Today marks a special day for the 22 police officers of Course 53 who graduated at the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy.
The course is comprised of a diverse group with members ranging in age from 18 and 34 years. Prior to joining SAPOL, the recruits had experience working in a range of different industries including retail, hospitality, banking, construction, mining, events and fitness.
The graduates will be posted to a range of locations including six members who will be going to country areas including Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Whyalla.
One graduate is Scott who previously worked for four years supporting families as a funeral director.
Scott has been involved as a cadet with SA Country Fire Service and has volunteered for a number of charities. He walked 42 km as part of this year’s Walk for a Veteran event raising awareness of the mental and physical health issues that face emergency services and military veterans. Scott also played club soccer, football and American football throughout his childhood into adulthood.
While growing up, Scott saw how police helped in the community and wanted to be part of it. He was attracted to the variety that a police officer role brings and the different career pathways available.
“I have had aspirations to be a police officer since I was a child. I witnessed how much SAPOL help the community and wanted to be a part of that. I like the variety in the job and all the different career pathways that SAPOL has to offer,” said Scott.
Scott is excited to be graduating today and putting his studies to practice on the road. He has forged some great friendships at the Police Academy and enjoyed the opportunity to learn from his mentors and trainers.
Scott will be posted to Southern District and hopes to work in the Major Crime Investigation Branch in the future.
Another graduate from today is Cassidy, who joins SAPOL having eight years of retail supermarket experience, three years of sports coaching and six years of football field umpiring. Cassidy also has a Bachelor of Human Movement.
Cassidy chose a policing career so she could have a positive impact and make a difference to people’s lives and communities.
Like Scott, Cassidy is thrilled to graduate today and reach the final milestone as she embarks on a career with SAPOL. Cassidy found the course physically and mentally challenging, but also an extremely memorable and rewarding experience.
“With guidance from course members and academy staff I have seen huge personal and professional development in the making of me becoming a police officer,” said Cassidy.
Cassidy will be posted to Northern District where she hopes to be a valuable member of the general duties response team gaining exposure to a variety of jobs. Cassidy has future aspirations to join the STAR Operations Section.
SAPOL is currently recruiting for police officers and is calling for people who see themselves as community leaders, confident problem solvers, champions of change, high flyers, adventurer, fitness fans and champions of change to consider joining the 6500 strong workforce at SAPOL.
To make the application process easier, SAPOL has implemented a range of initiatives – including the transition to an online application process and covering the cost of the SAPOL TAFE recruitment test (for a limited time only).
If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities please visit
