Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole helps apprehend young offenders in foot chase

Janelle Poole didn’t even blink when she saw officers chasing after three young offenders – she just jumped into action.

2009: Snr Sergeant Janelle Poole with her prestigious honour, the Australasian Council for Women in Policing Most Outstanding Female Practitioner award.

Dressed in a pants suit, and mid-conversation with office staff, Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole’s instincts took over.

Having spied an ongoing police foot pursuit outside, without a second thought, the MP shot out the door and went sprinting after the persons of interest.

Her stunned office staff could only watch on as the former Queensland Police Service officer burst down the street to join the chase of three juvenile offenders.

It’s safe to say Ms Poole’s thirty years in the force is ingrained in her DNA.

The first-term MP managed to catch up with two female persons of interest, while the on-duty officers went after a young boy.

Assistant Minister and Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole. – Photo Steve Pohlner

“You know what, you just do your job,” Mrs Poole said when asked about the act.

While police work isn’t really Mrs Poole’s job anymore, she said “you don’t even think about it”.

“Possibly I forgot what job I was doing,” she joked.

“I saw some police officers in a foot chase and it just kicked in. I needed to be there to help.

“Once you are part of the blue family, you’re a part of the blue family.”

Mrs Poole said she didn’t give it a thought when she sprinted out the door to lend a hand.

“I was up, and I was out, before anybody in my office even realised what was going on,” she said.

Acting Inspector Janelle Poole with a recovered bicycle that was stolen from UK resident Charlie Condell during his around the world trip. Picture: Alix Sweeney

It’s not the first time Mrs Poole has used her decades-long experience to help.

Earlier this year, she was one of the first on scene at a rollover near the big roundabout on Nathan St, Douglas.

She said there were two elderly people in the car.

“You just help your community, you help where help is needed,” Mrs Poole said.

“I was able to ring Triple 0 and give them the information they needed … but then I might have directed a bit of traffic.”

Mrs Poole said when she was on the job, she was “well known” for turning up to lend a hand without being asked – even if that was directing traffic or manning a roadblock.

But jumping in to help police in a foot chase was not something she recommended for others.

The MP strongly denounced vigilantism, and she implored the community “leave this job to our police”.

“I know they are very well trained, this is their bread-and-butter.”

Originally published as Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole helps apprehend young offenders in foot chase