This article is part of a recurring series catching up with the cast of Brit Cops Down Under (West Coast Cops).
Transitioning to the WA Police Force from England
When viewers last saw Michael on Brit Cops Down Under (West Coast Cops), he was navigating the uncertainty of relocating across the world to restart his policing career in Western Australia. Several years on, that uncertainty has been replaced by confidence, stability and a sense of personal belonging.
Michael arrived in WA as part of the transitional officer program, initially being placed at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup for 13 weeks to complete his training. From there, he was posted to Perth Police Station, where he spent around a year working on the floor across various teams. Today, he works within the Perth Inquiry Team, having gravitated towards investigations and the analytical side of policing.
Due to the natural movement of staff in a busy metropolitan station, particularly with probationary constables rotating regularly, Michael has found himself in a unique position. As a transitional officer, he is tenure locked to Perth, which has made him one of the longest serving members of his current team. That stability has come with opportunity. He often acts as Sergeant, a role that has accelerated his development and provided a steep but rewarding learning curve.
“The responsibility has grown a lot,” Michael says. “But it’s been a good thing. You’re trusted, you’re supported, and you’re encouraged to step up."
Finding His Feet in the Perth Lifestyle
Outside of work, life has settled just as firmly. One of the biggest changes since arriving in WA has been stability. Michael now has his own apartment, no longer house sharing, and has fully embraced the Australian lifestyle, including redefining what “cold” means when temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Like many migrants, he has also adopted the local language, now instinctively understanding that “How you goin?” means “You alright?” and isn’t a request for where you are headed.
Perhaps most importantly, Michael has built a strong community around him. Friends he met in his first year have become a chosen family, and Christmas, once spent with relatives back home, is now shared with close friends who, like him, have built their lives far from their families.
Professionally, WA policing continues to impress him. What stands out most is the efficiency and continual advancement of technology: “I don’t mean drones and robots, just the way we can process files, respond to and update jobs is very efficient”. Combined with strong staffing levels, Michael says the environment feels noticeably less tense than his previous experience in the UK: “Policing is very much policing, but I feel a lot less stress here. Whether that is the environment or just having staff available”.
The scale of WA, however, still surprises him. “In the UK, travelling a couple of hours for an arrest would be unheard of. Here, it is entirely normal. You don’t cross into another force. It is all WA, and it is massive.”
Opportunities for Transitional UK Officers
Compared to his first year, Michael now finds a lot more responsibility resting on him. With almost nine years of policing experience across the UK and WA, and a strong understanding of the “WA way” of doing things, he is preparing to step into a Senior Constable role. That confidence did not come overnight. When he first arrived, he had to put ego aside and learn from probationers who knew local processes better than he did. Now, that knowledge flows the other way.
Looking back, settling in was not without sacrifice. Leaving behind home ownership and financial security in the UK was difficult, but the trade-off has been a lifestyle centred on the outdoors, community and experience. Technology has helped him maintain close connections with his family back home, and a return visit to the UK only confirmed what he already knew. “Australia is my home and that was cemented when I went back to the UK to visit.”
Asked whether he would recommend the move to other international officers, Michael does not hesitate.
“Do it. It’s not a lifetime decision. It’s just a decision for now. You can always go back. But if you don’t try, you’ll always wonder.”
For Michael, the risk was worth it, and the rewards continue to unfold.