Senior constable from Murray Bridge is SA Police officer of the year for 2025

Some call him “Officer Everywhere”, some just “Browny”, but now he can add one more name to the list: SA Police officer of the year.

Senior Constable David Brown, from the Murray Mallee’s crime prevention section, was revealed as the winner of the prestigious award on Friday.

His will be a familiar face to many around the Murraylands – he delivers regular talks at schools and in the community about bullying and violence, home security, cyber crime and other subjects.

He is also involved with Neighbourhood Watch, Blue Light activities and Murray Bridge’s monthly Coffee with a Cop events.

Senior Constable Brown said he had been “gobsmacked” and humbled when told he had won.

He thanked his sergeant and the trusting team around him at SAPOL, as well as his wife Christy, “who has been with me every step of the way during challenging times, offering me the support needed”, and their three kids, 14, 11 and 11.

Policing was the best job in the world, he said.

“You get to work with some strong people and make lifelong friends,” he said.

“You also get to work in a team and have access to a multitude of career opportunities.”

He hoped his work would allow him to leave a lasting legacy in the community, and that he would someday rise to the rank of sergeant in crime prevention himself.

SA Police acting Deputy Commissioner Simon Watkins, Unley Rotary Club president Rhonda Hoare and Rotary district governor Rajeev Kamineni presented the award publicly at the Royal Adelaide Show on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner Watkins congratulated Senior Constable Brown on his efforts and the recognition they had earned.

“Through his strong desire to make a difference, Senior Constable First Class 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.”

Senior Constable Brown grew up in Liverpool, in the United Kingdom, is a huge Reds fan and – if you can believe it – previously worked as a Cadbury chocolate salesman.

“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 Hazzard, 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 people’s lives and help them in times of need.”

He first visited Australia for a backpacking trip in 1998, and he and Christy made the move here in 2006.

After seeing a SAPOL recruiting ad on the back of a bus, he joined the police academy on March 3, 2008.

His career since then has included an eight-year stint in the Mid North, at Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Broughton; six months in Adelaide; and the past nine years in the Murraylands.

He joined the crime prevention section three years ago.

The SA Police officer of the year award is presented in partnership with the Rotary Club of Unley to an officer who has made a lasting and profound impact on community service and development.

It has been given almost every year for the past 47 years.

• More information: www.unleyrotary.org.au.