A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
RETIRED Australian professional wrestler Callee Keating is one of 10 new constables at Geelong Police Station.
Best known by her wrestling name Kellie Skater, the 30-year-old recently stepped out of the ring and into a job with Victoria Police.
Her 10-year international wrestling career saw her win major titles in Australia, Japan and America. She spent half of the year living and fighting abroad, most often in Japan, and half of the year fighting on home soil while working at Coles.
“I decided to finish up because I wanted to join the police force,” Constable Keating said. “I wanted a job where I could help people and I felt policing was the best option for me.”
After eight months living at the academy Constable Keating graduated in October and is now working as a uniform member in Geelong.
Offenders, like many of her wrestling opponents, may underestimate her speed and strength based on her size.
“The fitness part (of the academy) was no stress at all. I do enjoy the physicality of the job,” she said.
“Working as a wrestler I had a lot of background in talking to people, the public, wrestling fans, media and communicating with people was something I enjoyed doing and I thought I can bring that to policing.”
The Geelong Division will receive 28 extra policing staff by next April including 17 general duties — 10 of which have already started — two Highway Patrol and nine family violence specialists, including Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Uebergang.
“The new recruits to the area is a great thing. It invigorates the older members who have been around for a while … and they become the mentors and the leaders,” he said.