Policing was not something Acting Senior Constable Laurie Bateman of Charleville Police Station would ever have considered earlier in his career.
The Kamilaroi man and third generation sheep shearer grew up in the small town of Bollon, 180km east of Cunnamulla, where his family still runs a shearing operation.
After 26 years of shearing-and a Guinness World Record-he began training young people who were struggling at high school the art of shearing and discovered a passion for helping others.
He realised he had something to give back to his community, so when a job came up as a Police Liaison Officer (PLO) in Cunnamulla, he applied and was successful.
Acting Senior Constable Bateman worked as a PLO for four years and loved having the opportunity to engage with youth all throughout the district.
He found that being a First Nations man enabled him to connect with other First Nations community members and there were many opportunities to make a positive impact.
Acting Senior Constable Bateman recalls an example in which he was able to make a strong connection with a young man who had reached a crisis point in his life and was threatening self-harm.
He worked with other officers over many hours to bring him to safety, and has since witnessed the man make positive changes and turn his life around.
Around three years ago, he decided to further his career in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and become a sworn police officer.
He said it was a challenge to take the next step, but there were plenty of people around to help him.
"I loved being a PLO, but becoming a sworn police officer gave me the opportunity to learn more," Acting Senior Constable Bateman said.
"I started off by doing the three-month Indigenous Recruit Preparation Program, which was great, and then I was able to get into the Police Recruit Program which ran for six months."
He said it was important to have more First Nations members in the QPS, either as PLOs or as police officers, to act as positive role models for their communities.
"In either role you are going to be helping people, and for me that's what it's all about," Acting Senior Constable Bateman said.
The QPS is looking for applicants with diverse backgrounds and life experiences who are seeking purpose, direction and meaning from their careers.
Police officers aren't born, they're made, with every challenge or adversity overcome, and their personal values, helping to shape them into great officers who can make a real difference.
There is no better time to join. Visit policerecruit.com.au to check your eligibility.
