Our local area is served by the Drayton Police Station and one of their newest officers is Constable Sam Crumblin.

Closing in on age 40, Sam is older than your typical police graduate, however brings lots of life experience and perspectives to the table.

He graduated from the police academy in Brisbane in June last year and was stationed at Drayton, where he has been serving since.

“I really, really love this job,” Sam said.

“I’ve done numerous things in my life but this ticks all my boxes.

“There’s variety, working with a team and getting to do meaningful work.”

Before his change of profession, Sam had worked in the coal mining, construction and equine industries.

He also has had extensive experience in emergency services, having been an auxiliary firefighter at Millmerran for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and a temp firefighter at the Anzac Avenue station as well.

With his wife and children, Sam lives at Millmerran where he moved 16 years ago.

Upon graduating from the police academy Sam said he could have been sent to anyone in the Darling Downs or South West so he was happy to be stationed within driving distance.

Sam loved being a firefighter, however a few years ago his job at a coal mine would no longer allow him to continue in both roles as the mining company didn’t value the importance of his firefighting duties.

His passion for helping people never faded away and when the opportunity to apply to join the police arose he went for it.

Sam said the importance of helping others has always been a part of his life.

“Helping people was instilled in me from a very young age.

“I have three brothers around the same age and we were taught to help others when you can and a strong sense of right and wrong.” 

As well as looking after people who need support, Sam said as a police officer it is also important to hold people accountable for their actions.

Less than a year into the job, he has dealt with a wide array of people and circumstances, from many of the lovely members of the local community to some of the more unsavoury types with whom police are tasked to deal.

Sam said a regular highlight is when ordering from Sayller’s Brew café at Hodgson Vale, as the staff are very friendly and respectful to those in uniform.

“Those girls are lovely,” he said.

Although it is up to the powers that be, Sam said he would love to continue at Drayton.

“I really hope to stay in the area,” he said.

In addition to the south-eastern portion of Toowoomba, the Drayton Division covers Westbrook, Wyreema, Hodgson Vale and surrounding rural areas.

As the Cambooya Division, which includes Greenmount and East Greenmount, only has one police officer stationed there, the eight or so Drayton officers also are regularly called out to those communities as well. 

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 6 February 2025.