Our People in WA
Dani Sandover - Byford
For Byford local Dani Sandover, the variety of work as a Naval Police Coxswain (NPC) was enough to prompt a change in career. Originally joining the Royal Australian Navy as a Communication Information Systems sailor in 2001, Leading Seaman Sandover found the focus on justice and investigating interesting enough to change categories.
NPCs work on every fleet unit and establishment conducting investigations into alleged offences within Navy’s jurisdiction. At sea they also take part in a variety of ship’s operations.
“I started getting exposure to the role of an NPC while at sea in HMAS Anzac in 2004 while we were deployed to the Gulf,” she said.
“I like working on a matter from the time an issue is raised and seeing it through to the end. Every matter is always a little different so my work has variety.”
Having spent seven years as a Communicator, Leading Seaman Sandover left the Navy and worked for a year as a ‘postie’. Throughout this time she remained active as a Naval Reservist and continued to gain experience working in military policing. The lure was strong enough to bring Dani Sandover back to the Navy in 2009 to work full-time. She is now posted to the Anzac class frigate HMAS Warramunga which is based at Fleet Base West in Rockingham.
In addition to her normal duties, Leading Seaman Sandover keeps busy acting as one of Warramunga’s quartermasters helping the Officer of the Watch run bridge operations, keeping lookout and driving the ship.
In her time in the Navy, Leading Seaman Sandover has visited India, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Warramunga is currently taking part in Exercise TRITON FURY and is being assessed on its readiness to deploy if required.
Once Warramunga’s assessment period is complete, Dani is looking forward to spending some time with her partner, Emma, and their three children as they settle into their new home.