Constable Sarah Harmer, one of the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) newest officers, is an inspiration for working mums across the State, proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
Inducted into the Service in May 2024, Constable Harmer’s training at the Police Academy started in September 2023, which she described as a world away from her home in Warwick where her husband and six children live.
“Living away from my family for the eight months I was at the Academy was not only hard for myself but also for them. We managed to stay connected through regular FaceTime calls and regularly catching up on what was happening at home and what I was learning about the policing world,” Sarah said.
Sarah was inspired to join the QPS after meeting her husband, who was inducted into the Service 18 years ago, coincidently on the same date, May 16.
“After meeting Ryan, I became more and more aware of what police do in the community and the role they play,” Sarah said.
“I saw what it was like for him to work for the police and for an organisation that is a bit like a family in its own way. I found Ryan’s job so exciting. The interest just grew from there.”
Sarah is thrilled to be starting her “dream career” in her hometown, alongside her husband.
She will commence as a First Year Constable in Warwick, learning the ropes alongside a dedicated Field Training officer, where she hopes to move into a speciality unit further down the track.
Following the First Year Constable program, officers typically complete three years as a General Duties officer on the frontline, providing service and support to the public, undertaking operational patrols, responding to situations and enforcing laws and/or maintaining public order, as well as investigating general matters.
The Oxley Police Academy became a home away from home for Sarah, where she lived throughout the duration of her eight months of training, receiving a salary as well as a cost-of-living allowance.
“I am looking forward to an exciting career, something that changes every day and is diverse, somewhere where I am able to interact with the community but also a job where I get a sense of accomplishment.”
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, have the drive and ambition to make a difference, and value fairness and integrity, visit PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au to learn more about how to take the first steps towards becoming a Queensland Police officer.