After nine months of demanding training 22 new police officers graduated today from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy.
Course 72 graduates bring diverse work experience to their new roles, including in retail, childcare, traffic control, administration, hospitality, project management, and as a business owner. Others have transferrable skills from Australian Border Force, Victoria Police, corrections, and as a Police Security Officer.
Ranging in age from 18 to 40, the new police officers – 13 men and nine women – offer a variety of backgrounds including Italian, Iraqi, English, Persian, German, and Indigenous Australian.
Most Course 72 members attended the fundraising Pink and Blue Swim in February and made lifesaving blood donations as part of ongoing team bonding experiences.
Vanessa was previously due to graduate last year when she discovered some exciting news.
“I found out I was pregnant at the start of Phase 5 in 2023 and had my little girl in January this year,” she said.
“I came back to the academy to finish my last phase while juggling studying and motherhood all at once, which was quite hard at times, but I gave it my absolute best and performed a lot better academically than I did last year.”
Prior to joining SAPOL, Vanessa was an underground miner for five years. She was also born in Germany and moved to Adelaide at 16 years old.
“I believe mining made me a stronger and more resilient person, especially working in hot and dirty conditions while a lot of the time pushing myself to my absolute limits,” she added.
“If you think policing is something you will enjoy but you’re still unsure how to go about applying, attend a recruitment seminar where you can ask lots of questions.”
Fellow graduate Rebecca is no stranger to juggling police study with mum life, completing the Constable Development Program while raising two children under eight.
She played soccer for more than 20 years which developed her teamwork skills and adaptability.
“Policing appealed to me due to my desire to serve and protect the community, along with making a positive impact to society,” she said.
“I have always had an interest in justice and upholding the law to ensure fairness for all. Most of all, I am keen to be challenged as I explore the different career pathways available whilst in my probationary period.
“Further, finding a balance between study and a young family was crucial. Organising study and family schedules and setting clear priorities ensured effective management of the time I had available to devote to academic responsibilities.”
Country recruit Georgia is eager to return to Port Augusta to begin her policing career.
“This is exciting for me as it is my hometown and this posting allows me to be a part of country policing,” she said.
“I have changed as a person since joining as a cadet. I think my personal drive and resilience has grown dramatically. I have also further developed key communication skills when interacting with various members of the community. I think my confidence in my decision making has grown as well.”
Georgia encouraged anyone thinking about becoming a police officer or Police Security Officer to ensure they can commit to study.
“Understanding what a good work-life balance looks like is important, as it is necessary to have support externally from the academy and colleagues,” she added.
“I would also highlight the importance of maintaining your fitness or kick starting that journey as early as possible, as this is a key component of the training.”
Course 72 members will be stationed at metropolitan and regional areas, including Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Mount Gambier.
SAPOL is currently recruiting and is keen to hear from people interested in an inspiring career with unmatched experiences and rewards.
If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit
Rebecca, Georgia, and Vanessa are among 22 new police officers to graduate today from the South Australia Police Academy.
