Our fair cop

By Lia Bichel
“PEOPLE were dying and people were killing,” Matthew Chuol said.
“Life (in Sudan) was hard … I never dreamt I would one day be in Australia.”
Mr Chuol fled from war-town Sudan to Kenya 10 years ago, where he spent five years in a refugee camp before migrating to Australia.
The 31-year old now calls Noble Park home and is halfway to fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a police officer.
“I knew when I was coming to Australia that if there was a chance for me to become a police officer I would take it.”
Mr Chuol enrolled in an Advanced Diploma of Justice at Holmesglen TAFE and as part of his course requirements, registered for a two-week placement at Springvale Police Station.
He is now nearing the end of the placement, where he has immersed himself in police culture, accompanying the Traffic Management Unit on the road, observing general duties, and sitting in on interviews, inquiries, and court room hearings. Mr Chuol said he wanted to become a police officer at the end of the year, when he completed his two-year course.
“It’s very important for people from diverse backgrounds to join Victoria Police as it would help emerging communities understand how they work,” he said.
“It would also be easier for Victoria Police to work with different cultures in the community when they get people from different countries working with them.”
Mr Chuol said that regardless of race, there were people who did good things and people who did bad things, and said he hoped crime would decrease with the implementation of sporting and educational programs.
“Giving people sports might help, or proving a better opportunity for learning for people whose first language isn’t English,” he said
“It seems people not working or studying might start committing crimes – because it stems from boredom.”
Springvale Senior Sergeant Bernie Kaminski said Mr Chuol was leaving a good impression at the station, with a number of members offering to show him the ropes.
Sen Sgt Kaminski said he was unaware of any Sudanese police officers in Victoria and said he was sure that if Mr Chuol was successful in joining the force, he would help strengthen relations between the Sudanese community and police.
“A small percentage of the problems are actually caused by the Sudanese community, but there are many Sudanese people in the area – it’s very multi-cultural,” he said.
“If Matthew joins the force, it’s helping to break down any barriers. It’s just one more step forward for police.”