POLICE RANKS BOLSTERED WITH 98 NEW OFFICERS
Published Wednesday, 07 March, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Queensland’s long blue line has grown even longer today with 98 new police officers inducted at a police graduation ceremony in Brisbane.
Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson congratulated the new recruits, who will join Queensland’s frontline response to combating crime.
Ms Spence said the graduates, who range in age from 20 to 43, brought diverse experience to the job through previous work in the defence force, hospitality, real estate, photography – and golf.
“It doesn’t take one ‘type’ of person to become a good police officer. But it takes many people - of different backgrounds - to make a great police service,” Ms Spence said.
“These skills will add depth to a profession that is constantly responding to new challenges and demands.
“These new First Year Constables will take their place alongside more than 9,400 sworn police officers in Queensland to bolster our front response to fighting crime.”
The First-Year Constables have been assigned to the following regions:
Police Region Number of police
Metropolitan North Region 19
Metropolitan South Region 21
North Coast 16
South Eastern 14
Central Region 6
Far Northern 5
Southern 17
Total 98
Ms Spence said the new recruits should feel proud of their achievement.
“The extensive training provided at the academy, along with the considerable range of life experiences and cultural diversity of these recruits will help them bring a fresh outlook to policing,” Ms Spence said.
“As police officers, they will have the opportunity to make a difference to many people’s lives, and to whole communities.
“There are few careers that offer this – and even fewer that offer such varied career opportunities.
“With 63 specialist areas, from the bomb squad to the stock squad, the drug investigation unit to school based police officers – there are numerous opportunities for recruits to expand or refine their skills.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said one of the new recruits was following a career in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
“Constable William Rockett hails from a family of Queensland Police Service members,” Mr Atkinson said.
“His father is retired Inspector Mick Rockett and his grandfather is retired Assistant Commissioner Bill McArthur.
“It is wonderful to see young men and women follow the paths of their parents and grandparents. It shows that policing is a career that many aspire to.
“There are many worthwhile occupations, but to have the responsibility for the safety and security of all people in Queensland is the equal of any.”
Media contacts: Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491 (Minister’s office)
Police Media 3015 2444
Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson congratulated the new recruits, who will join Queensland’s frontline response to combating crime.
Ms Spence said the graduates, who range in age from 20 to 43, brought diverse experience to the job through previous work in the defence force, hospitality, real estate, photography – and golf.
“It doesn’t take one ‘type’ of person to become a good police officer. But it takes many people - of different backgrounds - to make a great police service,” Ms Spence said.
“These skills will add depth to a profession that is constantly responding to new challenges and demands.
“These new First Year Constables will take their place alongside more than 9,400 sworn police officers in Queensland to bolster our front response to fighting crime.”
The First-Year Constables have been assigned to the following regions:
Police Region Number of police
Metropolitan North Region 19
Metropolitan South Region 21
North Coast 16
South Eastern 14
Central Region 6
Far Northern 5
Southern 17
Total 98
Ms Spence said the new recruits should feel proud of their achievement.
“The extensive training provided at the academy, along with the considerable range of life experiences and cultural diversity of these recruits will help them bring a fresh outlook to policing,” Ms Spence said.
“As police officers, they will have the opportunity to make a difference to many people’s lives, and to whole communities.
“There are few careers that offer this – and even fewer that offer such varied career opportunities.
“With 63 specialist areas, from the bomb squad to the stock squad, the drug investigation unit to school based police officers – there are numerous opportunities for recruits to expand or refine their skills.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said one of the new recruits was following a career in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
“Constable William Rockett hails from a family of Queensland Police Service members,” Mr Atkinson said.
“His father is retired Inspector Mick Rockett and his grandfather is retired Assistant Commissioner Bill McArthur.
“It is wonderful to see young men and women follow the paths of their parents and grandparents. It shows that policing is a career that many aspire to.
“There are many worthwhile occupations, but to have the responsibility for the safety and security of all people in Queensland is the equal of any.”
Media contacts: Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491 (Minister’s office)
Police Media 3015 2444