Today, South Australia Police welcomes 26 new Probationary Constables, as Course 42 graduates from the Police Academy at Taperoo.
Left to Right: Probationary Constable Amore Oosthuizen, Probationary Constable Nicholas Wills and Probationary Constable Sharna Maynard.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions the 12 female and 14 male Probationary Constables will not celebrate their graduation with a traditional public ceremony.
The graduates of Course 42 are aged between 19 and 39. Nine of the course members are recognised as youth applicants (under the age of 24) and three are recognised as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse.
Following an intensive training course at the SA Police Academy, they will now undertake a probationary period that aims to build on the skills that they have developed and will provide valuable in-field experience.
At the academy, they have had lessons in law, investigations and procedure combined with operational safety, firearms and basic driver training.
Among the graduates is Amore Oosthuizen, who was born in South Africa and lived in New Zealand before moving to Adelaide when she was 15.
Probationary Constable Oosthuizen previously worked in the public sector as a clerical processor and says she is excited to join her team in the Western District, one day aspiring to work in the Criminal Investigation Branch or Forensic Response Unit.
“At age 18, I separated from my family and moved back to New Zealand, this time by myself, which gave me the opportunity to develop independence at a young age,” she says.
“I joined SAPOL for the variety in career paths available to me. It is a great honour to wear the uniform and to make a difference in the community.”
Former Protective Security Officer, Probationary Constable Nicholas Wills, graduates today after spending four years with SAPOL’s Police Protective Security Branch.
Probationary Constable Wills is extremely proud to be graduating today and is excited to begin his first posting in the Northern District, one day aspiring to work within the Criminal Investigation Branch.
“I am extremely proud to be South Australian and honoured to be serving the South Australian community,” he said.
“I chose to become a police officer because it is a unique opportunity to make a difference in my community and because of the variety within the job.”
Fellow course graduate Probationary Constable Sharna Maynard previously worked in retail and studied at Flinders University.
Also posted to the Northern District, Probationary Constable Maynard describes today’s graduation from the Police Academy as one of her proudest achievements to date.
“I wanted a career that will challenge me every day and encourage me to push myself,” she says.
“Coming from a policing family, I take pride in my future career and hope to achieve a variety of accomplishments within SAPOL.”
SA Police are always recruiting, and offer more than 40 career options, including working as a Police Officer, Protective Security Officer or Community Constable.
For more information about joining SA Police. please visit our recruiting website: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/join-us
