John Atley the Quintessential Country Cop part 1

Narelle Fraser Interviews

John Atley is the quintessential country cop. He grew up in Rochester Victoria on a dairy farm, was (and still is) part of a close family, played local footy like a lot of country kids and then his parents sold their farm and purchased a newsagency in Shepparton. John worked in the newsagent & some other short-lived careers, until this green country kid discovered the bright lights of Melbourne.

John joined Victoria Police at 24 and he never knew anything else for nearly 32yrs - until just short of his 55th birthday. His first 10-12 yrs were spent Policing in Melbourne but then an opportunity arose for him to return to his roots in Rochester as a local Policeman. By then he’d met the love of his life Fiona and had a family. Their support of him and his career has never wavered and its one of the main reasons he was able to do what he loved for so long. A Police person’s family have to endure and absorb much of the daily highs & lows and challenges of incidents they are exposed to, however they feel and see the results. Fiona, Ben and Tara are no different.

Being a country cop has many challenges a city cop doesn’t face – they often work one-up (alone) and attend incidents which involve people they know, maybe they grew up with, went to school with …..and yes, even family. And what about their social life? Everywhere they go, they are the local cop and I’d imagine its rare someone wouldn’t ask them something Police related. But opposed to that are the many advantages – of being present for all his kids & family celebrations and significant events.

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