Courting success

Editorial: Nadine Lyford

Photography: Jesse Wray-McCann

Learning to fly came a lot easier than learning to swim for Sergeant Khurram Chaudhry, but it was just another problem to be solved on his path to becoming a police officer.

After overcoming the embarrassment of being in the slowest lane at the aquatic centre with the under 10s, it was a driver illegally using his mobile phone that was to be the catalyst for setting the direction of Sgt Chaudhry’s career.

But that’s not where his story begins.

Born in Pakistan, Sgt Chaudhry moved to Santa Monica and later Raleigh, North Carolina in the United States to study mechanical engineering shortly after completing his secondary education.

It was while in the US that Sgt Chaudhry was able to fulfil a life-long ambition.

“Since my early teens, I've had a passion for aviation and being in the US meant I was able to take flying lessons, which was fantastic,” Sgt Chaudhry said.

Sgt Chaudhry returned to Pakistan in 2006 with a degree in mechanical engineering and a commercial pilot’s licence. It was a far cry from the courtrooms of Melbourne.

“In Pakistan, it is very much about following in the footsteps of your parents, rather than following your passions,” he said of his decision to work as an engineer.

The turning point came when Sgt Chaudhry witnessed a violent crime committed on a busy street in Lahore.

“By that time, I was married and our first daughter had been born,” he said.

“Seeing that crime take place in broad daylight, I knew I wanted to bring my family up somewhere safer.”

And so began the search for a new country to call home. The shortlist was the US, Canada or Australia.

Having a friend who was already established in Australia helped him make his decision.

It was a 16-month process, with Sgt Chaudhry, his wife Annam, who was pregnant with their second child Zimal, and three-year-old Zoya arriving in Australia in November 2011.

“I had envisaged that I would be able to get a job in engineering,” he said.

When no opportunities came through, Sgt Chaudhry reflected on what else he would like to do.

“While in the US, I had really liked the idea of becoming a police officer. To do this, I would have had to take up citizenship and give up my citizenship in Pakistan, which wasn’t an option at the time.”

With more than a spark of interest, he started to explore the recruitment process for joining Victoria Police.

“I fell at the first hurdle because I had never learned to swim, which is one of the components of the fitness test,” Sgt Chaudhry said.

Undaunted, he investigated the process of becoming a protective services officer (PSO), graduating from the Victoria Police Academy in January 2013 at the age of 29.

“Becoming a PSO was a great learning experience for me and working closely with police officers gave me a taste of what life could be like.”

And so, he hit the swimming pool.

“I started taking swimming lessons and practised until I could meet the fitness test requirement of 100 metres in under four minutes.”

By February 2016, Sgt Chaudhry successfully completed the bridging course for PSOs to become police officers.

His first posting out of the Academy was at Fitzroy Police Station, which is when he wrote that fateful ticket for a man driving while using a mobile phone.

“It was one of the first infringements I ever issued as a probationary constable,” he said.

“Because the driver decided to contest it in court, I had to appear as an informant.”

It was that day in court that Sgt Chaudhry was introduced to the idea of becoming a police prosecutor.

“The police prosecutor was brilliant that day and I thought, 'This is what I want to do'.”

A little over a year later in 2019, Sgt Chaudhry started with Prosecutions Court Branch, firstly at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court and more recently at the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court.

His first crime case was against someone accused of a $94,000 deception.

“I was up against two very experienced barristers, which was really daunting. It was quite a complex case, and it can become quite hostile in the courtroom, so you need to be able to stay calm.”

Sgt Chaudhry was up to the challenge, winning the case for the prosecution.

Along with the theatre that can occur in the courtroom, Sgt Chaudhry said he enjoys the challenge of being up against defence barristers and the technicality of legal arguments.

“There is an art to advocacy, which allows me to use my analytical skills to advantage.”

Last year, Sgt Chaudhry received the prestigious Janelle Tran Award, which recognises a person in Victoria Police’s Courts and Specialist Prosecutions Division who promotes a workplace of respect and embraces the differences of all people through positivity, support and inclusion.

Sgt Chaudhry said the award was the highlight of his career.

“I am so proud to be a member of Victoria Police and to be able to advocate for victims of crime. To receive the award was such an honour.”