Minister for Police, Mark Ryan today joined Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Acting Assistant Commissioner Mark Kelly to induct 91 new officers into the Queensland Police Service.
The graduation is part of the biggest police recruitment drive ever undertaken in Queensland. Potential interstate and international recruits are being offered a $20,000 relocation assistance package as part of a suite of incentives aimed at attracting the best and brightest to the Service; while university graduates are being offered a $20,000 contribution to their HECs debt.
In addition, recruits undergoing training at the Queensland Police Academies are receiving a cost of living allowance and accommodation subsidies that dramatically boost their salary. Recruits will be paid the equivalent of $52,000 annually.
The Commissioner has also directed that non-sworn members of the Queensland Police Service who wish to become sworn officers will continue to be paid their normal salary or the equivalent of a first year constable while undergoing training.
The new officers being sworn in today included 72 recruits and 19 graduates of the PACE program.
The Recruit Program graduates were the first intake to partake in an extended 34-week program, up from 26 weeks.
The recruit induction ceremony, held at QPS Oxley Academy’s Tom Molloy Parade Ground, celebrated the graduates’ efforts over the course of their training before they embark on their careers as First Year Constables.
“Congratulations to our newest officers who officially join QPS as First Year Constables today,” said Commissioner Carroll.
“Coming from a vast range of backgrounds including health, science, corrections, defence, retail, hospitality, education, administration and manual trades, you each bring a unique set of skills to the Service.
“As a Service, we continue to look for people with diverse backgrounds and from walks of life that reflect the community we serve, and I am excited to see what these new officers can bring to our organisation.
“Our job is like no other, and your experience will help us make a positive difference.”
The 91 officers’ initial year in the Service will see them take on unique policing experiences across the state with many venturing to rural stations.
Throughout their probationary period, they will rotate their allocated stations, allowing them broad exposure and opportunity to respond to a variety of policing situations.
The cohort’s diversity in age and professional backgrounds serves as a reminder for those looking for a challenging and rewarding career, to consider a position within QPS.
The QPS is embarking on its biggest ever police recruitment campaign with new incentives announced last week for new recruits including extra financial support while training at police academies.
“I would like to extend a thank you to each of our graduates today,” said Police Minister, Mark Ryan.
“Each of you will play a pivotal role in keeping our community safe and I applaud your dedication and commitment throughout your training which has set a benchmark for your policing careers.
“Policing is no easy feat and each of you have been motivated by various reasons to select this career path.
“It is exciting to see a cohort of new officers with a range of backgrounds not only from across Australia, but from countries including New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Israel, Iraq, Philippines, United Kingdom and South Korea.
“Having new officers from across the globe is an asset to the QPS, as they bring with them knowledge and policing experience that will be drawn upon as they protect communities across Queensland.
“I wish you all the very best in your new roles and look forward to seeing the great outcomes you will achieve,” the Minister said.
