‘Balance for Better’ is the 2019 theme for International Women’s Day, and balance is something Christie Argent knows a thing or two about!
Along with her husband Dan, Detective Sergeant Argent parents 10 children, works full time and manages to find some time for study along the way.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day on March 8, she spoke with the Sunday Mail about her family, achieving balance, and the modern face of policing.
The blended family brings together Christie’s two children, her husband’s three, and five fostered siblings, who range in age from 22-year-old twins to a three-year-old.
She admits this was not what she imagined her life would look like when she joined the South Australia Police at the age of 21.
Her first posting was to Whyalla, spending more than a decade there, learning her craft and beginning a career path in the area of family violence and child abuse.
A solo mother with two children under 10 when she began her training as a Detective, she had to attend a month-long course in Adelaide which was only possible because of support from family.
Her move back to Adelaide to be closer to that family support followed, and she also met husband Dan, who at that time was in the Army, but has since also joined SAPOL.
“My children have grown up with me being a police officer, so they have never known it to be any different,” she said.
“I have great support … everything is scheduled,” she laughs when asked how she juggles family, work, study and general life. “I have a fridge that is one big timetable with everyone’s commitments – if it’s not written down, I can’t factor it in.
“SAPOL have been very good too – when I first utilised flexible working arrangements it was very new in SAPOL but I never experienced any issues with SAPOL management.
“Obviously they’ve come along in leaps and bounds now – there’s a huge variety of options that people can chose from or negotiate. I think it’s a great place for anyone trying to balance family life and working commitments.
“If you’re prepared to work hard and you’re resilient, I don’t think you’ll have too many issues (in the police).
“I think people would be surprised at the work we actually do, compared with what they think we do.
“I think the general public would be mortified if they had an understanding of how violent people can be to each other … to elderly people, the disabled and young people … most would be devastated.”
Her background of working in the family violence area creates a sense of appreciation for the family she has, while also making her parenting style a little stricter than some.
“I didn’t have a maternal bone in my body prior to having my eldest, so to be responsible for 10 cherubs is not something I ever imagined.
“The best thing about a large family is there is always something happening – love and laughter – but on the flip side there are problems and issues too!”
She acknowledges that to achieve a family-work balance involves working hard, planning and discipline.
“There have been times that I have been up at 4am to finish off work or an assignment – you do have to work hard, you do have to be determined, but it is absolutely achievable if you do want it.
On Friday, as hundreds of people gather at the Adelaide Convention Centre to acknowledge International Women’s Day, Detective Sergeant Argent will be at work continuing to seek balance between her family and career.
“I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything – I have a career that I’m really appreciative of and happy about … and I’ve balanced it.”
The Adelaide breakfast is the largest event celebrating International Women’s Day in Australia.
If you think a career in SA Police might be for you check out the recruiting details here: ; plus for more information about International Women’s Day visit
