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Stars Foundation: Girls dive into police academy action in Townsville

Townsville schoolgirls recently swapped their textbooks for tactical vests, experiencing the thrill of cadet training at the city’s police academy. Find out more about the program.

Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS
Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS

Townsville schoolgirls recently swapped their textbooks for tactical vests, experiencing the thrill of cadet training at the city’s police academy.

This action-packed day was organised by the Stars Foundation, a mentorship program established in 2015 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

From obstacle courses to handcuff drills, students from three local schools dived headfirst into the life of a police cadet.

“They were reserved at first but as the afternoon progressed, they definitely became more willing to participate and ask more questions,” said Sergeant David Radford.

Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS
Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS

Emma Ferguson, Stars transitions co-ordinator, said she couldn’t have been prouder.

“I am grateful to the Townsville police academy for opening its doors and showing the girls what it could be like to join the QPS,” she said.

Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS
Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS

“At Stars, we are always looking to expand the girls’ understanding of the different pathways for them post school and hands-on, informative experiences like this, are invaluable to the girls in assisting them to choose their future pathways.

Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS
Townsville Stars students from three local schools experienced a day in the life of a police cadet during a recent visit to the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: QPS

“Speaking with the girls after the day, the highlight for them was getting to try on the different vests and practising putting on handcuffs with a dummy suspect. It was also great to see them challenge themselves in the obstacle course.”

natasha.emeck@news.com.au

Originally published as Stars Foundation: Girls dive into police academy action in Townsville

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/townsville/stars-foundation-girls-dive-into-police-academy-action-in-townsville/news-story/f49e0c0fb68b6498496063a8a49c00a4