Tasmania Police has today welcomed 16 new constables into its ranks, with recruit course 3/2025 officially graduating from the police academy.
Commissioner Donna Adams and Commander Damien George attended the police academy at Rokeby to congratulate the new constables - 10 men and six women – on their achievements.
The constables have come from diverse backgrounds including former careers as a hairdresser, teachers' assistant, youth worker and fitter and turner.
The constables will be assigned to Hobart, Devonport, Launceston, Burnie and Glenorchy stations from next week as they embark on their new careers. They join the ranks of 1454 police officers currently employed with Tasmania Police.
Constable Cameron Parker, of Launceston and Constable Felicity Elmer, of Devonport, were awarded the Dux of Course and Runner-up Dux of Course, respectively.
Audio and photographs from today's graduation ceremony are available here.
Commander George said the 16 new officers had completed an intense 28-week training course and were ready to start work in the community.
"Each of our recruits should be proud of what they have achieved so far. Graduation day is an important milestone and, as they now begin their journey in Tasmania Police, I am confident these men and women are embarking on rewarding and successful careers," he said.
"A career in Tasmania Police is anything but ordinary. Police are dedicated to ensuring public safety and to maintaining a key role in building strong communities. Each shift brings a new opportunity to serve and engage with our communities."
With ages spanning 19 to 45, the new police constables bring a range of past career and life experiences to their roles.
Dux of the Course Constable Parker, 19, described the graduation honour as "a really special day" and he continues a strong family connection with Tasmania Police.
His father John Parker retired after 45 years with Tasmania Police, with his last posting as officer-in-charge at Oatlands.
Constable Parker's grandfather Richard Parker was a detective sergeant with Tasmania Police and his great grandfather, Stan Crocker, served as a state trooper.
"Joining Tasmania Police is definitely something that's been on my radar for a while. I am lucky enough to have been able to see the job through my dad's eyes and able to see how he went about it whilst I was growing up, which definitely made it easier for me to understand what I was getting myself into," Constable Parker said.
"Policing has always been in the family and definitely been something I wanted to do since childhood."
Runner-up Dux of Course, Constable Felicity Elmer, 21, said the recruit program was challenging and "definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone."
"I was pretty proud that I made it through this whole entire course, and also proud of everyone else around me," she said.
Constable Elmer also has a strong connection to Tasmania Police, with her mother, Michelle Elmer, a Detective Inspector with Western Division.
Friday's ceremony marked the fifth graduating class of new constables in 2025, with 22 constables graduating in January, 15 in April, 30 in July and 25 in September.
Policing is a dynamic and rewarding career. If you are interested in becoming a Tasmania Police officer, now is the time to take the next step.
For more information about Tasmania Police recruitment, visit https://recruitment.police.tas.gov.au/
