Wednesday, 8 February 2012 1:40pm
SAPOL cadets ready for duty
The 25 police cadets of Course 5/2011, who stand ready to begin their new careers as Police Officers, shared a defining moment in the history of the South Australia Police today.
They are first group of police cadets to graduate from SAPOL’s new state-of-the-art Police Academy. Today’s graduation ceremony denotes both their oath to serve the community and the formal opening of SAPOL’s $53.4 million training facility.
Cadets throw their hats in the air following the graduation ceremony at the new SA Police Academy today.
The Governor of South Australia Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill and Police Minister Jennifer Rankine took part in today’s official proceeding; and were on hand to wish them the best in their future endeavours.
“As our new officers embark on the next stage of their careers, they take with them the values, expectations and standards forged throughout their time in both the old and new Police Academies,” South Australia Police Commissioner Mal Hyde said.
“The Academy is in many ways the heart and soul of the South Australia Police; it is where friendships are forged and lives are forever changed,” he said.
“It also sets the tone for a police career, establishing standards and culture.”
“We look for and expect the highest standards and we are not disappointed today,” he said.
Probationary Constable Darren Burchell successfully completed the 29-week cadet training course and now is looking forward to his new role as a patrol officer based in the Sturt Local Service Area.
“I am very proud to be part of the first (cadet) Course to graduate from the new Police Academy,” Probationary Constable Burchell said.
“The diversity of possible career paths and specialised areas of investigations is one of the major benefits of being in the police. For now I just want to concentrate on being the best patrol officer that I can be and then see what doors open from there,” he said.
Probationary Constable Kirby Morley who also took part in today’s graduation ceremony agreed: “The training facilities at the new Police Academy provided us with a much more realistic understanding of operational situations faced by police and the vital role police play in the communities they serve,” she said.
This experience and training will assist Probationary Constable Morley when she takes up her first posting as a patrol officer in the Western Adelaide Local Service Area tomorrow.
SAPOL embraces a culture of whole working life training and development; and emphasises the development of leadership potential.
This reflects the constant pace of change faced by both the community and the police.
“Criminal investigations are becoming increasingly complex in nature and can often cross jurisdictions boundaries and areas of expertise,” Commissioner Hyde said.
“We are very proud of our new Academy and the training facilities that position our organisation and our people for the next wave of change,” he said.
For more information about careers at SAPOL visit our recruitment website www.achievemore.com.au .
Photographs from today’s graduation ceremony, official opening and new facilities at the Police Academy are available on the SA Police News Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sapolicenews or SA Police News Twitter site: www.twitter.com/sapolicenews
