More officers graduate to corrective services

A class of 28 new custodial officers have graduated from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy at Wacol.

Yesterday's graduation was one of many planned for around the State in 2018 as QCS maintains its commitment to ensuring appropriate staffing of its facilities in response to prisoner numbers.

Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said QCS played a vital role in ensuring public safety across the State through the humane containment and rehabilitation of offenders.

“These graduates are joining a workforce which is doing an excellent job in an often under-recognised field. It isn’t an easy or glamorous job, but every single Queenslander is safer for their work, and I thank them for it,” Mr Ryan said.

Five of the graduates will be based at Brisbane Correctional Centre, seven at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, nine at Wolston Correctional Centre and seven at Woodford Correctional Centre.

Mr Ryan also congratulated the three dog squad officers and their dogs on completing a very thorough and rigorous Dog Squad program.

QCS Commissioner Peter Martin said the new graduates were following a fine tradition.

“I have made a point of visiting every correctional centre in the State since starting my role as Commissioner and I make no secret of my admiration for the staff working in our system,” he said.

“The vast majority are impressive individuals who rightfully take great pride in what they do and achieve every day.

“The men and women who graduated today completed 364 hours of training during the course, including practical on-the-job training experiences inside a correctional centre.

“The QCS Custodial Officer Entry Program (COEP) focuses on offender management, correctional centre practice directives, behaviour management, conflict resolution, control and restraint, use of firearms, legislation and intelligence.

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

Commissioner Martin said the COEP was based on best practice approaches to prepare new officers for the job ahead.

ENDS

Media contact:

Emma McBryde 0447 155 332