Wednesday, 16 March 2011

Ambitious beat cops find romance

Written By Scott Ward

A police vehicle begins roaming the busy streets of Fremantle in April 2007.

The sun is shining and the first job has been handed out.

Perched up in the passenger seat, is the newly appointed police officer, Adrian Kay.

His life long dream of being in the police force has finally become a reality.

“At a young age I have always been interested in investigating things, it felt natural that I would become a police officer,” Mr Kay said.

Mr Kay is your ‘ideal’ cop, with his hard working nature and determination.

He also has a burning desire to help the community.

Youngest WA detective

Two years after entering the force, Mr Kay applied to become a detective at the age of 24.

On the 28th of December 2009, Mr Kay became the youngest detective in Western Australia.

“No one really takes recognition for being the youngest, I was just happy to be a detective,” Mr Kay says.

Being modest is just one characteristic that comes to mind when describing Mr Kay.

His strong dedication towards his job, has made him take no notice of such a great achievement.

“Age is not a factor when you become detective,” Mr Kay says.

However, Mr Kay also says there were older figures in the workforce that tried to stamp their authority.

“It really depends on your personality whether you get intimidated or not.

"I have a strong personality and don’t get easily intimidated so it was easy for me,” Mr Kay said.

Mr Kay’s achievement of becoming the youngest detective in Western Australia was very much short lived.

His fiancĂ©e, Rebecca Brandham, 23, became a detective in early April this year, which made her the youngest detective in Western Australia.

“It was something I never really thought about, but I must admit if I was not with Adrian it would have been harder to get into,” Miss Brandham said.

The couple have been dating since 2008 and are expected to marry next year.

“We’d be married now if we could,” Miss Brandham said.

Sharing problems

Mr Kay and Miss Brandham have said their relationship has been a ‘positive light’ when it comes to their work.

“Having someone who has recently been through the same problems I have really helps me out because I tend to get stressed,'' she said.

“If I ever have a problem I just call Adrian and he tells me what to do,” Miss Brandham said.

While the relationship is ongoing the couple have both agreed that organising their home life is one of their biggest problems.

“When we shift work, we have to contact each other during work to decide who is going to feed the dog or whether or not I’ll be home for dinner,” Mr Kay said.

Miss Brandham has expressed her frustration in the demands of their workloads.

“We usually make plans, then a job comes along and we have to stay back late, that is the most annoying part of our jobs,” Miss Brandham explains.

Uni study

Taking on the responsibilities of detective work, and next year becoming a husband, it seems that Mr Kay has a lot on his plate.

However Mr Kay still finds the time to study law part-time at university.

First starting out at Notre Dame University in Fremantle, where he also began his career as a police officer.

He recently moved to Murdoch University to complete his studies.

Mr Kay is studying of his own accord and doing this for personal growth.

“I still have about three years to go but I just feel that this will help me in the long run with my job,” Mr Kay explained.

The police force offers only minimal courses to help benefit its officers.

Both Mr Kay and Miss Brandham together are taking full opportunity of the courses offered to its officers.

“We’re doing an integration course at Murdoch. We just feel that what ever we do extra will help us with our jobs,” Miss Brandham said.

Miss Brandham is wearing one of Mr Kay’s jumpers, without his consent, because she likes the bagginess and smell of it. They sit side by side at the table finishing each other’s sentences.

Mr Kay comes across as the more calm and collected one, while trying his best to give the best answer he can give.

Telepathy

When talking of their future, they both stare at each other like they have their own telepathic language, while bouncing thoughts from the others mind.

“I would like to remain a detective but specialise in technology and crime,” Mr Kay confessed.

On the other hand Miss Brandham has bigger aspirations.

“I would like to be a commissioner,” she said.

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