Fresh faces in blue: Townsville welcomes 10 new First Year Constables

Ten new First Year Constables, with backgrounds ranging from detention centre work to university criminology studies, have hit the beat in Townsville and Ayr this week.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson (centre) welcomed 10 First Year Constables this week. Picture: Supplied

Ten new First Year Constables, with backgrounds ranging from detention centre work to university criminology studies, have hit the beat in Townsville and Ayr this week.

Fresh from their graduation at Oxley Academy, the new recruits received a warm welcome from Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson on Monday.

The group, comprising eight men and two women, will soon fan out across the region.

Ayr, Kirwan, and Mundingburra Stations will each get two new additions, while Townsville Station will gain four fresh faces.

Constable Darcy Bourke, heading to Ayr Station before relocating to Mount Isa in his second year, shared his motivations for joining up.

“I’ve previously worked as an office administrator with QPS in the recruiting field while I also studied criminology and criminal justice at university,” he said.

“Long term I would love to become a detective and head to a smaller town again, but for now I’m just excited to get started, and see what happens and where the job will take me.”

Constable Kristy McComb, another promising recruit, is heading to Townsville Station with high hopes.

“I went to university straight from high school, completed an Honours degree in criminology and criminal justice, and I’d love to further my studies in law perhaps after my first year when I have a better understanding of the job,” she said.

“I love the idea of working in prosecutions but am equally looking forward to exploring all things policing.

“I don’t have any expectations of what to expect other than its going to be busy, but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store.”

Over the next 12 months, these new constables will dive into on-the-road training, applying their academy knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Originally published as Fresh faces in blue: Townsville welcomes 10 new First Year Constables