By Matthew Pearce
Constable Luke Atkinson is one of a dozen new police recruits who started their first day of work in the Capricornia District on Monday, 29 May.
Following the Queensland Police Service’s biggest ever recruitment campaign, the 12 graduates from the Queensland Police Service Academy will be stationed across the region, with eight starting this week in Rockhampton, three in North Rockhampton and one in Yeppoon.
In addition to the new recruits, four “growth positions” will bolster the ranks of Rockhampton’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, Forensic Crash Unit, Child Protection and Investigation Unit and Scenes of Crime Unit.
Previously serving in the air force as an aircraft technician, Const Atkinson spent eight months at the police academy in Brisbane alongside his fellow new recruits.
He said the police service appealed to him because of the mateship shared by officers and the chance to work closely with the community.
“It has been pretty intensive but exciting and we’re looking forward to getting on with the job and learning what it means to be a police officer,” he said.
Living in Yeppoon, Const Atkinson said he was also looking forward to exploring the region with his wife, who works as a park ranger.
“It’s beautiful here, we went to the Keppel Islands on the weekend and really enjoyed it,” he said.
Capricornia District Officer Superintendent Glen Pointing said the new recruits would add to the police’s ability to tackle major issues including youth crime and domestic violence.
“The recruits will spend the next 12 months being mentored by experienced officers, but this is a job where you never stop learning,” he said.
Coming from throughout Queensland and interstate and from a diverse range of backgrounds, the recruits will spend their 12-month probationary period in various roles around the district, including in rural stations, exploring the full range of what the police service has to offer.
Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said the additional officers would be welcomed with open arms by police.
“The recruits include former defense personnel and even a former electrician, bringing a whole range of skills and experience to the Capricornia Region,” she said.
“Police play a very important role in upholding community safety, but ultimately we all have a role to play in keeping our community safe, whether it’s getting involved in Neighbourhood Watch or reporting suspicious activity to Policelink.”
Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said the Central Region would receive an additional 40 recruits in the next financial year, as part of the State Government’s commitment to boosting police numbers throughout the state, which includes a $90 million police recruitment package.