Mining his opportunities

Editorial: Emily Wan

Photography: Stephanie Clark

Acting Senior Sergeant Julian Tang can’t help but laugh when he thinks about how differently his career could have turned out.

Despite studying business at university and pursuing basic training in the Australian Army Reserve, policing was always on his mind.

Being part of the Army Reserve put him in contact with Victoria Police officers who also serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and provided him a chance to start asking questions about a policing career.

When weighing up whether to join the ADF full time, a fellow Army Reservist and Victoria Police officer had some pointed words for A/Sen Sgt Tang.

He remembers the officer saying “Why would you do that? You only really get deployed by the Army when there's either a natural disaster or a wartime situation, whereas if you join Victoria Police your abilities get tested every day”.

But it wasn’t meant to be at that point. With a business degree in supply chain and logistics, he accepted a prestigious place in mining giant Orica’s graduate program.

But after seven years working for Orica, he began to ask himself “is there a job out there that better aligns with my personal values and where I can do more good?”.

Also on the cards was a move to Orica’s head office in Singapore, which didn’t hold much appeal.

He decided it was time to go in search of a more fulfilling, community-minded career.

“As an Army Reservist I had the chance to work side-by-side with Victoria Police during the 2009 Victorian Bushfire relief efforts and observe the impact the organisation has on the community,” A/Sen Sgt Tang said.

He recalls when he and a senior constable were patrolling Strathewen and came across a farmer overlooking his burnt property.

“Clearly distraught, the farmer could barely muster the request ‘Can I get an excavator or a digger so I can bury livestock?’ when he proceeded to break down,” A/Sen Sgt Tang said.

“Without any hesitation, the senior constable pulled him in for a hug. It was very powerful.”

A/Sen Sgt Tang started his deployments at Fawkner and Brunswick police stations doing general duties.

It wasn’t long before the Officer in Charge at Brunswick noticed A/Sen Sgt Tang was good with data, so in 2019 he was given an opportunity in the Fawkner Divisional Intelligence Unit.

A/Sen Sgt Julian Tang opted for a community focused policing career over opportunities with the Australian Defence Force and Orica.

Photo: Stephanie Clark

A move to Hume later that year was next for A/Sen Sgt Tang, whose “natural evolution” was to work as a Tactical Intelligence Officer.

Since then, he has held roles in the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team, tasking operations and as a frontline sergeant at Moonee Ponds.

A/Sen Sgt Tang said one of his greatest fears is to pigeonhole himself too much because he might miss out on other opportunities.

In his current upgraded role, he is back in the intelligence area working with specialised squads to disrupt organised crime groups.

As to where he heads next, he’s not quite sure.

“That’s the magic of this organisation, there's so many areas you can explore.”

Are you made for more?

Are you looking for a career where you can reach your potential and make a difference?

Ever get the feeling you could be made for more?

Victoria Police is recruiting now for an additional 502 police officers to meet the growing needs of the community.

A career with Victoria Police is made for ambitious people looking for more challenges, more purpose and more possibilities.

The majority of Victoria Police members work as general duties police officers, who are the first to respond when community needs arise, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You could be part of the team that makes a difference to the Victorian community every day.

If you’re made for more, apply now. Visit police.vic.gov.au/police