Page 95 - Port Douglas Magazine 34

“My greatest
inspiration is my wife,
Maggie. She is the

most selfless person

I know. She always

thinks of others and
has the greatest work
ethic I’ve ever seen.”

Damian’s wife Maggie, and two daughters at the viewing platform on Flagstaff Hill.

6. Any advice to those thinking of pursuing a to Port Douglas in regional or country Queensland mentionable is the wandering crocodile in
career in the Police Force? And personally, what with only one posting to a major centre, Surfers suburbia. It was raining lightly at about 2:00am
attributes have helped you succeed in your role? Paradise, as a young Constable. I love immersing when my partner and I turning into Ulysses
myself within the community and actively Avenue from Old Port Road, I saw something

There are many difference facets within the contributing to the community to make it a better in the headlights walking on the left-hand side

policing environment, and you can specialise in place and I knew Port Douglas was somewhere of the roadway and at first, I thought, that’s one

many areas. The catch cry “we don’t do boring” I could do that. I was at a country station when fat dog. It didn’t take long to realise it was a

is so true. Every day can be different, and I have my position was advertised, and I told my wife 2.7m estuarine (saltwater) crocodile. Now I’ll be
Sergeant Damian Meadows on the job on Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas had many very rewarding experiences in my I wanted to give it a go. I was very fortunate to honest, I’ve done some stupid things in my career
career. If you like helping people and making a achieve the position and I think I have made some so far, but wrestling a crocodile was not going

difference, this could be the job for you. I have impact on the community, making it a safer place to be one of them. We watched it cross the road
been fortunate enough to be involved in some for everyone to enjoy. I’ve never regretted any and my partner asked, “What are we going to do?”
incidents throughout my career that have resulted posting during my service. However Port Douglas Getting out the car was not entering my mind
in good outcomes. As you near the end of your is by far the best community I have had the real fast, so I decided to follow it and see where
career, those moments make you realise that you privilege to serve. it intended to go. It didn’t take long to realise it

did make a difference to someone’s life for the intended to make a house call and went right up

better. They are the most important things you 8. Who inspires you and what excites you about to someone’s front door. It was then that I realise
can do. The reward is in the knowledge you made future developments in your field? this was next level and if the occupants came to

that difference. Awards and fanfare cannot replace the front door to see what the commotion was,

that knowledge. My greatest inspiration is my wife, Maggie. She is
the most selfless person I know. She always thinks they could well be dinner. Fortunately, with some

Empathy and compassion are very important. You of others and has the greatest work ethic I’ve ever manoeuvring of the police car, the reptile moved
need to be approachable and an active listener, seen. She is an operational police officer, fantastic away from the front door just as the occupant

engaging and selfless. Giving your time to make role model to our two daughters and when you’ve came home on a local shuttle with a few beers
a change for the whole community is important. had a bad day at the office, she just knows how to onboard and walked straight past the uninvited

Taking ownership and pride in your community listen and what to say. visitor. I called his mobile and asked him to
and accepting responsibility for your staff is remain inside while we continued ‘herding’ the

important. At the end of the day, we are blessed Policing has changed significantly in my time. The trespasser to a place of safety. A short time later

and owe a lot to our very supportive community technology at our fingertips nowadays and the it was crisis averted. The smiling crocodile was
as they make our work so much easier. way we are doing business is arguably the best in trapped by the experts a few days later in Ferndale
the nation. Our Commissioner is a very forward- Lake and now lives the good life at Hartley’s
7. What attracted you to Port Douglas above thinking leader, and she is taking us forward with Crocodile Farm, just down the road.
other destinations? even greater technologies, legislation and support

than we have ever had before. It’s a very exciting 10. Coffee or Wine?
I was fortunate enough to grow up just down time to be part of this organisation and I look

the road in Cairns. I remember coming to Port forward to what the future holds for policing, Being an operational shift worker coffee is a must,
Douglas and Mossman with my parents as a child both at a state level and nationally. but I do enjoy a good wine on occasion when I get
and always had fond memories of my time in the the chance.
region. I can recall whinging to dad how cold the 9. Any particularly interesting cases you have had We thank you Sergeant Damian Meadows for your
water was in the Mossman Gorge and his standard to respond to or a funny story you can share? time and your service!
response was “I didn’t drive all this way for

nothing” before pushing me in. Once you were in There’s been a few in my time as the Officer in
Charge in Port Douglas but perhaps the most
it was fine. I completed most of my career prior

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 95