Officer of the Year armed with empathy
From "The Advertiser" 11 May 2005
By Police Reporter Matt Williams

Senior Constable Kelly Fletcher with husband Mark and son Dylan.

Telling families about the loss of loved ones is the hardest thing policewoman Kelly Fletcher has had to deal with in her 13-year career. Yesterday the Senior Constable was named as the state's 27th annual Police Officer of the Year for 2004.

Senior Constable Fletcher, 34, who is based in Whyalla police station, works as a youth and community officer and helps in the rehabilitation of young offenders. She also works in providing case management and advocacy for disadvantaged or homeless youth. After starting her career in the Rapid Response unit at the Glenelg police station, Sen-Cont Fletcher worked as a patrol officer in Adelaide before moving to Whyalla seven years ago.

The Rotary Club [of Unley] presented Sen-Const Fletcher with her award at a special presentation in Rundle Mall.

"The worst part of the job is telling family that someone close to them has passed-away and that's never easy," Sen-Const Fletcher said. "But the role I'm currently involved in is all very positive and time consuming but you get a lot back because there are plenty of rewards when you start seeing results." Sen-Const Fletcher said she was happy to stay at Whyalla and had no real ambition "at this stage" of returning to the city to work.

Deputy Commissioner John White said the award by the Rotary Club of Unley was prestigious because the winner was nominated by the community. "This is a very prestigious award to win and it is very much valued by police officersacross the state," Mr White said. "Police work is very difficult at times under certain circumstances and the recipients of this award only win it through sheer excellence. SA Police's reputation starts with each individual officer and we, as an organisation, cherish our standing in the community."

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Our top cop
From the Whyalla News Thursday, 12 May 2005
By Bev Story

Whyalla police officer Kelly Fletcher is tops at her job and on Tuesday the senior constable became only the second women to ever win Police Officer of the Year. The award was presented at a ceremony in Rundle Mall on Tuesday, with Constable Fletcher surprised on learning of her win the previous week.

"I had no idea," Constable Fletcher told the Whyalla News. "I was called back to the boss's office after work and thought I was in some sort of strife."

Constable Fletcher moved to Whyalla seven-and-a-half years ago, is married to Mark Fletcher, and they have a two-and-a-half-year-old son Dylan. She has been a police officer for 13 years.

Constable Fletcher was recognised for developing several community programs for youth in the city, according to Unley Rotary Club's Bob Mills, who coordinated the awards.

He said Constable Fletcher had "been nominated for the tremendous support and encouragement she has given to youth and to the general community".

"She is actively involved with many committees and programs aimed at improving the lifestyle of the local young people," Bob said.

"As an example, she has been the chief coordinator of a basketball program whereby four teams of indigenous young people are now playing in the town competition for the first time."

For two consecutive seasons she has picked students up for practice and games, coached them, supervised attendance at the games and secured funding for uniforms, registration fees and the weekly entry charges. In the recent summer season about 40 young people were involved in the four Whyalla Sharks' teams, up from three teams in the 2004 winter season. She is taking a break this season to evaluate the success of the project, but remains committed to her work.

While she is the designated youth and community officer for Whyalla, she goes beyond that.

"It is very rewarding working with the kids and seeing the difference it is making in the community," Constable Fletcher said. The project aimed to: "reduce the juvenile-related crime in Whyalla by working with help of other agencies and other community groups and provide opportunities for those kids so that they have other opportunities other than offending".

Bob Mills had high praise for Constable Fletcher winning the twenty-seventh award.

"This officer has been described as having a strong sense of commitment in carrying out her police duties by creating and promoting opportunities for young people to improve their educational levels, their self esteem and their relationships within the community," he said. "Her dedication and support in this area has earned her the respect and trust of the young people and adults alike."

Constable Fletcher said of her win: "It is pretty huge". "I would like to really thank the people that nominated me," she said. "It is great to be valued in the community."

Constable Fletcher is also involved with Plaza Youth and is Whyalla Youth Workers' Network secretary.

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