THE new face at the Millicent police station has a good grounding in police matters and a variety of life experiences.
During her 17 years in uniform, Senior Constable First Class Amber May has served “on the beat” in the Adelaide metropolitan area as well as the communications branch in the capital city.
After school, her early life was spent studying at university in Adelaide and then she raised a family.
“I like to help the community,” is the motivation for Sr Cst May being a police officer.
“I have always wanted to work in the country.”
An opportunity arose earlier this year to join the staff at the George Street station.
After four decades in either a Royal Australian Air Force or police uniform, Cst Mark Patton retired creating a vacancy.
With the appointment of Sr Cst May, the Millicent Police Station now has a record – four female police officers.
Sr Csts Tanya Payne, Jonty Gray and Carole Grimes are the others.
The first male police officer was appointed to Millicent in 1874 but it took a further 111 years before a female officer took up a role at the George Street station.
Cst Cathy Mason was the first in the role just over 32 years ago on April 26, 1985.
A further 20 female officers have followed her in the past three decades.
No female has yet to be appointed as a sergeant or a detective at Millicent police and nor has there ever been a female superintendent or inspector overseeing the South East police region.
