"It's about balancing what the community wants and the organisation can do. I love coming to work, it's a fantastic job. I'm achieving something positive and getting results every day."

Soon to turn 49, England's pathway to the Victoria Police was long and sometimes challenging.

"It was one of those childhood dreams. I always wanted to be a copper, but my education and height prevented me," he says.

"So I enlisted in the army in March 1981 and went into the armoured corps as a tank driver."

England's leadership ability led to a role as sergeant major of the armoured squadron, responsible for 14 tanks and 120 troops.

A highlight of his time was a peace-monitoring mission to Bougainville.

But the desire to join the police never faded.

In 2001, after completing further studies and following the relaxation of height restrictions, England took up his first police posting in Footscray.

In 2005, he moved to Brimbank and has settled happily into the highway patrol.

His role involves education, traffic enforcement and attending serious and fatal accidents.

"Brimbank highway patrol led the state in car impoundments last year. There are young people still not getting the message, but it is at least removing that offender from the road for at least 30 days."

England has remained involved with the Army Reserve and in 2007 he was called upon to head to Iraq for eight months.

"I loved my time in the army. That's why I still do it; I'd recommend it to anyone."

The two roles have combined perfectly, England says, giving him skills he can apply to each.

"My time in Bougainville and then in Iraq helped me understand different cultures and the different problems they face."

England is now using this experience to help spread the road safety message through a partnership with the Migrant Resource Centre.