Meet newest Far North Queenslaned police officer Narender Kola

Constable Narender Kolan, who will be stationed in Gordonvale, says becoming a police officer has always been his “dream”. Meet him and the other officers taking to the beat across Far North Queensland.

Narender Kolan was inspired by his late grandfather. “No one came in and out (of town) without knowing him,” Constable Kolan said. Picture: Evan Morgan

Constable Narender Kolan has worked plenty of “odd jobs” since arriving in Australia 10 years ago, but has now fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a police officer.

“I had a passion to become a police officer when I was young, because my grandfather used to be a cop back in India,” Constable Kolan said.

Constable Kolan is one of 55 officers who recently graduated from the Townsville Police Academy, 12 of which are coming to Far North Queensland.

Constable Kolan, who will be stationed in Gordonvale, came to Australia a decade ago so his wife could undertake higher education.

New police recruits at the Townsville Stadium. Recruits Deng Mading, Lachlan Giarrusso, Sian French, Sam (Samantha) Menteith, Narender Kolan and Jesse Kinbacher. Picture: Evan Morgan

He spent seven years in Brisbane before moving to Cairns, and has worked in customer service, at a laundry and as a public servant at Services Australia.

“I thought, I’ve already done my 10 years,” Constable Kolan said.

“So I asked my wife and my kid if they (were) okay with me getting into this job. They said, yeah, you can go ahead. They said they (were) going to support me.”

The graduating cohort underwent a 36-week training program, which included helping with clean-up efforts during the recent floods in Townsville.

“I’m happy,” Constable Kolan said.

“It’s my dream job. Finally, I made it … I’m looking forward to my station.

“(Cairns) is a home now, so I hope I’m going to stay there.”

One other graduate will be stationed in Gordonvale alongside Constable Kolan, and three other graduates will be stationed in Cairns.

Originally published as Meet newest Far North Queenslaned police officer Narender Kola