Behind the badge

Paula Fowler

Rank: Leading Senior Constable

Graduated: December 2004

Station: Farm Crime Liaison Officer, Proactive Policing Unit, Warragul Police Station

Why did you join Victoria Police? I was working as a nurse in Warragul and knew I loved helping people. I was looking for a change as I needed some excitement in my life, so I decided to join Victoria Police. I love that I can come to work not knowing what they day is going hold – it’s definitely never boring. I also love that I get the opportunity to work with great people and have made so me great friends over the years.

Tell us about your career history. I joined Victoria Police in 2004 and have worked at Warragul Police station for most of my policing career, with a stint as a Youth Resource Officer at Morwell Police Station prior to my current position.

Tell us about the Farm Crime Liaison Officer role? Victoria Police has dedicated Farm Crime Liaison Officers (FCLOs) based across the state that specialise in assisting with farm related crimes. The role of FCLOs is to oversee farm crime and livestock theft investigations where required; provide advice, guidance and assistance to police officers; establish and maintain relationships with farming partners; liaise with the farming community; encourage reporting of livestock theft and rural crime; and maintain a contemporary knowledge of local trends and issues and engage with partners to identify and mitigate risks in farming practice. Part of the role is to encourage farmers to report any incidents of farm crime. In the past, farmers and people who live in rural areas have been reluctant to report the crime as they think there is nothing police can do. But if we don’t know about it, we can’t act. We have a lot more farmers reporting now compared to years ago and a lot of that’s a result of improvements in police engagement with the community through these FCLO roles.

Why is it so important to have a focus on farm crime? Farmers are hardworking, trusting people who work long hours. Crooks often see them as an easy target as they live in secluded areas and are not always good at locking sheds, houses and vehicles. Farmrelated crimes – particularly livestock theft – are often of significant value and victims not only lose the value of their stock, but also access to future offspring and valuable bloodlines they then need to replace. These crimes affect people’s livelihoods and have a negative impact on not only the victims but also on the rural communities they live in. These farmers already face serious challenges such as fires, droughts and floods.

What is something people would be surprised to know about your role? My role doesn’t just involve providing farmrelated advice to other members; it also includes things like going to local rodeos and chatting to farmers about how they can protect themselves and their properties. One day I’ll be talking to a farmer about putting ‘private property’ signs on their fences and the next I might be cuddling a kelpie pup at a show.

What is a career highlight/job that stands out for you? I remember attending an incident where a teenage boy had accidently shot himself in the chest whilst getting onto a four-wheel motorbike. Police were first on the scene and we located him collapsed on the floor inside the house. We were able to provide him with reassurance and first aid until an ambulance attended. He was flown to a Melbourne hospital and fully recovered after months of hospital treatment. I feel grateful to work in a position to help people at times of crisis in their lives and to have the skills to provide reassurance and empathy to victims of crime or people involved in accidents.