Induction ceremony sees new recruits sworn in to service

Representing the Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services, State Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke MP joined Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee to welcome 37 new police officers to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) after a graduation ceremony was held at Townsville Stadium this morning.

Graduating as First Year Constables (FYC), the new officers have completed 25 weeks of intensive training.

“Police perform a vital role in the maintenance of law and order, and public safety; and on behalf of the communities and Government of Queensland, I am grateful for the 37 First Year Constables who have accepted this responsibility today,” the Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said.

“First Year Constables breathe new life into the Service with their unique experiences and enthusiasm. I would like to acknowledge the education and support services provided by the QPS Education and Training Command.”

The recruit training program aims to provide recruits with a quality foundation so they can deliver an excellent service to the community and ensure their policing skills have developed to a level necessary for operational policing as FYCs under supervision.

Of the 37 expected inductees, eight recruits are graduates of the second Indigenous Recruit Preparatory Program targeting recruit applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to prepare them for mainstream recruit training.

This 10-week program is undertaken prior to the commencement of the mainstream recruit training program.

There will also be two general purpose dogs and two drug dogs sworn in during the ceremony.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said it was always heartening to see new recruits join the Queensland Police Service.

“The work police officers do across our state is vitally important, they keep Queenslanders safe,” Mr Harper said.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart also praised the new recruits.

“They have chosen to serve the public and while it can be a challenging and difficult job it is also immensely rewarding and I know in my own community the efforts of police are very highly regarded,” Mr Stewart said.

Deputy Commissioner Gee congratulated the FYCs on their graduation and announced they would commence their careers in the Northern and Central regions.

“These allocations are based on the resources, needs and requirements of the Service.

We have allocated 30 First Year Constables to the Northern Region and seven to the Central Region,” Deputy Commissioner Gee said.

“I remember my induction ceremony well and I hope that this morning’s ceremony is a memory that each FYC carries with them throughout a successful career within the QPS.

 “The role of a police officer is like no other – responsible for the safety and security of Queensland. 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.

“I wish luck to every officer in their career and feel confident that they will uphold the values expected of a police officer in Queensland.”

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

CENTRAL REGION

Mackay District

            Mackay Station 2

            Northern Beaches Station  1

            Sarina Station 1

            Bowen Station 1

            Airlie Beach Station 1

Capricornia District

            Gladstone Station  1

NORTHERN REGION

Townsville District

            Mundingburra Station 2

            Deeragun Station 1

            Stuart Station 2

            Ingham Station 1

            Ayr Station 2

            Charters Towers 2

Far North District

           Cairns Station 6

           Smithfield Station 2

           Edmonton Station 2

           Mossman Station 1

           Innisfail Station 3

           Mareeba Station 3

Mt Isa District

        Mt Isa Station 3

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office:                                                                 Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media:                                                                                  Ph: (07) 3015 2444