Pippa's journey from police officer to healing hands

Former police officer Pippa Hanson talks to Sarah Halfpenny about being awarded the National Police Service Medal, recognising 15 years of ethical and diligent service as a sworn member of an Australian police service.

How did it feel to receive such a prestigious award?

I joined to serve and protect, so when they have these awards for the recognition of ongoing ethical and diligent service, it made me feel very proud. I really did love my career in policing.

How long was your career?

Just shy of 18 years. I went into the academy in November 1993 and left in 2011. I spent 10 years in general duties between Caulfield, Melbourne and Frankston, and I got a detective role in Lilydale. I came back to Frankston and worked general crime as a detective, then sex offences and child abuse at the pilot project when it first started.

What inspired you to join the police force?

I always read crime books and watched crime shows on TV. My grandad was a magistrate in England. I just really like the thrill of the chase. I always knew I wanted to be a detective when I joined. I like that side of policing – having to use your brain problem-solving crimes and getting a good result for people in the community.

What were some of the challenges you faced?

I was young when I joined. I turned 21 in the police force and I had a very ‘vanilla’ upbringing – I'm from a good family, went to school, got fed, those sorts of things. So very early on it was hard seeing a world that I had no idea existed apart from on TV. You think that's all made up, but unfortunately it's not. And then later on when you go to fatalities . . . that was really hard.

How do you think your experiences in policing have shaped you as a person?

It definitely shaped me in a big way. I’ve had so much experience with dealing in what is out there in life. It also shaped the success of our business – The Sports Injury Clinic – because of things I've learnt and seen in policing and the way people are treated and not treated both internally and externally. I think I'm very empathetic as a result, realising that not everyone has the opportunity of having such a good, easy, happy childhood and upbringing. I certainly don't take that for granted.

What advice do you have for anyone who might be considering a career in the police force?

I’d be fully supportive. We've got three kids and if they said they wanted to join the police force we'd have no hesitation at all in saying go for it. There are so many opportunities. It is very diverse and secure in terms of you're not going to lose your job. It's a fabulous organisation.

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful police officer?

You've got to be open-minded, empathetic and have a thick skin. You need to work out what your role is and try to separate that from the emotional side. You have a job to do and there

are other resources and organisations around that can help victims. You also need to be vulnerable and open to sharing if you're having trouble with some stuff you've seen or heard at work.

What does it mean to you to be recognised for 15 years of ethical and diligent service?

It's nice to know there are still things you're valued for. You don't go looking for a pat on the back, but it's nice to know there is appreciation for the time you spent and the long hours and some of the things you've faced.