While Constable Luke Kearney was welcomed into the ranks of Armidale police, officers at Inverell Police Station were introduced to Constables Mekalah Dillion and Isabelle Henderson. The three were part of the recently graduated Class 334, but were not strangers to some of the regional and rural issues that will possibly play a part in their service to this district.
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Constable Kearney hails from Gloucester and said he was really looking forward to working at Armidale. He served with 3RAR and worked with Port Stephens Council before joining NSW Police.
“Armidale is a great town and it should be good,” he said.
“My interests are with general duties, so getting in among the community and helping out that way.”
“I suppose my experience with the military has sort of flowed into [my role with] the Police. I enjoy that type of role where you can help people at the highest level.”
Officer in Charge of Armidale Inspector Roger Best said his station was close to full strength, with only one advertised vacancy now that Constable Kearney had arrived.
“It is always nice to get young people into the command here at Armidale,” Inspector Best said.
“Armidale is one of those towns that holds its police. It’s that advantage of having your police, who live here and make homes here, care about the community. So when issues arise, when we see those spikes in crime that we get from time to time, the Police take it personally.”
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Two Constables to Inverell
It is more like a homecoming for Constables Mekalah Dillion (from Uralla) and Isabelle Henderson (from Armidale) who have been assigned to Inverell. Although it is a bit further “down the hill”, both said they were pleased with their appointments so close to home.
“It’s close to home, so I am happy. We moved into a place yesterday,” Constable Dillion said.
She described the Inverell station as a very good one, despite being a little difficult to get used to.
“It’s a bit hard to find your way around,” she said.
Constable Henderson said she was looking forward to the experience at Inverell.
“I’m very happy to be home. Inverell station is very friendly, very down to earth so far that we’ve seen,” she said.
“I think we’ll get a lot of experience there.”
Inverell’s Chief Inspector Rowan O’Brien said it was about two years since his station had welcomed probationary constables to it’s ranks.
“These two officers have already been there and done their induction,” he said.
“We’ve brought them over to Armidale today to meet the Commander and they’ll do an induction here with the education and development officer.
“They both do afternoon shifts this weekend. They’re in different teams, so today’s probably the last time they’ll work together for a little bit.”