You're looking at me, about 8 years ago now, proudly posing for my warrant card photo. My hair is twice as short as it is now, and the photo shows me clean shaven. I sport a beard now, and am routinely reminded how stupid I looked without one (thanks everyone).

I joined the South Australian Police when I was 21 years old. I joined because I genuinely wanted to help people, and everyone who I mentioned the idea to thought it was a great idea. I was a fine young man and we needed more people like me in the police, I was told. So with those two logical reasons, and a chance encounter with a bunch of drunk academy recruits, I made a decision I look fondly upon today, even though I have since left the job.

As I reveal in my forthcoming interview series, I spent a rather depressing first year of my career in transit police. One of my first partners hated the job, hated me, and hated life. So to cut a long story short, I initially ended up regretting my decision to join the police.

Another 2 years on patrol duties in a metropolitan patrol base was a much better experience, but still nothing like I imagined it would be. I saw myself helping damsels in distress, and slapping criminals in jail for life- making society safe. In an admittedly naieve way, I wanted to "save the world." 

I cut my patrol career short one night when I decided to drown my sorrows at the local pub with some mates (when I was supposed to be off work sick). This stupid and poor conduct resulted in my almost immediate transfer to police communications centre in the centre of Adelaide.

It's funny how total stuff ups can make for fantastic new beginnings, and the next 4 years at police communications (answering emergency telephone calls and dispatching police patrols over radio) were without question the most satisfying and enjoyable of my life. I loved the feeling of helping fellow police officers over the radio- I kept them safe, relayed vital info and organised backup and other resources when they needed it. I even snagged the love of my life through a fellow officer- what more can you ask for!

Despite the overwhelmingly positive experience at police communications centre, I left the police in search of new challenges. It was hard to leave, but I'm glad that I left on such good terms... and not 4 years earlier when I was bitter and angry about my experience. In reality a good portion of those bad experiences I had were my own fault, and my own poor attitude didn't help at all. I miss talking with my fellow police every day, and I really miss the rather sick sense of humour that police bestow on you.

My experience in the police and my current study in small business has led me to another way to exercise my desire to help people. Which people and how? Well, aspiring police of course! Aspiring police, people thinking about a career in the police, people on the fence... people who haven't got any contacts or people they can talk to about a career in law enforcement. Anyone who wants to know more about what life is really like in the police.

I hope to help these deserving people by providing an otherwise unattainable insight into the daily lives of police; so they can decide if such a life and career is a good choice for them.

Policeinsights.com is not my way of "getting back" at the police department. I hold no grudges or anger towards the department. On the contrary, I strongly believe that policing is one of the most noble jobs we can engage in. It's a job like no other that gives you experiences that blow your mind and sicken you, make you question yourself and question society, and of course... excite you more than any job (save maybe military personnel in a warzone!).

So... if you or someone you care about is interested in joining the ranks of the noble profession of law enforcement, please, read my blog, gain insight through a free interview with a serving police officer, and learn all about what day to day life is really like in the police department.