Weeks of comprehensive training have paid off for 11 new Police Security Officers (PSO) who today graduated from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy.
Ranging in age from 19 to 39, 10 men and one woman have been welcomed into the blue family and share a desire to help the community.
Course 3 graduates bring a variety of work experience to the role, including in retail, fitness, healthcare, labour, HR, customer service, and childcare.
Former flight attendant, Marcio, was living in Dubai when his journey towards a new SAPOL career began.
"I was working as a flight attendant for an airline up to June 2023. I met my wife, who is from Adelaide, in 2014 while doing our flight attendant training course," he said.
"We got married and welcomed our baby boy in 2022 and decided that it was time to retire our wings and the nonstop flight attendant lifestyle to give full attention to our growing family.
"I feel very lucky to have travelled the whole world and met so many people of diverse cultures and backgrounds."
Australia is the fourth continent Marcio has lived in during the past 14 years.
"I lived in Dublin, Ireland in 2010/11. I was back in Brazil in 2012/13, and from 2014 to 2023 I was in Dubai and now Australia for the foreseeable future," he explained.
"Throughout my time at SAPOL's academy I have become more aware of things happening around me and more situationally aware now. My active listening skills have improved.
"I am really excited to graduate and start doing the job I have been training so hard for. I will likely be posted to the Police Security Services Branch where I will work across many important government sites and on metro patrols."
Fellow graduate, Libby, was working as a childcare educator and playing SANFLW before joining SAPOL.
"Learning to communicate with children and their families has helped my communication skills throughout the academy," she said.
"I'm excited to work in the variety of roles the Police Security Services Branch has to offer, including custody management, school patrols, and getting to communicate with the community daily.
"Throughout my time at the academy, participating in the Operational Safety Training Exercises (OSTT) was one of the most memorable experiences."
Libby plans to undertake SAPOL's Constable Development Program in the future, after seeing how far she can go in the PSO role.
Both graduates encouraged anyone thinking about a new career to consider joining SAPOL.
"It's like joining a tight-knit family," Marcio said.
"I really get that welcoming feeling every time I bump into a PSO in the corridors of the police academy."
Libby similarly felt accepted and supported throughout her training.
"Everyone in our course had their strengths and weaknesses and as a group we were able to work together to help everyone graduate, backed by our mentors," she added.
If you're looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore - Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)
Marcio and Libby are among 11 new Police Security Officers to graduate today from the South Australia Police Academy.
