46 recruits join Queensland Police ranks

Police Minister Jack Dempsey has welcomed 46 new police officers into the Queensland Police Service at an induction ceremony in Townsville today.

Mr Dempsey said all the recruits had successfully completed the Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) Program having been former Queensland police officers or officers from other Australian or overseas jurisdictions.

“The 46 First Year Constables have accepted a great responsibility to maintain law and order and public safety and I thank them for their dedication to Queensland,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Each new officer brings past knowledge and policing experience that will be drawn upon as they honour the oath of serving and protecting communities across the state.

“These officers will help create a safe environment to ensure Queensland remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

“It is particularly pleasing to see an injection of 17 additional experienced FYCs to Logan.”

The PACE program is designed to enhance their already established policing skills and to develop competence to a level which will let them effectively perform their duties in the Queensland Police Service.

These recruits cover essentially the same material as the general recruitment program with some content reduction in recognition of prior experience and knowledge.

Commissioner Ian Stewart congratulated the FYCs on their graduation and announced they would be deployed to Central, Northern, Far Northern, Metropolitan North, Metropolitan South, North Coast, South Eastern and Southern regions to further their policing careers.

“These allocations are based on the resources, needs and requirements of the Service. We have six FYCs allocated to the Townsville District, one to Cairns, one to Rockhampton, two to Mackay, three to the Gold Coast, two to Coomera, five to Ipswich, 10 in the Districts in the Brisbane metropolitan areas and 17 to Logan,” Commissioner Stewart said.

“The PACE program recognises the value of previous policing experience and the skills that can be adapted and enhanced to be become an officer with the Queensland Police Service. Their previous experiences and backgrounds add to the diversity in the Queensland community and enhance the understanding and cooperation between police and the community.  

“They all possess previous education, training, policing experience and cultural backgrounds which will add significantly to their policing abilities and community engagement.

“I wish every officer all the best in their career and feel confident they will uphold the QPS standards of excellence and service.”

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

• Cairns (1)
• Townsville (6)
• Mackay (2)
• Rockhampton (1)
• Gympie (1)
• Caboolture (1)
• Redcliffe (1)
• North Brisbane (2)
• Brisbane Central (2)
• Brisbane West (1)
• Ipswich (4)
• Logan (17)
• Gold Coast (3)
• Coomera (2)