Top Athletes Join Queensland Police
Four athletes with international sporting experience - including a rugby league player, cricketer, touch footballer and soccer player - today swapped their jerseys for uniforms when they joined the ranks of the Queensland Police Service.
Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson congratulated the new recruits, who were among 114 First Year Constables to join Queensland’s frontline response to combating crime.
Ms Spence said the graduates, who range in age from 22 to 46, brought diverse experience to the job through previous work in the defence force, hospitality, education, finance - and sport.
“It doesn’t take one ‘type’ of person to become a good police officer. But it takes many people - of different backgrounds - to make a great police service,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Police Service already has many sporting achievers in its ranks, including a very successful team of officers who represent Queensland in the annual Police Games.
“These skills translate well in to the Service, which prides itself on team work and personal goal setting - not to mention physical fitness - and add depth to a profession that is constantly responding to new challenges and demands.”
“As police officers, they will have the opportunity to make a difference to many people’s lives, and to whole communities,” Ms Spence said.
“There are few careers that offer this - and even fewer that offer such varied career opportunities.
“With 63 specialist areas, from the bomb squad to the stock squad, the drug investigation unit to school based police officers - there are numerous opportunities for recruits to expand or refine their skills.”
Commissioner Atkinson said the new recruits will perform an important role in the maintenance of law and order, public safety and the protection of property.
“It is always encouraging to see new officers as they bring a mix of enthusiasm, skill and life experience to the service,” he said.
“There are many worthwhile occupations, but to have the responsibility for the safety and security of all people in Queensland is the equal of any.”
The four athletes are:
Constable Paul Bell played in the National Rugby League competition for the Cronulla Sharks 1990-1994, Western Suburbs Magpies 1995 and 1996, Perth Reds 1997 and Melbourne Storm 1998 and 1999. He was part of the Melbourne Storm premiership team in 1999 and played Super League for Leeds Rhino’s England 2000.
Constable Louise Broadfoot played cricket for Victoria 1996-2005, played for Queensland in the 2005-06 season and played for Australia in the 2000 World Cup, 2001 Ashes tour and 2005 World Cup.
Constable Amanda Bourne has represented Queensland and Australia at school level for touch football and for Queensland in the Open Women’s and mixed competitions. She is currently in the Queensland Women’s over 30’s team to play in the State of Origin against New South Wales in August. She has been selected in the Australian Women’s over 30’s training squad for the World Cup in South Africa next year.
Constable Martin Lynch played for Queens Park Football Club in Scotland in 1993 and was signed for Green Gully Premier State League Soccer Club in Melbourne in 1996. After returning to Scotland in 1996 he finally immigrated to Australia in 1999. He played in a NSW representative side in the Australia and New Zealand Police Games on the Gold Coast.
