Love at first shift

Love is countryside living, inescapable views, and working a job you love alongside your soon-to-be spouse. Or at least that’s the case for Senior Constables Sophie Bell and Daniel Brody.

For Sophie, becoming a police officer was a lifelong dream, beginning with a school visit from Victoria Police. For Daniel, the realisation came later in life when he found himself craving more excitement, more challenges, and a change in scenery while working as a chippy in Anglesea.

But it wasn’t until they had both been in the job for a few years that their paths finally crossed.

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When Daniel graduated from the Academy, he began his policing career in Horsham. No stranger to the country life, Horsham felt like the perfect fit for a fresh start and a new career opportunity.

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After some time in the city, Sophie was considering a tree change, and when the opportunity arose to be stationed at Horsham, she arranged to scope the town out with a tour from a friend before taking the leap to move stations. Little did she know she would be meeting her future husband that same day.

After a successful tour of the town, she was extended an invite to a home cooked lunch. There she met Daniel, then housemate of her friend and tour guide.

“Well, it's funny because we went and did the tour at Horsham and Tom was like - are you coming back for lunch? I was going to go home back to Geelong but it turned out Dan, Tom’s house mate of the time, had cooked a roast lunch and the rest was history,” Sophie recalled.

Like many couples, they’ve had their fair share of adventures over the last three years. Unlike most couples, they’ve also endured a few on-foot pursuits while finishing jobs together.

“For the first three shifts we worked together, I reckon we would have worked a total of 15 minutes on the road, because we’d drive out the gate and then I’d end up chasing someone,” Daniel says.

“But it’s good on shift, it’s like chalk and cheese. We know that once we are at work, we’re here to work.”

Their latest adventure has found them in their new hometown of Corryong. There, with a passion for community policing, the two have also the perfect balance between work and play.

“The mountains are just stunning. You pinch yourself because it’s just breathtaking,” Sophie says.

“Every day we just drive down the highway on the way to work and all you see is mountain caps, and it really is just amazing.”

Whether you’ve been dreaming of being any officer for a long time like Sophie, or you’re chasing a career change like Daniel, it’s the perfect time to learn about a career at Victoria Police. We’re recruiting now.

Find out more at https://go.vic.gov.au/3JaZZq5