RAP boss ready to take over at Academy
THE Townsville police inspector behind the successful Rapid Action Patrols team has officially swapped hats.
Inspector Joe Kitching, who headed up Townsville’s RAP until this week, will replace Inspector Russell Rhodes at the North Queensland Police Academy in Rowes Bay.
“I think now’s the right time. I’ve been there for four years and I’m very proud of the achievements the group of police have achieved,” he said.
“Townsville RAP can’t solve all problems, it’s about engaging with our five 24- hour police divisions and supporting them. RAP takes away those issues from general duties police, things like prowlers, early intervention around noisy parties, traffic crashes, and domestic violence.”
The first official RAP shift was on November 30, 2014.
The squad was made official after “Operation Adamant”, a blitz against youth offending that resulted in property offences falling 46 per cent.
Starting off with about 20 police officers, the RAP team is now 45 officers strong. His predecessor at the academy, Inspector Russell Rhodes, will head back to the Atherton Tablelands as Inspector of the Tablelands Patrol Group.
Insp Kitching will have his work cut out for him, preparing for the graduation of the current recruits in December, and for the next intake of 48 future cops in January.