Northern Region Welcomes19 New First Year Constables

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has welcomed 19 first year constables to Northern Region ahead of their deployment to stations across the Townsville and Mount Isa districts.

The officers were selected from a cohort of 123 recruits who graduated from the Oxley Academy in Brisbane on 26 February.

Assistant Commissioner Virginia Nelson said the arrival of the new officers represented an important boost to frontline policing capability across North Queensland.

"These officers strengthen our frontline capability across both Townsville and Mount Isa Districts which is a direct investment in the safety of our communities," Assistant Commissioner Nelson said.

"Our newest constables bring diverse life experiences from across Australia as well as England, New Zealand, India, Vietnam and Africa, as well as a wealth of professional experience in fields such as defence, childcare, education, and professional athletics,

"Policing is built on trust and relationships and after meeting them I'm confident these officers will quickly become an integral part of the communities they serve.

"Effective immediately, North Queenslanders will see our newest officers out supporting victims of crime, engaging proactively with community members and working alongside partner agencies to keep our communities safe.

Nine first year constables have been allocated to the Mount Isa District but will first complete a year of supervised training and development at stations in Townsville.

Across the cohort, the 19 first year constables have been deployed to Ayr (2), Ingham (2), Deeragun (2), Kirwan (4), Mundingburra (4), Stuart (1) and Townsville (4).

Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said the first year constables would transition from academy training into operational policing with the close supervision and support of experienced officers.

"These officers have already demonstrated strong dedication throughout their academy training and now begin the next stage of their policing journey here in the Northern Region," Chief Superintendent Lawson said.

"They will work alongside experienced frontline teams who will mentor them on shift and guide them through the practical realities of operational policing and the nuanced aspects of the communities they will be based in.

"Our new officers will also contribute to proactive initiatives such as Operation Yankee Forge which focuses on high visibility policing and disrupting offending.

"Through this mix of frontline response community engagement and proactive operations they will quickly develop the skills confidence and judgement required for a long and successful policing career."

First Year Constable Montana Rowe, who has been deployed to Mundingburra Station, said she was looking forward to applying the training she received at the academy.

"I'm really excited to finally put everything we learned over the past nine months at the academy into practice and start helping people," Constable Rowe said.

"The academy experience has helped me grow as a person and I feel more confident and prepared to begin my career in policing."

"I joined the QPS because I wanted to challenge myself and support people who may be going through difficult times.

First Year Constable Jessica Lee Higgins of Kirwan Station said her journey to policing had been shaped by her previous service in the Australian Defence Force.

"Policing has been something I wanted to do since I was five years old so graduating from the academy and starting my career feels incredibly rewarding," Constable Higgins said.

"I originally applied when I was younger but realised I needed more life experience so I joined the Royal Australian Air Force and served my country for almost five years.

"That experience taught me discipline, resilience and teamwork which has prepared me well for policing, and I'm excited to get started on the job."

First Year Constable Annette Munyao of Kirwan Station said policing had always been a calling growing up in East Africa.

"Policing is about serving people and supporting the community which is something I feel very strongly about," Constable Munyao said.

"I previously served as a police officer in Kenya for 13 years, so becoming an international recruit and joining the Queensland Police Service has been a very meaningful next step in my career.

"My husband and four children remain overseas so being away from them is challenging, but they are very proud and supportive of this journey."

First Year Constable Simon Le, who has been allocated to Mount Isa District but will undertake a year of training at Deeragun Station, said he was looking forward to connecting with the local community.

"Before joining the academy, I worked in mum's nail salon, then as a correctional officer and finally a protective services officer," Constable Le said.

"All of those jobs gave me the chance to work closely with people, which is what I'm looking forward to the most about becoming a Queensland police officer,

My advice for anyone thinking about joining is to definitely do it because you'll never know what you're capable of if you don't try."

First Year Constable Samuel Bostock who has been allocated to Mount Isa District but will first complete a year of training at Ayr Station said he was eager to begin serving the community in his new role.

"I joined the Queensland Police Service because I wanted to challenge myself and pursue a career where I could make a difference," Constable Bostock said.

"I have family and friends in policing who inspired me to follow the same path.

"I've moved a long way from my family in South Brisbane so it is a big change but I'm looking forward to settling into a new community and helping wherever I can."

The Queensland Police Service continues to recruit throughout 2026 with further academy intakes planned at both Oxley and Townsville as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen frontline policing across the state.

Picture 1: First Year Constables allocated to Mount Isa following 1 year in Townsville.

Picture 2: L-R - Constable Higgins, Constable Rowe, Constable Munyao

Picture 3: L-R - Constable Bostock, Constable Le

Picture 4: 19 First Year Constables with A/Sergeant Trudy Fegan (Left), Assistant Commissioner Virgina Nelson (Centre), A/Sergeant Kellie Ordell (Right)