Townsville Police Academy’s largest graduation in over a decade

At 50, freshly-minted Constable Melissa Wines has proven it’s never too late to follow your dreams. The former businesswoman was among the 56 recruits who graduated from the Townsville Police Academy today, the largest cohort in over a decade.

The Queensland Police Service inducted a record-breaking 56 new frontline officers into the Townsville Police Academy today, the highest graduating number of officers at the Academy in 13 years. Picture: Natasha Emeck

At age 50, freshly-minted Constable Melissa Wines has proven it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

The former businesswoman, who has achieved success in the entertainment and construction industries, is among the 56 recruits who graduated from the Townsville Police Academy on Thursday, the largest cohort in over a decade.

The ceremony, held at Townsville Stadium, marks the first group of recruits to be welcomed into the Queensland Police Service (QPS) from the academy this year.

Constable Wines, who will be stationed in Charters Towers, decided to pursue her lifelong goal of joining the police force after achieving everything she wanted in the business world.

“When I made some money, bought my house, and paid off the car, I decided it was finally my time, and here I am,” she said.

First Year Constable Melissa Wines was the recipient of the Community Service Award. Picture: Natasha Emeck

The new recruits bring a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including engineering, Defence, mechanics, and other skilled trades.

Many of them also came from policing families, such as Kypton Warrick, son of Townsville Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick.

The 26-year-old credited his father’s impressive policing career for inspiring his decision to switch careers after working for years in an office for Defence housing.

“I just wanted something that would challenge me and also be rewarding,” said Constable Warrick, who will be based in Townsville for his first 12 months.

Townsville Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick and his son Kypton Warrick who recently graduated from the Townsville Police Academy. Picture: Natasha Emeck

His father, Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement.

“I’ve been doing this for almost 37 years. I’m coming towards the end of my career, and now I get to see him starting his career,” he said.

“He achieved it all on his own. I never pushed him, and he made his own way.”

The veteran cop shared the advice he gave his son: to ensure that joining QPS was something he “wholeheartedly” wanted to do, given the significant responsibility of the role.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski highlighted that 22 of the 56 graduates will remain in North Queensland to address the region’s ongoing demand.

Police Minister Mark Ryan noted that there are currently 2,294 applicants in the police recruiting pipeline, set to further strengthen the QPS in the coming years.

Originally published as Townsville Police Academy’s largest graduation in over a decade