They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
But for Naval Police Coxswains Petty Officer Damien Bower and son, Able Seaman Thomas Bower, the first father and son to serve together at the Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU), you could say the baton doesn’t fall far from the handcuffs.
Able Seaman Bower graduated from the Defence Force School of Policing at Holsworthy Barracks on June 15, following in his father’s footsteps.
“I’ve seen him travel the world and do all sorts of cool things since I was 10 years old,” Able Seaman Bower said.
“He’s pushed me to be the best that I can be and I’d love to pay him back and be the kind of Naval Police Coxswain that he is.”
The Bower name has been a part of Navy for more than 30 years.
Petty Officer Bower enlisted in 1992 and transferred to Naval police a decade later.
Today he works in Canberra’s Joint Military Police Force’s policing operations support cell.
“My love of helping people is why I’ve done this for the past 22 years,” Petty Officer Bower said.
Now it’s something he can share with his son.
Although uncommon, there is a history of parents and children serving together in the same unit.
It’s the first time a father and son have served in JMPU since it was raised in 2018.
But it’s believed to be the first time two generations of Naval Police Coxswains have served together.
Father and son will be posted across the country, but Able Seaman Bower said it would be “pretty cool” if they shared a workplace.
Until then he would follow his father’s advice.
“He said to be professional at all times,” Able Seaman Bower said.
“Don’t let any of the outside noise sort of get to you and follow the Defence values.”
