!

Cath appeared on 612 ABC Radio this week. Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/abc-queensland/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-female-detective

Visit policerecruit.com.au or call 1300 BE A COP.

For more stories from ‘That could be me’, visit here.