Change of scenery for officer Perry
Aon long-time familiar face
the streets of Horsham and Wimmera roads will soon become just as familiar in the small hamlet of Harrow.
If history is any gauge, police officer Alan Perry, 60, packing his bags with wife Julie and heading to the region’s southwest, will quickly embrace and get involved with his new community.
Leading Senior Constable Perry has been a face of the Horsham constabulary since 1980, but his community connections have for many years expanded well beyond emergency and enforcement services.
Many people recognise him as much for his volunteer roles in support activities involving football, schools and charity organisations.
For example, while preparing for his September 4 start at the Harrow station, Sen Const Perry had to work around his involvement with Variety Bash Car 113 Minions team as part of a money-raising effort for disadvantaged children.
He is a life-member of Horsham Saints Football Netball Club, having spent six years as president after joining then St Michaels in 1993, and has been a part of and led parent representative groups at Ss Michael and John’s Primary School and St Brigid’s College.
Sen Const Perry said he was making the move to Harrow, replacing Senior Constable Lisa Lorenz who has transferred to Tangambalanga, for a change in career direction.
“After 26 years of highway patrol I thought it was time to make the move to help people in a smaller community,” he said.
“I’m keen to quickly become part of the community and to continue to develop a sense of connectivity between people and police and emergency services as well as provide people with security.”
Sen Const Perry was originally from a Casterton district farm and after finishing secondary school joined the police cadets and underwent training at the police academy.
He then spent six years as an officer in Melbourne before transferring to Horsham in 1980, where he met his wife and settled into family life as the couple raised four children.
Sen Const Perry said since arriving in Horsham he had seen many changes in laws, enforcement and community expectations.
“Much of my background has been in traffic and there have been many changes in law in relation to drink and drug-driving, speed and general traffic-related matters,” he said.
“For example, we’ve seen an important evolution in community responsibilities and perceptions involving drink-driving. In 1980 there was a widespread blasé approach to drink-driving for what is now considered serious criminal activity.”
Sen Const Perry said as a result of ever-changing society sensibilities, the role of police was also constantly evolving to meet expectations.
“This has expanded into areas such as family law and adapting to technological developments such as the onset of social media,” he said.
“Policing is certainly different now to what it was when I joined the force in 1974. But in saying that, the role fundamentally remains the same. Our responsibilities in keeping people safe, whether it is on the roads, in schools, in playgrounds, on the streets – any community circumstance – never changes.
“Julie and I are really looking forward to the move to Harrow and to starting a new chapter in our lives.”