Captain Mark Garvey is an Australian Army solider. He’s also a New South Wales police officer.
The Armidale Police Sergeant recently swapped uniforms to serve with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor.
The Army reservist says it’s been a good fit, using his police experience as the ISF’s liaison officer to the East Timor Police Force (Policia Nacional de Timor Leste).
“Essentially I am the conduit between the ISF and East Timor Police and am really enjoying the scope of my work,” Captain Garvey said.
The ISF is in East Timor to support local police and the East Timor Defence Force to maintain a stable and secure environment at the invitation of the Government of Timor-Leste.
“The East Timor people are very friendly and that includes the local police.
“They are engaging and helpful and it’s a pleasure being involved in building the already strong links we have.”
Mark Garvey and his young family have called Armidale home for the past 10 years.
“Armidale is a great country town with fantastic people. It’s a great place to bring up kids and we are very happy living there.
“Of course I miss my wife, Amanda, and my two children aged 12 and 14 years but I also find my role here in East Timor fulfilling and important,” he said.
He says reservists bring extra skills and experience to defence. For him, the “realism” of policing back home is standing him in good stead in East Timor.
