‘Officer everywhere’ takes out top title

The annual award is presented by the Rotary Club of Unley, in partnership with South Australia Police (SAPOL), and acknowledges police officers who have made a lasting and profound impact on community service and development.

Fondly referred to as ‘officer everywhere’ by many in the Murray Mallee community, SC1C Brown is a familiar face across several initiatives, including Neighbourhood Watch, the Murray Bridge Blue Light boxing program, and ‘Coffee with a Cop’.

His role as a crime prevention officer also includes the delivery of regular school and community talks on bullying and violence, cybercrime awareness, home security advice, and more.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Watkins congratulated SC1C Brown on the esteemed recognition and acknowledged his instrumental efforts to better the regional community.

“Through his strong desire to make a difference, SC1C Brown has built trust with countless community members, including young people,” he said.

“His work in Murray Mallee crime prevention and commitments outside of policing have made a lasting impression, and he demonstrates the exemplary qualities of a great police officer.”

SC1C Brown felt “gob smacked” when notified about the award. “I am very humbled to be announced Police Officer of the Year,” he said.

“Although this is an individual award, a lot of the achievements I have had would not be possible without the backing of SAPOL and a trusting Sergeant and team members.

“Personally, I would like to acknowledge my wife Christy Brown who has been with me every step of the way during challenging times, offering me the support needed, and my three kids (aged 14 and 11-year-old twins), for keeping me grounded.”

Originally from Liverpool in the United Kingdom, the 49-year-old formerly worked as a Cadbury chocolate sales consultant before making the journey down under in 2006.

“My house was always a hit when it was Halloween, with all the kids wanting to go to ‘the chocolate man’s’ house for trick or treat,” SC1C Brown remembered.

“However, I was a kid of the ’80s and early ’90s and grew up watching the likes of Starsky and Hutch, Dukes of Hazard, CHiPS and Police Academy which sparked my interest in policing as an action-packed and exciting career.

“As I got older and gained a more realistic view of the world, I quickly realised the importance of policing and considered how rewarding it would be to make a difference in peoples’ lives and help them in times of need.”

After visiting family in Sydney and a 1998 trip backpacking around Australia, SC1C Brown and his wife Christy decided to emigrate here in 2006 and haven’t looked back since.

When driving in Adelaide’s city centre, a SAPOL recruitment advert on the back of a bus caught SC1C Brown's eye and he joined the police academy as a cadet in Course 3 on March 3, 2008.

His 17-year career has so far seen an eight-year stint at Port Pirie as a Probationary Constable, Senior Constable and Acting Sergeant, and periods at smaller Port Germein and Port Broughton stations.

In 2016, SC1C Brown transferred to Grenfell Street for a 6-month period before moving to Murray Bridge.

“In Murray Bridge I was initially on the road and spent a great deal of my time as acting Sergeant or 2IC of the team before being recognised and promoted to Brevet Sergeant,” he said.

“When the opportunity came up to transfer into crime prevention in 2022, I jumped at it and have taken on the role as Vice Chair for Murray Bridge Blue Light and Police Co-ordinator for Murray Bridge Neighbourhood Watch.

“Policing is the best job in the world. You get to work with some strong people and make lifelong friends. You also get to work in a team and have access to a multitude of career opportunities.”

In his spare time, SC1C Brown enjoys exploring outdoors with his family or playing the guitar (badly). He is also a huge fan of English Premier League football, supporting Liverpool Football Club, and also enjoys watching the ‘mighty Reds’, Adelaide United, play at Hindmarsh Stadium.

“I am currently in training to walk the Kokoda trail next year as part of my 50th birthday celebrations,” he added.

“Other future aspirations include leaving a lasting legacy on the community I work in, becoming a Sergeant in a crime prevention section to share my experiences, and to see my children grow up and achieve their full potential.”

The official ceremony was held today at the Royal Adelaide Show where SC1C Brown was presented with the title by the Rotary Club of Unley’s President Rhonda Hoare and District 9510 Governor Rajeev Kamineni, joined by Acting Deputy Commissioner Watkins.

President Hoare commended the 47-year award partnership with SAPOL, and SC1C Brown’s achievements towards safer communities.

“The quality of officers nominated continues to honour and exemplify the contribution South Australia Police makes to our state communities,” she said.

“Rotary is very pleased to make this award to Senior Constable First Class David Brown – a dedicated police officer worthy of such recognition – and hopes to see the collaboration continue with SAPOL well into the future.”

Murray Bridge’s Senior Constable First Class David Brown has been named the 2025 South Australia Police Officer of the Year.

SC1C David Brown working in Port Pirie 2011, pictured with a man walking from Perth to Sydney dressed as a Stormtrooper for a mental health charity. (Right) SC1C Brown pictured at a NAIDOC Family Fun Day after being ambushed by kids during a colour run.

SC1C Brown at Tailem Bend Raceway for a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser. He led a parade lap around the racecourse with some very expensive and fast super cars behind him. (Right) SC1C Brown is the Police Co-ordinator for Murray Bridge Neighbourhood Watch.