South Australia Police (SAPOL) is welcoming 27 experienced officers into service today, which will bolster frontline policing across metropolitan and regional communities.
In the past two years, 207 officers have graduated through SAPOL’s Transition Program (STP), bringing with them more than 1,680 years of combined policing experience from interstate and overseas agencies. On average, each recruit joins SAPOL with more than eight years of frontline service.
In total, 43 graduates have chosen to serve in regional locations, making an immediate and significant contribution to enhancing frontline policing capabilities in regional, rural and remote jurisdictions.
STP Course 11 will further boost regional policing capability with nine experienced international officers set to take up frontline roles across Coober Pedy, Ceduna, Whyalla, Murray Bridge and Port Pirie, having now completed their Academy training.
Among the graduating cohort are married couple Lindsey and Joshua, and colleague Darius, who relocated from London’s Metropolitan Police to continue their policing careers.
The trio have chosen Coober Pedy as their first posting, highlighting the growing appeal of regional South Australia for experienced international officers.
Joshua, 31, said the opportunity to experience different areas across South Australia was one of the key attractions of a career with SAPOL.
“I feel SAPOL has a lot to offer, with the variety of postings across the state and the different environments you can work in,” Joshua said.
Fellow graduate Lindsey, 34, said the move from one of the world’s largest cities to regional South Australia was an opportunity to experience policing in a completely different environment.
“I want to travel around and do multiple country postings and see as much of
South Australia as a I can,” Lindsey said.
This latest graduation reflects the ongoing success of SAPOL’s interstate and international recruitment strategy, with experienced officers strengthening frontline capability and helping meet workforce demands across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said the deployment of the 200th experienced officer marked a significant achievement for SAPOL’s international and interstate recruitment strategy.
“Reaching 200 experienced interstate and international officers through SAPOL’s Transition Program is a significant milestone and demonstrates our commitment to strengthening frontline policing capacity across South Australia,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“I am particularly proud to see many of these officers deployed to regional communities, where their experience and skills are helping deliver strong local policing services and enhance community safety.”
Looking for a career that matters? SAPOL is recruiting now and wants to hear from people seeking meaningful work, exciting challenges and rewarding experiences.
Enjoy job security, career progression and the opportunity to make a real impact in the community. Visit www.police.sa.gov.au/join-us/achievemore to find out more.
L-R: Darius, Lindsey, and Joshua
