Following in dad's footsteps
A shared passion for sports, sneakers and community safety is what it’s all about for the Darlows.
In honour of #FathersDay we got chatting with father-son duo, Detective Inspector Craig Darlow and Constable Jason Darlow, and hit them with the tough questions including what sparked their interest in joining Victoria Police, their career highlights and aspirations, and just how many pairs of sneakers they have between them.
VP: We’ll start with you Craig, happy Father’s Day. You’re now 36 years into your policing career, an impressive feat, can you tell us what motivated you to join Victoria Police as an 18-year-old?
CD: I had a family friend that was in the police force, and I used to hear him tell stories about the cases he had worked on, and it really got me intrigued. It was because of that I decided at a young age that I wanted to be in the police force, specifically as a detective.
VP: And what about yourself Jason.
JD: I was influenced by my dad as he showed me how amazing the job can be. Seeing him in the newspaper or on TV talking about his work and the cases he worked on was huge. It showed me how important policing is to the community, and that hard work can accomplish just about anything. I also loved the fact that his job gave him the time to travel with me so we could visit places like America.
But there were also lot of other reasons as to why I joined the police force. It was about helping people in need and being able to support people who can't support themselves. Another reason was facing different challenges each day and overcoming different obstacles.
Plus, I was drawn to the job security, and different pathways and avenues that Victoria Police has to offer.
VP: Craig, what was your reaction when Jason first told you he wanted to join the force?
CD: Honestly, I was quite shocked when he told me. I thought he was going to follow a different career path that involved advertising and technology. But I was thrilled when he was accepted into the Academy as it has provided him with some clear direction, structure and an opportunity to help those people in our community that are vulnerable and need support.
VP: Did you have any advice for him?
CD: Of course. My advice was to develop yourself by learning from your colleagues, pick up their good traits from those experienced members around you. Think broadly and be compassionate to those people in our community that need our help, regardless of how trivial their complaint or issue might be, as they have called us often as a last resort.
VP: And how's the advice working out for you Jason?
JD: I would say great so far. Dad’s given me plenty of amazing advice, but he’s also passed on a lot of basic knowledge too. And those small tips actually help when you are trying to learn to be a police officer in a dynamic environment.
VP: Thirty-six years in, what do you love most about your job, Craig?
CD: I love the people and variety of work. There is so many areas and locations you can work in Victoria Police. You get to meet and work with so many great people who all have a common goal in protecting our community and making it safe. Each day is different, and you never know what the day will bring or what you will be confronted with.
You often hear it said that we have a front row seat to the greatest show on earth and when I reflect on my career, I agree with that.
VP: Your favourite unit or squad?
CD: That’s a really hard question as I have worked in so many areas including the Gaming and Vice Squad, Armed Robbery Squad, Armed Offenders Squad, Sunshine Criminal Investigation Branch, Werribee Criminal Investigation Unit and Trident/Icarus Taskforce.
I am currently in charge of VIPER Taskforce which has been a fantastic addition for Victoria Police to target serious and organised crime. The members in VIPER Taskforce are so invested and passionate about creating a hostile environment for organised crime groups to operate in. Our members are regularly coming up with new and innovative ways to target these crime groups and I enjoy coming to work each day and working in such a positive working environment with such a motivated team.
VP: Has there been a standout moment from your career you look back at fondly?
CD: I have been fortunate enough to work in some very busy places including Sunshine and Werribee. I have also worked with some fantastic members in the various Crime Squads on some complex investigations, which when resolved was very rewarding.
I had a career change in early 2000 where I went from being a Detective to a General Purpose Dog Handler at the Victoria Police Dog Squad. I also topped the class for the Dog Handler course which is something I am proud of.
VP: Your work also took you internationally. What was that experience like?
CD: I worked for two years as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. It was a fantastic experience where I was able to assist in the development of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force and their members.
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I met some wonderful people there including many police from Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific nations, whom I am still close to and keep in regular contact with.
My role enabled me to see much of this beautiful country and its people. This would be one of the highlights of my career.
VP: Alright Jason, over to you. You’re still fresh to the role, only graduating from the Academy earlier this year. Prior to joining you were studying at uni but switched it up as you were looking for something more physically challenging. What physical aspect of policing drew you to applying?
JD: The physical aspects that l was talking about were for the training in the Academy, and for special units around Victoria Police like the Critical Incident Response Team.
But knowing what demands you need to have to keep you safe, operationally or the ability to be able to keep up with offenders at an incident, that's more what I was drawn too.
VP: Are there areas of Victoria Police you’re keen to explore and gain experience in?
JD: Yeah, there areas I would love to have a look at such as CIRT, being a Detective or even looking at Prosecutions, but my end goal is to be the Chief Commissioner of Police.
That has always been my goal since deciding to become a police officer. I would love the challenge and the responsibility of being able to run the police force, and its movement and direction would be amazing. Technology is moving so quickly, and we need to make sure policing continues to progress with it.
VP: We're told you love your sports. What and who are you following?
CD: We both have a love of AFL and are die-hard Kangaroo supporters, which has not really fared well for us over the past five seasons. We also follow basketball (NBA) and have travelled to the USA together every two years where we will watch 4-5 games.
We also make sure to catch a few AMA Supercross, Ice Hockey and baseball games. It's like our own mini sports tour.
JD: Well, I grew up playing tennis and basketball in school. Basketball was and has always been my favourite sport and my dad really introduced me to the basketball world. He let me see and watch Kobe Bryant play, which bought me into the basketball culture, I loved it.
I also played football, and as dad said, we support North Melbourne. He always took me to games or coached my football team in my junior years. And he still comes to some of my games now, as a senior player. He definitely exposed me to a lot of sports when I was young.
VP: So, there’s a bit of travel involved. What trips have you taken together?
JD: The best trip would be us going to America in 2016. I got to see Kobe Bryant play basketball and I bought my first pair of collectable sneakers. We also watched a variety of different sports and experienced a whole different culture to what Australia has to offer. The memories dad and I made on that trip were amazing.
CD: As Jason said, we’ve done many trips to the USA where we have been fortunate enough to see many NBA, Supercross, Ice Hockey and baseball games. And we’ve been fortunate enough to locate a number of pairs of limited-edition sneakers which we collect.
VP: Okay, there’s been mention of a sneaker collection. Who was the first to kick start this hobby and just how many pairs are we talking here?
JD: I definitely started the craze, and he followed on from me. I purchased my first proper pair of shoes with him, and I think that’s what initially started it. I still own that pair of shoes to this day. It holds a lot of memory with it.
CD: You could say I have always collected sneakers which I wear, and I think buying him brand name sneakers such as Jordan when he was young probably kick started the collection. Jason got me into buying sneakers purely to collect and not wear, which I still think is a travesty as they just sit in the cupboard!
I think between us we would have about 80-100 pairs. But we’ve never really counted. I recall he bought a pair in the USA for $20 and sold them as a 14-year-old for $500 at Sneaker Con! He buys and sells and has made some good money trading. I just buy and hold onto my ones. One day they will go to him or his family.
VP: Finally, what would be your best advice to anyone thinking of a career in policing?
CD: I think Victoria Police is a fantastic career path for any young person considering joining Victoria Police. It’s exciting, challenging and rewarding and there is so many career paths you can take within the organisation. I have been a member for over 36 years and enjoy coming to work with such fantastic people that are in this organisation.
JD: I have been told, and now agree ‘if you join the police you are going to see the 'greatest show on earth’ and that ‘you are getting a front row seat’ to that show. There is nothing quite like this job and every day you will do something different, it definitely keeps you on your feet with the challenges it presents.
Watch real Victoria Police officers share real stories about what life as a police officer looks like and how they knew they were made for more.
Fatalities Investigations Manager at WorkSafe Victoria
3moWonderful sight... Stacey was just talking about you on the weekend. You rightfully should be very proud Craig.
Experienced law enforcement professional with a strong background in operations management and strategic leadership
3moThat’s brilliant Craig, congratulations to the whole family!!!
UNIVERSAL ROBOTS A/S
4moThanks for sharing
Consultant at First 5 Minutes Pty Ltd
4moGreat to see Craig
Search Engine Traffic & Cyber Security for home and the public.
4moLove this my father served for over 25 years. This lives he has saved is amazing. My father was a brilliant peacekeeper as well and prevented many deaths. It’s a difficult job career at times but he did and put 9 kids thru good schools. Strong character x prays to keep you safe every day x