Four generation answer the call

By Nicole Williams
A NEW copper with policing in his blood will be on the beat in Dandenong from this week.
Frankston 21-year-old Matthew Caddy became the fourth generation of his family to serve Victoria Police when he graduated from the Victoria Police Academy on Friday.
Proud dad Sergeant Martin Caddy presented Matthew with his police identification badge during the ceremony. Sergeant Caddy has 30 years’ service with Victoria Police under his belt and is currently working with the Operations Response Unit.
Grandfather James (Jim) Caddy was also at the ceremony and worked with Victoria Police for 25 years before his retirement in 1992.
Great-grandfather Charles Thomas De Jersey Caddy was also a Victoria Police member between 1931 and 1946.
Matthew was assigned to Dandenong Police station and said he was keen to get out on the streets.
“Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to become a police officer, and when I started studying science at high school I decided to head towards a career that would eventually incorporate both aspects of science and law,” he said.
“Graduating from the academy is a little surreal, knowing that starting next week you will be out at a station working full-time and attending all the things you have talked about and discussed inside the safety of the academy.
“I am, however, going to really miss all my close friends in my squad who have become family over the past 33 weeks,” Matthew said. “But I cannot wait to start working at Dandenong and being able to attend and assist with all the crimes and incidents around the area.”
Mr Caddy said he and his wife Leanne were very proud of their eldest son’s achievement and in time would like to see Matthew advance to the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU).
“He has a firm understanding of the needs of the community and the role police play within that community,” he said.
“He has grown up in a policing environment, has learnt the attributes of respect for all people, and he will make a fantastic police member.
“I look forward to sharing this experience with him.”