A MOUNT Gambier police officer has been named Rotary Club of Unley’s South Australian police officer of the year.
Previously posted as the officer in charge of the Beachport Police Station, Brevet Sergeant Peter Phillips was recognised for his contribution to the local community, particularly working in his own time to develop the Beachport Surf Lifesaving Club.
While Sgt Phillips accepted the award in Adelaide on Friday, he said it was a reflection of a combined effort from the Beachport community.
“Working with the Beachport District Development Association and the Beachport Lions club, we were able to create an ambitious idea and put it into reality by establishing South Australia’s 21st surf lifesaving club,” Sgt Phillips said.
“We formed a steering committee containing passionate members of the community and they have done a huge job ensuring the success of the club.”
The club has progressed to the point where Sgt Phillips is hopeful in the 2017/18 season they will have a fully patrolled beach in Beachport.
“Our next step is working with the Wattle Range Council and Surf Life Saving SA in establishing a patrol base located at the Surf Beach at Beachport,” Sgt Phillips said.
“Regardless of the timeframe, our aim is to have a patrolled beach this coming season of 2017/18.”
Working in the town since 2013, Sgt Phillips said it was important when he arrived to find an outlet outside of his work where he could make a difference.
“I needed to channel energy that was slightly out of my work realm and to be able to put that energy into something I have always loved, which is surf life saving – it was a win-win for me,” he said.
“The Beachport community has a very strong sense of pride within itself and volunteering is a normalised part of life there, which made it easy to integrate myself.”
Formerly posted in Transit Police and Holden Hill patrols, the intelligence section and the Criminal Investigation Branch over the past 11 years, Sgt Phillips said he was fortunate enough to work with a number of fantastic people within SAPOL.
“To win this community award, I was able to spend more time and inject myself in the community because of the role I was in, whereas different roles within SAPOL make it much more difficult,” Sgt Phillips said.
“I would like to recognise all the other great work other police officers are doing as well that might not be formally recognised.”
Limestone Coast Police acting officer in charge Superintendent Damian Powell said Sgt Phillips should be honoured to receive the “prestigious award”.
“To win an award like this you have to be actively involved in the community,” Supt Powell said.
“It is such an essential part of regional policing and this award is a great reflection on Sgt Phillips, but also reflects well on Mount Gambier and the wider Limestone Coast.”
