Andrew spent his formative years in Warrnambool, attending Warrnambool Primary School, where his father, David taught. In 1980, his father took a teaching position in Penang, Malaysia, and the family lived abroad for two years before returning to Australia, where he completed his secondary schooling at CBC. “I have fond memories playing racquetball at both recess and lunchtimes, occasionally, but rarely beating Brother Wright,” he says.
Uncertain about his career, he tried out university before opting to enter the workforce. While drawn to policing from the outset, he sought advice and was encouraged to gain some life experience first. “It may sound cliché, but I genuinely wanted to contribute to society,” he comments.
He worked at Pontings Timber and Warrnambool Business Machines before joining Victoria Police in 1991, graduating as dux of his squad. The first nine years of his career were in general duties, across both metropolitan and rural police stations. This exposed him to challenging aspects of society, including suicides, drug overdoses, and domestic violence. “Policing can be an institutionally immersive experience, often shaping a dark sense of humour as a coping mechanism.” he explains.
My time in East Timor was both confronting and rewarding—the levels of poverty, infant mortality, and general despair were overwhelming.
In 2000, he joined the Technical Support Unit, where he was involved in conducting surveillance operations. Here, his humble background in electronics proved invaluable. He has since gone on to serve 16 of his 26 years policing with the unit.
In 2001, he was deployed to East Timor as a UN peacekeeper, assisting in the repatriation of displaced persons, and election security. “My time in East Timor was both confronting and rewarding—the levels of poverty, infant mortality, and general despair were overwhelming.” he explains.
While there, he was seriously injured in an assault and returned to Australia. “I sustained a stab wound to the abdomen, which led to septicemia, requiring hospitalisation in Dili.”
In 2003, he accepted a contract with the UN in Iraq, providing security for three months. Witnessing the scale of U.S. military operations was eye-opening. “On several occasions, I was fortunate to receive assistance from American forces, which likely saved my life,” he admits.
Back in Australia, he resumed his role in technical surveillance, contributing to operations during Melbourne’s gangland wars and counterterrorism investigations. In 2006, following unrest in East Timor, he was deployed for six months in an intelligence role. He highlights, “This experience was markedly different from my previous time in East Timor, as hostility toward Australian police and military forces had intensified.”
Shortly after this deployment, he was promoted and served in various locations, including a 12-month tenure as a Senior Sergeant in Warrnambool. Then in 2011, rejoined the rebranded Technical Surveillance Unit.
In 2012, he was diagnosed with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, which was possibly linked to his East Timor injury. Undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, he lost 30 kilograms and reassessed his priorities. After 10 months, he returned to work. Later, he became a Detective Inspector and National Capability Advisor for the Australia and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee, earning a degree in counterterrorism and a fellowship studying surveillance methods in Europe.
By 2018, the long-term effects of his treatment led to avascular necrosis, requiring hip and knee replacements. Unable to meet operational requirements, he reluctantly retired on medical grounds.
Post-retirement, he has continued to pursue further education, earning degrees in Public Safety and Research, and published a book about his career. Now, he focuses on mental health advocacy with Police Veterans Victoria, supporting retired officers.
“Statistics indicate that one in three retired police officers will experience some form of mental health issue, with many struggling with a loss of purpose post-retirement. Studies suggest that while the average civilian encounters five traumatic events in a lifetime, a police officer may face one traumatic incident per week,” he explains.
