Secret life of police

Editorial: Danielle Ford

When Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnson isn’t in uniform, you’ll most likely find him on a stage.

From Oklahoma and Jesus Christ Superstar to Hair and Rock of Ages, the Sunbury Youth Resource Officer (YRO) has a wide range of stage experience as a member of Altona City Theatre, an amateur musical theatre group in Melbourne’s west.

Having first been bitten by the theatre bug when he was in high school, Ldg Sen Const Johnson has been performing in amateur theatre around Melbourne and regional Victoria since finishing high school in the 1980s.

“Back in the day, I started out as a bass player of average ability and didn’t mind singing a few tunes,” Ldg Sen Const Johnson said.

“I always enjoyed musicals and when I left school I tried my hand at my first show called Godspell and was hooked.

“It was a great group of people I was performing with and I loved performing for an audience – I’ve been doing shows on and off ever since.”

Today, the Sunbury YRO has about 70 shows under his belt and said performing on stage helps keep balance and wellbeing in his life.

Ldg Sen Const Leigh Johnson centre stage as part of his theatre group’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

“I’m a firm believer in balancing life and finding pursuits that are good for your wellbeing,” he said.

“I’ve found during my more than 30-year career with Victoria Police that theatre has been a wonderful balance between work, family and life.

“It gives me the opportunity to work and perform with people from all walks of life, whether they are a teacher, student, doctor or tradie, we all come together to put on this show and have some fun.”

Of all the shows he has done, there is one that stands out above all else.

“I once did a show, Age of Aquarius, where my whole family was in the show together and it was the best show I’ve been a part of,” Ldg Sen Const Johnson said.