NT Police recruits reveal their thoughts and feelings ahead of graduation

In a matter of days, 21 new cops will join the ranks of men and women putting their lives on the line every day to protect their community. Read how they’re feeling before hitting the frontline.

Hamish Clapp, Zoe Anderson and Thilina Abeyratna will be joining the ranks of the NT Police this week. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

With eight months of training under their belts, three Northern Territory Police Force recruits have revealed their thoughts and feelings before hitting the streets.

Graduating this week, members of squad 156 sat down with the NT News to discuss what’s ahead for their new careers in blue.

Local woman Recruit Constable Zoe Anderson, 31, revealed she was returning to police work having served in law enforcement interstate.

The Territorian, already familiar with the rigours of crime fighting, said course instructors had been driving home the importance of mental health.

“The things we’re going to be seeing and encountering (is something) the everyday person is not going to see,” she said.

“(We’ve been told) to take a step back when we’re not good and check in on one another and not be afraid to put up our hand.”

Recruit Constable Zoe Anderson says mental health has been a key discussion point throughout the course. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Assigned to Darwin, Recruit Constable Anderson said she was ready to serve again.

“I definitely feel like I’m prepared and ready to go,” she said.

“I think the instructors have done a great job to get us ready to head out there.”

Recruit Constable Hamish Clapp, 36, who is one of four recruits being posted to Alice Springs, said his focus was on pulling his weight in the field.

“I’m just excited to get stuck in and I just want to be able to contribute,” he said.

“I just want to get stuck in and get on the with the job.”

Recruit Constable Hamish Clapp will be heading to Alice Springs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Having traded the green fields of New Zealand for the red dirt of the Territory, Recruit Constable Clapp said he was ready for the challenges ahead.

“We were lucky to do on-the-job training and riding along with the constables on the road,” he said.

“You get to see where the standard is and I think college has prepared us really well for that.

“We’ve got a really good foundation where we were constantly learning and confronted with new stuff.”

Auxiliary officer-turned-Recruit Constable Thilina Abeyratna will now hit the streets of Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Having previously served as an auxiliary officer in Katherine, Recruit Constable Thilina Abeyratna, 34, said he was looking forward to a change of scenery in Darwin.

“I’m posting to Casuarina which is one of the busiest stations in Darwin, so that’s a challenge,” he said.

“When I found out I was bit nervous, but I’ve done a lot of on-the-job training there where I met the crew and they’re all really helpful – I hope to have a good time.”

Class 156 will march out this week. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Originally from Sri Lanka, Recruit Constable Abeyratna said the eight-month course prepared him well.

“There’s a lot of new things, like driver training, that you’ve never done before in your life,” he said.

“It’s pretty stressful when you’re first doing it because you want to pass, but it’s good and rewarding.”

Of the 21 members of class 156, 16 graduates have been posted to Darwin, four to Alice Springs and one to Katherine.

Originally published as NT Police recruits reveal their thoughts and feelings ahead of graduation