Hitting the beat ready for a busy summer season, are 19 new Constables who graduated from the Tasmania Police Academy today.

Top of the class, for the second course back to back, Dux and Runner-Up Dux have been awarded to two aspiring women.  Both women are academic achievers and can add the credits from the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Social Science (Policing Studies)  to their academic accolades.

Dux of the course, 24 year old Constable Caitlin Cashion, was working with Anglicare as a support worker prior to joining Tasmania Police.

She had completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology and a Masters of Rehabilitation Counselling at the University of Tasmania. Constable Cashion will relocate from Launceston to begin her policing career in Devonport.

Runner-up Dux, 33 year old Constable Kate Springer will begin her policing career in Launceston. Constable Springer previously worked as a regulations officer with the Launceston City Council.

Her previous academic achievements include the completion of a Bachelor of Information Systems at the University of Tasmania and a Diploma of Management.

Constable Jared Gowen will be taking on two new challenges when he begins his policing career in Hobart; new son Sebastian was born on Wednesday ahead of his Dad’s graduation. Mum and son are doing very well.

Of the 19 Constables graduating today, 5 are heading to Burnie Station, 2 are posted to Devonport, 6 will head to Launceston and 6 are posted to Hobart.

“I congratulate the Constables on the successful completion of their training.  Their dedication and commitment is evident as they stand proudly among their colleagues and peers,” said Commissioner Darren Hine.

“As a service we collectively look forward to watching their careers develop, but for this graduation moment, we take time to celebrate this achievement with them all,” he said.

29 year old Constable Andrea Perry is being posted to Burnie.  She previously served as Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy and has relocated back to Tasmania from the Northern Territory.

Andrea’s grandfather, Constable Patrick Booth, also served Tasmania Police for 39 years. He retired from policing in 1994 and sadly passed away last July. Today he is posthumously awarded the National Police Medal which his wife, Andrea’s grandmother, Mrs Booth, will receive after the graduation ceremony.

“We are a proud service of strong values of equality and accountability,” said Commissioner Hine.

“It is a pleasure to be able to make this medal presentation to Constable Booth’s Family, on from the graduation day of his granddaughter into the service,” he said.