Miles police woman Senior Constable Linette Swales nominated for QBANK Everyday Hero award

A little boy who is only the second person in Australia diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer has realised his lifelong dream of becoming a cop. Now the officer who helped him achieve his goal is being honoured as a special hero.

A brave Western Downs boy battling a rare form of cancer was not about to let his dream of becoming a police officer slip away, and a special Miles police officer was by his side to make it happen.

Senior Constable Linette Swales helped 10-year-old Christopher Lowe realise his dream to don the blue and white uniform when he was sworn as an officer during the Cop for a Day event last year.

Christopher was diagnosed with a rare form of brain and spine cancer only found in 25 reported cases worldwide, and began radiation treatment in June 2021.

He is only the second person in Australia to receive this extremely rare diagnosis.

Senior Constable Linette Swales and Superintendent Garrath Channells with Christopher. Photo/QPS.

Christopher has been in and out of hospital for more than a year, but while treatment has been tough on his body, his attitude has stood strong along with his dream of being a cop.

Constable Swales said she too dreamt of being a police officer since she was a child and wanted Christopher to be able to experience the same happy memories.

“I met little Christopher when I moved to Miles a few years back during an event at the police station, and that’s when he let me know he wants to be a police officer when he grows up,” she said.

“I was made aware later that he was very ill, and I knew then we needed to do something to make his dream happen.”

Special Junior Constable Christopher on the case. Photo/QPS.

Constable Swales said it was a moving day to witness the wide grin on Christopher’s face as he put his detective skills to work.

“I don’t think any words could describe how I felt that day,” she said.

“It was incredible to see the look on his face as he was able to press the siren and ride in the police car. And he solved a crime, so he’s now a senior crime officer as well.”

It takes a certain type of person to make a great police officer and Senior Constable Swales said Christopher had those traits in spades.

“He’s got the drive, he’s got ambition, and he’s got integrity. He won’t let you drive one kilometre over the speed limit,” she said.

“By the end of the day he was promoted to Special Chief of Police.”

Special Junior Constable Christopher Lowe. Picture: QPS

Miles Police, supported by specialist units across southwest Queensland, met Special Junior Constable Christopher at the local football field after his short ride in a police vehicle around town with his parents and his three sisters.

Christopher was sworn into the Service by Superintendent Garrath Channells, and received his own personal QPS name badge and notice of appointment signed by Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Special Junior Constable Christopher was back in uniform again on Wednesday, standing alongside his colleagues at Miles Police Station for the NAIDOC raising of the flags.

Special Junior Constable Christopher was sworn into the Service by Superintendent Garrath Channells. Picture: QPS

With the return of the eighth annual QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards, Senior Constable Swales will be recognised for her contributions to the community.

“I really couldn’t believe I’d been nominated,” she said.

“I've heard the stories of people that have been nominated and things that they’ve done, so to be nominated by my peers and colleagues is to me an award in itself.”

Senior Constable Swales joined the police force eight years ago and in 2018 became the first female police officer to join Miles Police Station.

Since Christopher’s diagnosis, the community have raised $10,870 in a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with medical costs and bills.

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It has never been more important to say thanks and recognise Queensland’s frontline and public service workers, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

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