Tribute to force’s fallen
NATIONAL Police Remembrance Day was commemorated in Townsville yesterday with a memorial march down Flinders St followed by a service at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Townsville police gathered to remember officers who were killed on duty or who died while serving as police continue to put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our community.
Assistant Commissioner for North Queensland Paul Taylor said it was the most significant day on the police calendar.
“It is an important day for the force to honour, remember and thank those people whose lives have been lost while in the line of duty,” he said.
“Police officers demonstrate bravery courage, decisiveness, skill, dedication and diligence, and swear an oath to serve and protect.”
Senior Sergeant Graeme Patterson said it was an important day for him, personally.
“It draws my thoughts back to mates I have actually lost so it’s got a real personal rel- evance to me,” he said. “I also think it’s a positive day because I realise there are so many people in the community who support what we do.
“It’s an opportunity for them to recognise the work that we do publicly and for us to also acknowledge them to say that we are doing it for you.”
This year, attending for the first time, were the family of Senior Sergeant Mick Isles who disappeared eight years ago near Ravenswood without a trace. An invitation was extended to the Isles family from Mr Taylor to show recognition for the officer’s dedicated service of 35 years.
Son Steven Isles, also in the police service for eight years, said it had been Mr Taylor who extended the gesture of goodwill and not Queensland police. “We have been fighting for memorial recognition for my father who died in the courage of his service,” he said.
“Whether in fact he took his own life or met with foul play or something more sinister, it’s important to recognise that he went to work one day and never signed off.”
Mr Isles said Police Remembrance Day was a day the community could come together to recognise those we have lost, leave no one behind and appreciate the job the police do for us.
“The key message should be broader to the community to come and show your support and respect for police because policing is a tough job,” he said.
Mr Isles said for eight years the family had been fighting for memorial recognition for his father and getting closer with state and federal parliament support as their battle continues.
“It’s meant to be an extended blue family but that’s something my family certainly hasn’t experienced in eight years,” he said.
National Police Remembrance Day was declared in April 1988 during the Conference of Commissioners of Police of Australasia and the South West Pacific Region and the date, September 29, is the feast day of Saint Michael, patron saint of police.