SA Police (SAPOL) are today welcoming 26 graduates to its ranks as Probationary Constables following the completion of 12-months of study at the Police Academy at Taperoo.
Course 32 features 13 men and 13 women, ranging in age from 19 to 42, and like many who join the police, they bring with them a diverse range of past experiences.
Megan Palmer was previously a special education teacher in Adelaide’s northern suburbs for 14 years, working with students with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Keen to work in the Major Crash Investigation Branch in the future, she said she applied to join the police because the diversity of the career path appealed to her.
“I have been posted to the Northern District (Golden Grove) and my aim is just to learn as much as I can,” she said.
Her fellow graduate, Manveer Singh, finished his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in India and worked as a lecturer for six months before moving to Australia in 2012, where he obtained a Double Master’s degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Management.
“I always wanted to be in uniform and serve the community,” he said.
“After graduating and finalising my immigration, I started working on my fitness and lost 35 kilos by the time I was accepted into the South Australia Police Academy in 2018.”
He too will begin his career as a Probationary Constable posted to the Northern District (Elizabeth), and aims to become a detective with the Criminal Investigation Branch.
A third graduate reflective the range of recruits is Jake Beaumont, who joined SAPOL after working as a retail assistant for three years.
“I’m very happy and excited to graduate and be placed at Port Augusta,” he said. “I haven’t ever lived in the country so I’m looking forward to learning about country policing.”
In addition to both metropolitan and country postings, SAPOL offer more than 40 career options – including working as a police officer, protective security officer, community constable and in administration or support roles – so if you are interested in join our team visit the website: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/join-us
Today’s graduation ceremony acknowledges the effort and dedication of recruits over the last 12 months, which is the first year of their Constable Development Program.
At the academy, they combine lessons in law, investigations and procedure with operational safety, firearms and basic driver training.
Following graduation from the academy, they begin a 16 to 18-month probationary period that aims to build on the skills they’ve developed and to provide valuable in-field experience.
