94 graduates join Queensland Police frontline

The Queensland Police Service has welcomed 94 graduates – the first new officers for 2014 – as the Newman Government continues delivering on its election promise to revitalise frontline services.

Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the recruits had spent the past 25 weeks in rigorous training, learning the skills they needed to help keep Queensland communities safe.

“I thank the 94 First Year Constables who have accepted the responsibilities of maintaining law, order and public safety in their role as police officers,” Mr Dempsey said.

“They will witness the very best and very worst of human behaviour but, as I found during my time as a police officer, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.

“I wish each of them the best and hope they enjoy their time with the QPS.”

Mr Dempsey said the Newman Government is also delivering on its commitment to make Queensland one of the safest places to raise a family.

“The QPS is undergoing its biggest recruitment drive in 20 years, after years of neglect from the former Labor Government,” he said.

“The Newman Government has already provided more than 600 additional police officers across the state and we are well on our way to meeting our election promise of 1,100 additional officers over four years.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart congratulated the constables on their graduation and said they would be positioned in the Brisbane, Central, Northern, South Eastern and Southern Regions.

“I remember my induction well and I hope this afternoon’s ceremony is a memory that each carries with them throughout a long and successful career within the QPS,” Commissioner Stewart said.

“The role of a police officer is like no other. There is no doubt that each of these new officers will experience some challenging situations however there will also be many rewarding and humbling times.”`

The new FYCs will be initially deployed to the following areas:

• Innisfail (2)
• Townsville (7)
• Mackay (2)
• Rockhampton (8)
• North Brisbane (9)
• Redcliffe (2)
• Gatton (2)
• Logan (20)
• Mt Isa (4)
• Gympie (2)
• Maryborough (4)
• Sunshine Coast (8)
• South Brisbane (8)
• Ipswich (8)
• Toowoomba (8)

[ENDS] 6 February 2014 

Media Contacts: Nicky Haydon 0427 705 859