Townsville Police Academy: All you need to know about force’s November 5 open day

Townsville is set to get 150 new police officers in the next three years – and locals have the opportunity this weekend to begin their journey to become one.

First year constable Dakotah Camin and Police recruit Dean Lee, ahead of the Townsville Academy open day. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Dog squads, divers, obstacle courses and bands – it’s all behind the walls of Townsville’s police academy.

Locals can see if they’re built for life in the force when Queensland Police’s Rowes Bay campus hosts its open day on Saturday from 9am-1pm.

Those raring to go can kickstart their application and do physical testing, while others can go on obstacle courses, check out displays and speak to officers about their experiences and the recruitment process.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris said QPS were looking to recruit 150 officers in the Townsville region over the next three years, as part of the force’s plan to add 1450 officers statewide.

“It’s very important we speak to the community and identify what a wonderful and rewarding career policing can be, and what it is actually like to serve the community,” he said.

Constable Dakotah Camin, 23, has spent the first two weeks of her career at Townsville’s CBD station after graduating from the Oxley police Academy in Brisbane.

Constable Camin said she had felt warmly welcomed by the Townsville community since relocating.

“It’s a very diverse community, and I’ve noticed the majority of the people that you work with want to help you … everybody is lovely that I have dealt with so far,” she said.

Originally published as Townsville Police Academy: All you need to know about force’s November 5 open day