BRISBANE, Queensland, Oct. 24 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release:
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is proud to celebrate Grandparents Day honouring the special role grandparents play in their families and communities - including those who continue to make a positive difference while serving with the QPS.
Grandparents Day, on 26 October, recognises the diversity of grandparent relationships and the roles of older people in our community including those making a difference by keeping Queensland safe as QPS members.
Among the many grandparents in the QPS are Senior Constable Craig Boles from the QPS Dive Squad as well as Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) Moira Davis and Uncle Doug Peachey.
The trio said they strive to be admirable role models to their grandchildren who they said were precious gifts.
PLO Uncle Doug, who has been working for the QPS since 1999, has been blessed with 23 grandchildren including grandsons Adonis, 3 and Fonau, who was born in May this year.
The 64-year-old, who has Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, has worked for the QPS for almost 30 years and has been based at Inala Station as a PLO since 2012.
"I love working for the QPS as I try to break down barriers, including between the QPS and the community, helping people in their time of need, when they are at their most vulnerable and helping to break down any language and culture barriers,'' PLO Uncle Doug said.
Senior Constable Craig Boles, 50, has been in the QPS for 13 years, including the past decade in the eight-member QPS Dive Squad where he has played a key role in helping with complex search and recovery cases across Queensland and northern New South Wales.
When Senior Constable Boles isn't diving into challenging cases, he enjoys spending time with granddaughters Isla, 5, and Mia, 3.
"We all live together in the same house, so my wife and I have a lovely welcome from them every morning, so I feel fortunate,'' Senior Constable Boles said.
"I love them to bits. They are very precious but it's always good when we can give them back.
"I enjoy being a physically active grandparent who can run around the backyard with my grandkids.
"When I saw the opportunity to join the dive squad, I hadn't even dived before, but it was a specialist role, and I wanted to give it a crack. So I got my scuba diving licence and tried out for the squad.
"I love being in the dive squad, because it's so challenging and rewarding, you are part of a small team, and everyone has to contribute.''
PLO Moira Davis joined the QPS 23 years ago after seeing the role of Australian South Sea Islander police liaison officer advertised when living in Mackay.
The 62-year-old, who has four grandchildren, moved to Brisbane 18 years ago to help support her children with their growing families after the birth of granddaughter Kyana, 18, followed by grandson Noel, 13.
"It's the most wonderful feeling being a grandparent. There's that wave of deep love and pride, seeing the next generation grow up and being part of their lives and being a role model for them.
"And showing them the meaning of respect, love, manners, honesty and kindness.
"I want to show my grandchildren that with my job as a police liaison officer, showing kindness to humans, demonstrating humanity, being helpful in some way, serving the community, that they can make a positive difference in someone's life.''
So, whether it's pop, nana, grandma or opa, QPS extends warm wishes to all grandparents on 26 October as they continue to be inspirational role models to all generations.
QPS supports older people to keep safe acknowledging Elder Abuse happens is the start of prevention.
ENDS
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
