THREE of Tennant Creek’s finest members of Police Squad 102 did themselves and the Territory proud recently at the Northern Territory Police Fire and Emergency Services College parade ground, when they graduated from Aboriginal Community Police Officers to fully fledged Constables.

Jarrod Williams, Patricia Coleman and Dannielle Carter successfully completed the Transitional Aboriginal Community Police Officer (TACPO) program conducted at the college between 11 May and 18 September.

Training started for the ACPOs back in September 2008 when they commenced a series of online assessments covering areas of new legislation and subjects not previously studied.q

The number of sworn Indigenous Officers has tripled in the past 18 months from 10 to 33, largely due to the success of the program.

Commander Max Pope, Director of the NTPFES College, congratulated the graduates and acknowledged their family members who were able to attend the ceremony and how important their presence on the day and all the support they had provided contributed to their success.

“This is a very important time in the life of these young constables and equally important for the whole community.

It marks a further step in Police efforts to maintain an environment in which Territorians and visitors alike, can feel and be safe”, he said.

Constable Dannielle Carter also received a further two achievement awards on the day.

She was presented with the Rod Evans Memorial Trophy for the highest academic achievement in the squad and the Glen Huitson Trophy for the most consistent application in all areas of training throughout the Recruit Training Course.