Senior Sergeant Darren Randall nominated for QBANK Everyday Heroes Award
When Townsville police officer Darren Randall was tasked to bridge the gap between cops and the Indigenous community, he didn’t back down from the challenge.
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WHEN Townsville police officer Darren Randall was tasked to bridge the gap between cops and the Indigenous community, he didn’t back down from the challenge.
Senior Sergeant Randall has spent the last four years dedicated to this cause, using rugby league as his hook, and has now been honoured for his efforts with a QBANK Everyday Heroes nomination.
The officer, who’s been in the service for 34 years, was taken aback by the nomination, but said it has been a rewarding journey.
“You sometimes become stereotyped (as a police officer) by the community, and a little bit hardened sometimes, but this has been a fantastic opportunity to meet people, and a reminder we are all human beings,” Sergeant Randall said.
His work bridging the gap started in 2018 when he thought his background in rugby league could be used to strengthen relationships, break down barriers and ensure wrongs aren’t repeated between police and the Indigenous community.
“Rugby league is a currency in North Queensland.
“I thought we could use it as a hook, a way of getting people together.”
From this, a dedicated police team was created to play in local Indigenous carnivals.
Soon members from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Serviced wanted to join, along with paramedics, Cleveland Youth Detention Centre staff, corrections staff, and other employees from the sector.
Sergeant Randall said it become so popular they created a women’s team, and even played a curtain raiser game at the former 1300 Smiles stadium.
“Police and members of the Indigenous community quite often only come together in times of crisis,” Sergeant Randall said.
“We wanted to introduce a whole new generation of police and young people in the community.”
While the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on sport, Sergeant Randall got creative and turned his focus to the younger generation.
The Blue SKY (Sport Kickstarting Youth) program was born and took a group of at-risk kids through an intensive five-day footy camp on Magnetic Island.
Of the 16 kids who took part, none have since been back before the courts for the crimes they were committing.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from the end results of these activities.
“There’s a lot of evidence out there that our program works, there are people lined up to want to be a part of it.
“Sport got us in the room, it’s what you do in the room that counts.”
The QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards puts the spotlight on the hard work, dedication, and exceptional service of Queensland Police, as well as other emergency service and industry employees who have gone above and beyond to protect, serve and heal their communities.
Nominations for the awards close on August 26 and winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at a later date.
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Originally published as Senior Sergeant Darren Randall nominated for QBANK Everyday Heroes Award
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