Playtime over as former teacher hits the beat

SPENDING the past eight years chasing children around a playground should stand Constable Tara Buckley in good stead for her new police career.

As one of 11 new officers who have stepped on to the beat in the Far North this week, the former childcare worker hopes her previous job may give her some good insight as she tackles Cairns crime.

“I’m hoping it will give me the patience. That will definitely help me in this job,” she said. With her mother and father both working in emergency service roles, Constable Buckley is no stranger to the industry.

Fellow newbie Constable Jake Hughes also has policing in the blood with his father and twin brother both in the job.

After 10 years in the navy he decided to make the switch.

The new officers will be split between Cairns, Smithfield, Edmonton, Innisfail and Mossman.

Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY READY TO GO: The 11 new constables, Izzy Allam, Tara Buckley, Holly Reilly, Arantxa Love, Dave Coleman, Jon Hanley, Jake Hughes, Aaron Hartwell, Jason Hanna, Matt Cole and Jasdeep Atwal, who started duty yesterday in front of the Cairns Police Station...