Mandurah cadet travels far to chase police dream

It was her determination to achieve her dream that inspired Kununurra teenager Kahli King Elliott to make the 3260km trip to Mandurah to pursue a career in the police force.

The 19-year-old said she was already well versed in the art of ironing uniforms, thanks to her years with the Royal Australian Navy Cadets, when she left the familiarity of her home town to take up a two-year traineeship at Pinjarra Police Station.

Now, 18 months on, the young police cadet has been recognised for her work ethic and determination by way of a Department of Training and Workplace Development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student of the year award nomination.

Ms King Elliott said the transition from country town to city was eye-opening, but her time in a full-time paid position with the Pinjarra local police team had fuelled her desire to succeed.

She said she wanted to complete training at the WA Police Academy and return home to her family a fully fledged police officer.

"Everyone knows everyone in Kununurra, so it was very different moving from a country town to the city," Ms King Elliott said.

"But I always wanted to work in uniform and I knew the traineeship would give me the basic skills I needed to return home a qualified police officer."

She said her longstanding involvement with the Navy Cadets had instilled in her an appreciation of structure and discipline.

She said patrols and call-outs alongside experienced officers, where she had witnessed domestic violence incidents and car crashes, had helped her to confirm she had chosen the right career path.

"I have been mainly doing administration and front counter, which builds the basic skills I need," Ms King Elliott said.

"While I can't go on priority one call-outs - the cops want to protect you from the worst stuff at first - I have accompanied experienced officers on patrol."

She said her Aboriginal background, by way of her great-grandmother, gave her a sense of pride in her heritage and home town and she hoped to complete the regional posting element of her formal police training in Kununurra.

She said she looked forward to the day when she could walk back into town in uniform.

Pinjarra Sergeant Clyde Pearson said Ms King Elliott had demonstrated a high degree of integrity and dedication.

Sgt Pearson said he expected she would be successful in her goal to enrol in the WA Police Academy.

Award winners will be announced on September 4.

While I can't go on priority one call-outs I have accompanied experienced officers on patrol. Kahli King Elliott