More custodial officers graduate to bolster corrections frontline

Twenty-one graduates will join our hard working frontline custodial officers following a graduation at the Wacol Queensland Corrective Services Academy today.

“The Palaszczuk Government made a commitment to keep Queenslanders safe and we are delivering on this commitment,” Minister Ryan said.

“These 21 graduates have made a commitment to assist the Palaszczuk Government as well as our dedicated frontline services in keeping Queenslanders safe, and I thank them for taking on this responsibility.”

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden, who represented the Corrective Service Minister, dignitaries and QCS senior officers attended the ceremony at the Academy where eight dog squad officers were also recognised for finalising their training.

“This is the third graduation at Wacol in the last six weeks as the Palaszczuk Government continues its commitment to bolster frontline services,” Mr Madden said.

“While our graduates have one thing in common – to keep our communities safe - each of these 21 individuals have vastly different backgrounds, in particular graduating custodial officers Jai Jamieson and Ward Birch.”

QCS Commissioner Mark Rallings said the QCS Custodial Entry program focuses on offender management, centre procedures, behaviour management, conflict resolution, control and restraint, firearms legislation and intelligence.

“The training places great emphasis on staff safety through the delivery of sessions about officer safety, situational awareness and communication, behavioural awareness and de-escalation techniques.”

The latest 21 recruits have been posted to the Brisbane, Woodford and Maryborough Correctional Centres, were well prepared for the challenges of working inside prisons.

The Dog Squad officers have been appointed to Woodford, Maryborough, Capricornia, Arthur Gorrie, Southern Queensland and Wolston Correctional Centres, and the Borallon Training and Correctional Centre.

New graduate Jai Jamieson, a former after school care coordinator and nightclub security officer, enjoyed pushing himself to new boundaries and acquiring new skills during the training.

He plans to study law and works towards joining the Emergency Response Group in his new posting at Woodford.

Ward Birch applied to join QCS after seeing the life structure that being a correctional officer gave to a close mate.

Formerly working in sales, he hopes to put his people skills to good use and plans to become a competent officer first before exploring any promotional opportunities.

ENDS

Media contact: Cathie Thompson 0413 372 387