Emily Wan, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times
For country cop Constable Bailey Edgerton there’s no greater reward than making a difference in the community where you live.
“I feel that special connection with my locals, because they’re the same people I come across on the job and at community functions, and that helps me build trust and rapport with them,” Const Edgerton said.
“There have been occasions when I’ve run into individuals known to police while off duty, but they’re generally respectful and don’t cause any issues.”
Born and raised in Horsram, Const Edgerton knows the town inside out, and was eager to return home to his friends and family once he finished his Victoria Police Academy training in Melbourne.
A career with Victoria Police wasn’t on Const Edgerton’s mind when he finished his criminology degree He found himself asking: ‘Where to from here?’. It was the lure of a “fun” and “exciting” job that eventually led him to policing
With recruits now able to nominate a country location to work in upon graduation from the Academy, Const Edgerton said it was the perfect opportunity to return to his country roots after a few years away studying and for work.
Although he didn’t live on site at the Academy, he did make “lifelong friends” with his squad mates. Some of them have followed his lead into country policing, taking positions in Wonthaggi, Bendigo, and Ballarat.
More than six months into the job, Const Edgerton has quickly learnt being a country cop means thinking on your feet and being resourceful.
“One aspect I really enjoy about country policing is getting to work alongside various specialist units, such as the Crime Investigation Unit, Family Violence Investigation Unit, and Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.”
Job security and working close to home are important career considerations, and Victoria Police can provide these to its police officers.
Const Edgerton encourages anyone interested in a policing career to speak to local officers about what the job involves and familiarise yourself with the recruitment process.
“Reflecting on my career journey, I definitely made the right choice coming home to work.”
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 19 June 2024.
