Policing is in the McMahons’ blood.
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The Launceston family celebrated their latest recruit when 20-year-old Kyran McMahon took to the beat for his first day as a Tasmania Police constable on Wednesday.
The new officer followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Acting Inspector Dean McMahon and his father, Pat McMahon, who was a cop for nearly 44 years and a recipient of the Australian Police Medal.
Constable McMahon graduated 50 years after his dad, who said he was “very proud” of both his sons.
“I was 17 when I joined, Dean was about 20 I think and Kyran joined at 19,” Mr McMahon said.
“I’ve got no more sons so that’s it now. The grandkids are probably going to be next.”
For Acting Inspector McMahon, it was “surreal” seeing his younger brother in uniform.
“I’ve greeted new constables before, but this time one of them is my brother,” he said.
“He never really indicated he was interested in joining, but I guess my dad never knew I was either.”
Giving him advice ahead of his new career, Acting Inspector McMahon said his key message to Constable McMahon was “you’re a police officer first and foremost and you have a duty to protect the community”.
Constable McMahon was offered more advice from his dad who said “treat people how you want to be treated yourself, unless they do otherwise, then treat them with the force of the law”.
Four other new officers started in Launceston after graduating from the academy on Friday. One of those recruits was Sharni Lapham, who traded her role as a beauty therapist for the job on the frontline.
Another was Matthew Faulkner, who studied psychology at the University of Tasmania before deciding to take on a position with Tasmania Police.
Both Constable Lapham and Constable Faulkner said their training at the academy had been challenging, but they were excited for an entirely new opportunity – being on-duty.
Constables Maddison Barron and Bianca Howard also joined the force.