SA Police is proud to announce that the winner of the 2021 Police Officer of the Year is Senior Constable First Class Michael Klose. Police Officer of the Year is an annual award presented by the Rotary Club of Unley.
Since its inception in 1978, the annual South Australia Police Officer of the Year award has sought to acknowledge those police officers who; in the eyes of the community, have demonstrated exemplary courtesy, courage, kindness, understanding, compassion and devotion to duty.
Today’s award was announced and presented by the Rotary Club of Unley’s President Nathan White and District Governor of District 9510 Jeff Neale.
A number of individuals and organisations nominated Senior Constable Klose for the award including Law Enforcement Torch Run SA, South Australian Police Motorcycle Club – along with current and former members of SAPOL.
Senior Constable Klose joined SAPOL in 1986 and then went on to work in patrols in a number of areas. This included 11 years with Para Hills patrols followed by 11 years in the Port Adelaide area before moving to Adelaide. He then conducted bicycle patrols and then went onto working in the area of public transport safety for the last 9 years.
For the past 21 years, in addition to his operational duties, he has made an outstanding contribution to the development and deployment of police bicycle patrols. His efforts have been integral to enabling SAPOL to respond to a range of policing tasks where the use of bicycle patrols is significantly more advantageous than other forms of policing. He has continually updated his knowledge and skills in this area and has ensured the contemporary integration of bicycle patrols into general policing activities.
His dedicated work and his role as a corporate supervisor for bicycle patrols has ensured that SAPOL provides a highly visible bicycle patrol presence at a range of community events including the Christmas Pageant, Adelaide 500 and the Royal Adelaide Show. The use of bicycle patrols at events provides a unique level of mobility for officers and a valuable opportunity for positive interaction with the community.
He has also provided a long-term commitment to cycling events within South Australia, in particular the Tour Down Under and SAPOL’s Ride Like Crazy charity event. He has played a significant role in providing expert advice to organisers and planners through his local knowledge, excellent understanding of traffic management and logistical aid to deploying bicycle patrols.
It is recognised that SAPOL’s successful integration of bicycle patrols into general police activities is largely due to the high level of commitment of Senior Constable Klose.
He has also been prominently involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and the annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance.
Further adding to these achievements, Senior Constable Klose was awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Speaking of receiving the Police Officer of the Year award, Senior Constable Klose has said that he has felt fortunate to be doing what he loves and seeing the rewards of it in local communities.
“I have been very fortunate to live my dream of being a police officer, being involved in the community and having the ability to make a difference is a wonderful reward. Police officers often see the worst of what occurs in the community, but it is important to remember and focus on the good in the community.
I revel in the opportunity of managing Blue Light Camps, supporting the athletes and families of Special Olympics, being involved in charity and community events and managing and coordinating teams at major events. I also have had many opportunities to be involved in helping communities recover following natural disasters, terrible accidents and traumatic events. It has been a great thrill watching others succeed and progress through tough times when given just a little bit of direction and support.
I have had some awesome support and been given wonderful advice and direction by peers and supervisors alike and I hope I can do the same for others as they pursue their careers,” said Senior Constable Klose.
A ceremony was held earlier today where Senior Constable Klose was awarded the honourable title.
Image above: Senior Constable First Class Mick Klose
