- Published:
- Friday 30 October 2026 at 2:00 pm
| CCP Mike Bush presents PCO Michael O'Loughlin with his letter of offer to become the first recruit at the new Mildura police academy. |
A police custody officer (PCO) who thought he was doing some routine training has been surprised by Chief Commissioner Mike Bush and announced as the first ever police recruit selected for the new Mildura academy.
PCO Michael O’Loughlin has lived in Mildura all his life and had a longstanding dream of becoming a police officer.
But with the only Victoria Police Academy being more than 550 kilometres away in Melbourne, he needed to put his dream on hold to raise his young family.
Having worked as a PCO at Mildura Police Station for seven years, he is one of more than 300 PCOs across the state who manage prisoners at police stations.
Everything changed for the 39-year-old when Victoria Police announced its plans to establish its inaugural regional academy in Mildura.
He went through the application process and, during some mandatory training exercises last week, he was surprised by CCP Bush with his letter of offer to join the Mildura regional academy in January next year.
PCO O’Loughlin initially thought CCP Bush was there simply to inspect the training facilities.
"When the Chief Commissioner handed me the letter, I was shocked,” PCO O’Loughlin said.
“I did not expect to be the first person offered a place.
“It was a moment I'll never forget.”
Training in his hometown
PCO O’Loughlin said the creation of the Mildura academy was the “perfect opportunity” for he and his family.
"Becoming a police officer had always been something I wanted to do, but with a young family and living so far from Melbourne, the timing was never quite right,” he said.
"We've got twins who are eight years old and one of them has special needs.
“To be able to train here in my hometown, be home every night and stay connected to my family means everything.
"When you're married with kids and you realise you can do what you've wanted to do forever, and it's only 15 minutes from your front door, it's an amazing thing.”
He said the new academy would benefit not just the recruits themselves, but Victoria Police and the regional communities it serves.
"I think it's a great opportunity for regional people,” he said.
“There are probably others like me who always wanted to become a police officer but couldn't spend months away from family.
"Having local people train to do the job they've always wanted to do and work in the communities they know is a great thing for policing.
“Local knowledge and local connections make a real difference.”
Local benefits
CCP Bush said PCO O’Loughlin’s hometown knowledge and years of experience as a PCO working alongside police at Mildura would be invaluable.
"It was a privilege to personally deliver the news to Michael,” CCP Bush said.
"Michael's story is exactly why we created the Mildura regional academy.
“He is a committed member of the local community who has always wanted to become a police officer, but family circumstances made it difficult to relocate to Melbourne for training.
"Country people make great police. They understand their communities, build strong relationships and bring valuable local knowledge to the job.”
It was also announced on last week that the Mildura regional academy will be based at SuniTAFE.
Victoria Police will begin moving into and fitting out its leased facilities at SuniTAFE next month and will welcome its inaugural squad of up to 30 recruits on 18 January 2027.
Recruits will complete the same 25-week training program delivered at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley.
Mildura is the first location in a regional training pilot, with Gippsland confirmed as the next academy site when the academy moves to a new regional location.
Learn about Victoria Police regional recruit training opportunities and regional academy locations by visiting the Regional police academy program page.
Callout: Editorial Wes Hosking and Jesse Wray-McCann
Callout: Photography Supplied
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