Townsville’s latest police recruits the largest intake ever, with the local regions set to benefit

The tragic loss of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold hasn’t dented the passion of the incoming crop of police recruits. See why they’ve decided to join.

The tragic loss of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold hasn’t dented the passion of the incoming crop of Queensland Police Service recruits, with the largest ever intake entering the service through Townsville’s academy this week.

Olivia Shailer travelled from Mackay to begin her first day after being accepted into the service, and was stunned when the news broke of the fatal shooting on December 12, 2022.

“It was shocking, I had no idea what to think. I had lots of family and friends asking me if I was okay,” Ms Shailer said.

“But I know the risks that come with being a police officer and it didn’t scare me away from it at all.”

Ms Shailer, one of 63 new recruits at the North Queensland Police Service Academy, said the greatest challenges she expected to face were the unknown dangers.

New Queensland police recruits Olivia Shailer and Ted Bailey near the North Queensland Police Service Academy in Rowes Bay. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The biggest challenge is probably what everyone would expect it to be. Dealing with the accidents, things like what has just happened (in Wieambilla). The unexpected.”

Constable McCrow was also a graduate of the Townsville academy.

A guard of honour paid their respects to Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold, killed in a shooting while on duty. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The new recruit, who will be placed back in her hometown of Mackay once she graduates in August, said she made the switch from her background in hospitality out of a desire to help people.

“I joined because I wanted a career that means something. I wanted to do something where I can make sure I help one person each day,” Ms Shailer said.

Another recruit, Ted Bailey will bring a fresh perspective to the role, having moved to Australia from the United States last year.

“I came from Brandenburg in Kentucky and I’ve been in Australia since March of last year, I was in Brisbane up until now,” Mr Bailey said.

Ted Bailey decided to become a police officer in Australia over his hometown in Kentucky, USA. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I was in the National Guard before and I’d always considered becoming a police (officer). My wife and I were trying to decide whether I’d become a police officer in Kentucky or if we’d move to Australia, and ultimately, we picked Australia,” Mr Bailey said.

The American expat, who is married to a Queenslander, is expecting to be placed in Yeppoon once he graduates.

“When the recruiter called to congratulate me, she asked me what I knew about it, and I asked her if it was close to water, and she said yes, so that’s good enough for me,” Mr Bailey said.

Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the latest cohort were the ‘biggest intake ever’ for the Townsville Academy.

“These recruits are due to graduate at the end of August, 2023 and they’ll all be allocated to the Far Northern region, Northern region or Central region, which is great,” Mr Wheeler said.

“We get to keep our trained recruits from here in these regions.”

Mr Wheeler said QPS was currently in the middle of it’s largest ever recruitment drive, including measures to waive testing fees and providing testing exemptions for individuals who meet certain requirements.

“We’re going through challenges like many other agencies are at the moment, be they state, federal or local and even the private sector in terms of a tight labour market.

“We’re really encouraging people who want to come and make a difference, who want to join QPS and are of good character and good background to come and serve their community.”

Mr Wheeler said for the ‘first time in a long time’ the service was able to assure people where they’d be stationed when they first enter the Academy.

“People, for instance, who want to remain in Townsville, we have vacancies in Townsville to fill, we’ve got an additional growth of 150 for the Northern region all the way through until 2025 and we really want to fill those positions with quality people.”

Originally published as Townsville’s latest police recruits the largest intake ever, with the local regions set to benefit