SAPOL opens recruitment to Limestone Coast locals in pop-up Mount Gambier testing centre
If you live in the South-East and have thought about working as a police officer – but live too far from Adelaide – we have news for you.
Mount Gambier
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AJ Gardsenni knows what it’s like to have to work as a country copper – you already have a connection with the people around.
And Superintendent Cheryl Brown says it’s more like working with a wider emergency services family.
SAPOL is hosting a regional policing assessment centre at Mount Gambier this month, giving Limestone Coast residents the opportunity to test and train without having to travel excessive distances or take multiple days to weeks off work.
From March 12-14, interested individuals will be able to access official information and testing from SAPOL to kickstart their journey into becoming a police officer.
Mount Gambier police officer, Probationary Constable Anja ‘AJ’ Gardsenni, 34, knows all about how rewarding it can be to police within the same community you grew up in.
She grew up in Mount Gambier and worked as a nurse before she graduated from the Police Academy in 2023 and was posted directly to the Mount.
“There’s so many benefits to policing in your hometown,” Constable Gardsenni said.
“It’s great because you already have a connection, and trust with the local community.
“This kind of regional recruiting wasn’t around when I got started so I had to go the more traditional route of going to Adelaide but I think this option is a really good idea.”
Superintendent Cheryl Brown, who has worked for SAPOL for nearly 36 years, said regional policing was a completely different experience to policing in metro areas.
“It’s delightful working out here – the tight connections and relationships you make with both the community and other emergency service workers are very special, it’s like working as one big unit rather than multiple separate ones.”
Superintendent Brown said the hosting of these regional assessment centres means “no one has to make a big life change” while pursuing their dreams.
“It means people don’t need to uproot their lives and their families live and leave behind the community they grew up in.
“A lot of country people like to stay in the community they grew up in, keep playing for the same football and netball clubs they always have and this program gives people the ability to do that.”
The assessment centre allows locals to ask questions about applying and complete testing without having to travel, SAPOL Executive Director People, Culture and Wellbeing Kim-Sherie Summers said.
It cuts the travel expenses regional applicants are usually faced with.
Ms Summers said fewer than 10 per cent of SAPOL applicants came from regional areas.
“People from the country are fabulous and we know they often like to go back to the country to police,” she said.
Successful applicants may be eligible for a cost-of-living allowance and access to onsite academy accommodation for their nine-month training.
“SAPOL wants to recruit from the country for the country, so we’re making every effort to attract and train regional members to undertake country postings and be paid to enjoy a tranquil lifestyle,” Manager of Talent Acquisition, Inspector Christie Matthews said.
“Policing in your local area comes with fantastic perks, including serving your community directly, achieving a better work-life balance, and unlocking career advancement prospects.”
The Mount Gambier Assessment Centre is set to commence Tuesday March 12, 2024 and the itinerary is as follows:
Tuesday 12 March
- TAFE testing between 9am – 12pm, followed by an Information Seminar between 4 – 5pm, both at Mt Gambier TAFE campus, where attendees may ask questions about the application process, and find out more about a policing career.
Wednesday 13 March
- Interviews at Mt Gambier TAFE campus, to be conducted by SAPOL staff.
Thursday 14 March
- Interviews and fitness testing at Mt Gambier TAFE campus.
People are encouraged to register their interest in attending by visiting sapol.info/Seminar
A similar assessment centre is currently being considered for Berri, in South Australia’s Riverland, later this year.
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