“A HUMBLING experience” is how Senior Sergeant First Class Peter Brown has described his Australian Police Medal, which was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on Monday.
Millicent Police officer in charge since 2011, Sen Sgt Brown has spent all but a handful of years of his four decade career “on the beat” in country stations.
His satisfaction with general patrol work has sustained him through postings to Victor Harbor, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Mount Gambier and Peterborough.
In his current role, Sr Sgt Brown also has responsibility for the management of outstations at Beachport, Robe, Kingston, Penola and Kalangadoo and divides his time between administrative and operational duties.
When the official letter from the office of the Governor-General arrived at his home a few weeks ago advising him of the APM, he was pleased that people had thought enough of him to nominate him for the award.
“I have enjoyed working as a police officer in various country communities,” Sr Sgt Brown said.
“It is rewarding to work in smaller communities as you can make a difference in people’s lives.
“On my last day in one of my postings a lady said to me that I had basically handed her life back to her.
“She had been a long-term domestic abuse victim and I had dealt with her and the offender.
“Sometimes police officers don’t realise the positive impact that we have on the lives of people.”
Reflecting on a police career which began in 1976 with academy training in Adelaide, Sr Sgt Brown noted that society, technology and legislation had greatly changed.
He gave the example of the prevalence of the drug commonly known as ice.
“I investigated what had been done at Mildura with community-driven programs to deal with this problem,” he said.
“We were able to stage community information forums in this region.”
Sr Sgt Brown has praised the support he has received from Sgt Rick Errington and the other Millicent officers as well as the police at the out-stations.
“We achieve results because of our teamwork,” he said.
“I take a lot of pride in the achievements of the other officers, such as Beachport’s Peter Phillips, the South Australian Police Officer of the Year.
“It has been a privilege to work with people in the Millicent community like Dawn Williams and Di and Tony Egan from the road safety committee.
“I admire the work they do.
“I have attended a number of difficult jobs in my career.
“It is about helping people in need and at their lowest point.
“It seems to be a privilege to be there and it reinforces why we do the job we do.
“I would recommend policing as a very rewarding career.”
Originally from a dairy farm near Victor Harbor, Sr Sgt Brown has given some thought to retirement, but that is a few years
off.
On behalf of the authority, South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, offered his congratulations to Sr Sgt Brown and two other APM recipients and noted their contribution to policing in South Australia.
“Each of these people has offered exemplary service to the state,” he said.
Formerly known as the Queen’s Police Medal, the APM is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.
The Governor-General awards the accolade on the recommendation of the responsible state minister.
