The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has welcomed its largest ever number of trainees, with 587 recruits currently being put through their paces in Brisbane and Townsville.
The strengthened recruitment pipeline follows the launch of the QPS’ largest ever recruitment marketing campaign, Challenging, Rewarding, Policing as well as a raft of incentives which included:
- A special cost of living allowance on top of the current recruit wage;
- Free accommodation for recruits living at police academies;
- $20,000 towards the relocation costs of interstate and overseas applicants who are serving or recently served police officers;
- Up to $20,000 towards eligible HECS debts for successful police recruit graduates.
This week, 14 officers completing the Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) program will be sworn-in as QPS officers after serving in various policing jurisdictions nationally and internationally – some of the first to receive the new incentives.
“The Queensland Police Service has raised the bar with its recruitment program – hitting this significant record of the highest number of recruits in training at their academies,” said Police Minister, Mark Ryan.
“Despite an intensely competitive labour market, Queensland Police is leading the way with significant interest in people applying to join the QPS.
“Police do an incredibly important job in keeping our community safe, and a well-resourced, fully equipped, and well-trained police service is essential for addressing the evolving needs of our community.”
Commissioner, Katarina Carroll said QPS currently has more than 1,600 applicants in the recruitment pipeline.
“We are in a good position when it comes to recruitment, but I acknowledge we still have a long way to go. I’ve been upfront about the challenges experienced across Australia around police recruitment,” said the Commissioner.
“We are committed to getting the right people to ensure we have the very best applicants to represent and serve our communities.
“By strengthening our recruitment pipeline and enhancing our staffing and retention efforts, we are investing in our officers’ success and, in turn, creating a safer Queensland for everyone.
“The incentives are just one part of our broader commitment to providing a Service that is responsive, effective, and reflective of the needs and values of our community.
“A career in policing, is a career like no other. The sheer variety of roles, skills, situations and moments in a vast state like ours makes it such a uniquely challenging and rewarding career for everyone to consider,” she said.
Find out more at policerecruit.qld.gov.au.
