SAY THANKS TO AN OFFICER ON THE BEAT

PTownsville police have been lucky...

olice in Townsville do an amazing job. The boys and girls in blue are on the front line day and night in North Queensland. Their jobs, while rewarding, put them in potential danger every day.

They are forced to see things and attend incidents like fatal car crashes and murder scenes, things none of us in civilian life want to be near.

Worst of all, they have to deal with people from the wrong side of the tracks. People who have lost hope, have nothing to lose and often see police as the enemy.

Last night at the Rockpool on The Strand, Townsville police joined together to honour colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice to the service and community,

Twelve Queensland Police officers killed last year were remembered at a candlelit vigil for National Police Remembrance Day.

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon is among those who have lost a work mate.

“I’ve been in the job since 1983, and have had friends who have passed away,” Superintendent Hanlon said.

“But they have passed away doing the job they loved, and they are remembered, and honoured and will not be forgotten.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll paid tribute to the most recent victim, Dave Masters, at a Brisbane ceremony.

He was hit in an alleged hit and run on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane while trying to deploy tyre spikes. Townsville police have been lucky, despite being rammed off the road by criminals in stolen cars and attacked by juvenile criminals with bricks no one has been seriously injured, Still, if this sort of behaviour continues there could be more serious consequences for officers.

So, if you see a police officer over the next couple of weeks take time out of your day to say thanks.

Shake their hand and let them know they are appreciated for the dangers they have to endure.