John grew up in the western suburbs near Parramatta, playing footy, learning a trade as a sparky and always wanting to become a police officer, inspired by his grandfather’s advice.
His early lessons in communication as a sparky on job sites shaped how he approached policing and helped him connect with others.
In 1997, John joined the police. He worked in various roles, including Middle Eastern Crime and property teams, developing his skills further and gaining insight into the complexities of human behaviour through building relationships, even with sources from the criminal world.
Later, he joined the child abuse squad, interviewing children and supporting families through difficult times. He learned the importance of giving children control, building trust, and bringing hope to those affected.
In 2018, while trying to protect a family, John was seriously injured during an arrest. He survived multiple stab wounds, drawing on resilience, his training, and the support of his team to recover.
Today, John is an advocate for blood donation, sharing his story to encourage others. He values service, leadership, and resilience, and continues to help people through conversation, support, and community work. He has also delivered speeches at the Police Academy and schools on his experience and how to build resilience.
*****
We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.
Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.
If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact
We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!
Warmly,
The Kintsugi Heroes team
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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie
This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.
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