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New specially trained Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs) have taken to the skies as part of POLAIR’s expansion in Townsville, but their journey to get here was deliberately designed to test their ability to reach new heights.

TFO candidates were put through their paces as part of the recruitment process, that included being dunked, rolled and then escaping an underwater cage to show how they react under pressure.

The Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) made up just one part of a two-week selection course, that was held earlier this year.

The course tested the recruits’ ability to work as a team, make split second choices and respond calmly and rationally in a crisis.

It also tested their navigational abilities, both on the ground and in the air, and used virtual reality to simulate crisis situations they could face while in a helicopter.

POLAIR Sergeant Cameron Bourke said candidates came from all over Queensland to take part in the course, which assessed the group’s aptitude to be able to perform the role in a permanent capacity.

“They learn navigation and then they are expected to put that into practice during an in-flight assessment. Their ability to work as an effective team member and a leader are assessed,” Sergeant Bourke said.

He said the underwater escape training is an important part of the course because it tests whether the candidates can stay calm under pressure.

“This is a great way to test their ability to perform in stressful situations, their ability to work as a team and support each other, and it is a legislative requirement of the role as well,” Sergeant Bourke said.

This ongoing recruitment process will help staff the QPS capability, now that POLAIR has expanded to Townsville, and is also providing aerial support services in Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay.

“We’ve had members promoted out of the unit, but we also need to fill the necessary positions at the expanded Townsville base within North Queensland,” Sergeant Bourke explained.

It takes around 18 months to become fully qualified as a Tactical Flight Officer, with the successful candidates set to undergo further protracted training to advance their professional development within POLAIR.

Constable Angela Seymour was one of the eleven candidates who participated in the course and was successful in securing a position as a TFO in Townsville.

She has been an officer with the QPS since 2019 and recently worked as part of Townsville Rapid Action Patrol.

“I primarily deal with prolific property offenders, stolen cars, and high-risk wanted persons. I love that aspect of the job, I love being able to offer community safety by apprehending those offenders,” Constable Seymour said.

“Trying to locate and apprehend that offender on the ground when they’re running from police, is so much easier with the capability of the chopper in the air.”

“It made me realise that it is a really cool capability and I’d love to get involved.”

Constable Seymour said the selection course was both a challenging and rewarding experience.

“It’s keeping me on my toes. It’s exhausting, but it’s exhilarating at the same time. I’m doing things that I never in a million years would have imagined I would have ever done.”

Senior Constable Dean Hanrahan worked within the Mount Isa Vulnerable Persons Unit (VPU) before being given the call up to become a TFO.

He was inspired by his family to take up a career that was based around flying.

“My grandfathers on both sides of the family served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in World War II, flying in Lancaster bombers over Europe and Germany. I grew up with lots of stories and memorabilia and it planted the seed early on that flying was an interest for me,” Sergeant Hanrahan said.

“This is a totally new challenge. It is totally different to anything I have ever jumped into with the QPS.”