CAREER OPTIONS: Horsham constables Tim Crick and Mick O'Dwyer were born in the Wimmera. They encourage people in the region to join the force because of its wide range of career opportunities: PICTURE: PAUL CARRACHER.
WIMMERA police have launched a recruitment drive and aim to attract nine new members to the force. Journalist CAROLINE TANG profiles two Horsham police officers who grew up in the Wimmera and returned to the region as policemen.
CONSTABLES Mick O'Dwyer and Tim Crick graduated from the Victoria Police Academy in April last year and now work in the uniformed section of Horsham Police Station.
Dimboola-born Const O'Dwyer had a business in Mildura before he became a policeman. He was inspired to join because of family members in the force.
"Policing was something I had wanted to try," Const O'Dwyer said.
"Then I had a family and felt the time was right.
"I really enjoy my work. I hope to have a long career in policing. I like having the chance to help people.
"I hope to join the crime investigation unit and become a sergeant in future."
Const O'Dwyer said country policing offered a wide range of experiences.
"From a professional point of view you get the opportunity to investigate crime from start to finish," he said.
"Whereas in the city you're the first responder and then pass the matter on to someone else. So in the country you can hone your skills and get a far better feel for police work generally.
"If people are considering policing as a career, they should speak to a member at their nearest police station to get an idea of what police do. There are lots of different avenues to explore."
Natimuk-born Const Crick grew up at Goroke and worked for agriculture business Elders for about six years in South Australia before joining the force.
He said policing was a career he had wanted to pursue.
"I wanted the country lifestyle," Const Crick said.
"I'm not a city person.
"Being back in Horsham I'm close to family and friends. I get to work with a great bunch of people here."
Const Crick said he was unsure about where he wanted to go with his policing career, but he liked the variety of the work.
"I like the flexibility and the different options available," he said.
"I would say to people who are considering a career in policing, that the job offers something different every day.
"You don't what you will be doing, so that's a good thing.