My life as a police officer by Constable Julia Kingston
I grew up…
In a small country town in the South East of Tassie. Our family had a small farm running cattle for beef. My family are Tasmanian Aboriginal, and my culture has always been important to me. Some of my best childhood memories were of camping trips and other cultural field trips spent in the bush or by the coast.
My first job…
While still at school I worked for my mother and step-father who owned the local bakery. I then started my first career in tourism when I was 17, working at a major tourist attraction for 11 years.
I left school…
I finished year 11 at Elizabeth College and I went on to study tourism at Drysdale. When I finished my study, I took some leave from my job and travelled all over Australia in my four-wheel drive. I worked on a cattle station mustering cattle in the Northern Territory, before coming home.
I knew I wanted to be a police officer…
I had always been quite unfit as a young person, so I made some lifestyle changes and worked really hard to give myself a better quality of life. Once I had achieved my fitness goals, I realised I had opportunities I never had before. I heard that Tasmania Police were recruiting, and I thought policing would be exciting, challenging and give me good reason to keep my health and fitness on track. Being involved in community was very important to me and I felt that policing would be a way I could continue to be involved but from a different aspect.
The night before I started my Academy training…
I was excited, but very nervous. I remember going to bed really early, just hoping I would fall asleep so the morning would come quicker.
On my first day as a police officer…
Surprisingly I was not nervous at all for my first day on the Hobart watch. I was keen to get out there and start my new career that I had worked so hard for. I did manage to get lost in the station, but I didn’t tell anyone that!
My service history so far…
I trained at the police academy for 31 weeks and graduated to the Hobart watch. I am currently still on probation at Hobart.
I currently…
I am working on the foundations of being a Constable and getting used to what it really means to be a police officer. I am waiting for a secondment in other areas to become available so I can broaden my experiences and knowledge.
My typical day…
Starts with a team meeting to discuss any outstanding issues we might need to address for that day. I then head out to the communities in and around Hobart, doing a mix of traffic patrol and “walking the beat” which means dealing with people in the shopping and retail areas of the city. A big part of working in Hobart also involves public order management in the streets around the waterfront and nightclub areas.
Where I see myself going…
Because I have grown up and lived in small country towns, country policing is something I am working towards. I don’t want to limit myself though, so I’m keeping my options open and plan to take up any opportunity put to me.
A memorable moment in Tasmania Police…
Not long after I graduated from the academy, the COVID-19 social restrictions came into place in Tasmania. It was unforgettable seeing the streets of Hobart completely empty, with most shops closed. It reminded me of Sunday in Hobart back in the mid 1990’s when nothing was open and no one visited the CBD. I have some amazing photos of the main streets with not a single car or pedestrian to be seen. It’s something that I wouldn’t have experienced if I wasn’t working as a first responder.
A funny moment in the Tasmania Police Service…
I was working one of my first nightshifts in Hobart. I was passenger and my partner and I were patrolling streets in the Sandy Bay area. I thought I saw someone sitting in the driver’s seat of a car parked on the street outside a house. Because it was so late at night, it seemed a bit out of place and I thought maybe someone had just broken into the car. I made my partner turn the car, a little excited about what it could be. As we approached the car it was obvious that It was a teddy bear that had been strapped to the steering wheel to make it look like he was driving. We didn’t stop to ask him for his driver’s licence.
My colleagues in the Tasmania Police Service…
Are my work family. We all understand the stresses of being a police officer and the support within the team is something very different to a normal workplace. My colleagues really make the job as enjoyable as it is. We’re able to have fun, but we all have that ability to switch on and work together to get the job done when needed.
Most difficult part of the job…
Seeing people at their worst and only being able to help them on a relatively small scale. It’s still rewarding to know that my involvement could be a turning point for those people.
Best part of the job…
Turning up every day and doing something different. I used to work a desk job and had the majority of my work planned weeks in advance. Now I turn up to work and don’t know what to expect.
Outside of being a police officer, I…
Love spending time with family and friends. I own a small farm and most of my spare time is spent caring for the animals and plants I grow. Otherwise when the weather is kind, I’m often camping and bush walking.
Being a police officer has helped me…
Stay on track with my fitness and be more confident in everything I do. I always considered myself to be a confident person, but policing reinforced that for me. Every day I have to speak to people from all walks of life who need me to help them. The community expects me to make important decisions and take appropriate action to ensure we are all safe.
Biggest success…
Being awarded the Commander’s Award at the end of my training at the academy. It was such a surprise to receive the award and I will always be honoured to have received it.
I am inspired by…
My mum. Probably something most children say, but she is an amazing lady. I’m pretty sure her courage and community spirit is what made me who I am today. I’m also inspired by anyone that gives up their own time to help others, whether that’s at a personal level or a community level.
An obstacle I’ve had to overcome…
I used to compare myself to other people and be upset if I wasn’t as good at something as someone else. Because of this, I was worried I wouldn’t get through the training at the academy. It wasn’t until about half-way though the course that I realised I had been selected for my own reasons, not because I belonged in a category.
A virtue/quote to live by…
This too shall pass. It’s something that my mother said to me once. When ever I’m stressed about something or having a bad day, I remind myself that this is just a moment in time, and it will pass.
The best advice I can give to a potential female recruit thinking they want to join…
If you have even the slightest interest, go ahead and apply. There is no perfect mould for this job, and that’s what makes it so fantastic. Everyone brings something a little different, and everyone has weaknesses that can become strengths. It’s a career that can take you anywhere and you won’t be disappointed.