130 new police recruits to strengthen the frontline

• Crisafulli Government continues to strengthen the frontline, with 130 new officers to graduate from the Queensland Police Academy tonight.
• Recruits will be deployed across the State from Mt Isa to Thursday Island, and the Far North to the Gold Coast.
• More than 680 recruits currently in training at QPS academies and more than 1,880 applicants in the recruiting pipeline. 

The Crisafulli Government continues to deliver on its promise to strengthen the police frontline and restore community safety across Queensland, with another 130 police recruits to be sworn-in tonight.  

The 130 recruits bring valued experience from their diverse backgrounds, including skilled trades, telecommunications, health, real estate, aircraft industry, defence force members, chief executive officers and a religious Minister. 

The graduating officers will now be deployed to communities across Queensland, where they will bolster the police frontline and work to turn the tide on Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis after being armed with strong Adult Crime, Adult Time laws.  

After a decade of failed support from the former Labor Government, the Queensland Police Service experienced record high burnout and numbers of frontline police leaving the service.  

The Crisafulli Government is already delivering on its commitment to reverse the declining police numbers and has delivered a net headcount increase of 283 officers in just over six months, compared to Labor which only increased the headcount by 174 police officers over four years. 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the graduation was a clear signal of the Crisafulli Government’s determination to rebuild a police service left under-resourced by Labor. 

“These recruits are stepping into service at a critical time,” Minister Purdie said. 

“Under Labor, police numbers stagnated, youth crime soared, and our communities paid the price. 

“The Crisafulli Government promised to restore safety, and tonight’s graduation is tangible proof that we are keeping that promise. 

“These 130 new officers will make an immediate difference in the regions and cities they serve, adding strength, visibility, and vital support for their fellow officers. 

“Queenslanders want to feel safe, and they deserve a Government that backs its police. 

“That’s exactly what the Crisafulli Government is doing through stronger laws, better resources, and a genuine partnership with the men and women who keep our communities safe.” 

Acting Commissioner of Police Shane Chelepy congratulated the new officers on the commitment shown to reach this landmark career milestone and welcomed them to the QPS.