QPS Archives - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

Veteran Officers Start New Tenure as First Year Constables at QPS

Eleven seasoned international and interstate police officers have commenced their tenure with the Queensland Police Service as the state’s newest First Year Constables. Their induction follows the successful completion of the Police Abridged Competency Education program, a rigorous 17-week training initiative held at the prestigious QPS Oxley Academy.

This initiative caters specifically to applicants with frontline policing experience outside of the QPS within the past five years. Hailing from policing jurisdictions across the globe, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory, these officers contribute their experiences to the QPS.

Their collective expertise in frontline policing, coupled with relevant studies in law, investigation, and public safety, promises to enhance the effectiveness of the Service.

Training Ground at Oxley Academy

The Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) program in Oxley offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills training. Geared towards augmenting the existing policing background of participants, it equips them with the necessary tools and expertise required for effective law enforcement.

To facilitate their transition into serving the Queensland community, successful graduates of the PACE program are offered a generous relocation incentive of $20,000. This financial aid helps with easing the officers’ integration into their new roles within the QPS.

Warm Welcome

Police Minister Mark Ryan extends a warm welcome to the 11 new officers, emphasising the value of their extensive policing experience in enriching the Service. He underscores the importance of investing in individuals and their skills to uphold the QPS’s commitment to community safety. Aspiring officers are encouraged to explore the diverse career pathways within the QPS and make a positive impact in their communities.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Kelly also extends heartfelt congratulations to the 11 new First Year Constables embarking on their policing careers with the QPS. He acknowledges the wealth of experience, core values, and skills they bring from their diverse policing backgrounds across Australia and overseas.

The newly inducted officers have been deployed to various regions across Queensland, ready to fulfil their commitment to ensuring community safety. From Mackay Northern Beaches to Cairns, Townsville to Brisbane City, they are strategically stationed to address diverse policing needs across the state.

A career within the Queensland Police Service offers a multitude of opportunities to make a meaningful difference. From protecting communities and responding to emergencies to investigating crimes and providing support, the possibilities are endless. Aspiring officers are urged to seize the opportunity to embark on a fulfilling journey in law enforcement by visiting PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au.

Published 15-Feb-2024

Relocation of Oxley Police Academy and Dog Squad Included in Billion-Dollar Annual QPS Budget

The Oxley Police Academy and Dog Squad will be relocated to the Wacol Police Precinct, one of the significant items included in the $3.281-billion operating budget of the QLD Police Service for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The substantial police budget will support crucial initiatives aimed at combating crime and ensuring public security. Apart from the relocation of the Oxley Police Academy and Dog Squad, the Specialist Response Group will be assigned to an alternative site.

The decision to relocate reflects QPS’s commitment to streamlining operations and optimizing resources. By consolidating these units within the Wacol Police Precinct, the QPS aims to create a more cohesive and efficient working environment that maximizes collaboration and improves overall response capabilities.

Another primary objective of the budget is to address youth crime, with a substantial investment of $101.6 million allocated for the Youth Justice Investment Program. This funding will enhance police resources dedicated to tackling youth-related offences, forming part of the government’s comprehensive funding package of $446.4 million spread over five years.

An extra $6.2 million has been allocated to expand the fleet of armoured vehicles. The budget will also finance various initiatives, including high-visibility police patrols, the establishment of a specialized rapid response squad for youth crime, Youth Co-responder Teams, additional early action groups, and proactive patrols by Police Liaison Officers.

Recognising the significance of early intervention in combating youth crime, the government has unveiled a two-year $50-million program to construct additional Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) in priority locations.

Moreover, the government has pledged a substantial investment of $87.5 million to revitalize police recruitment strategies over the next five years, aiming to bolster the force’s numbers.

The 2023-24 police budget also includes plans for the development and enhancement of police facilities in various locations throughout Queensland. Cairns, Caloundra South, Clermont, Cooroy, Cunnamulla, Dalby, Dayboro, Hervey Bay, Kirwan, Longreach, Mackay, Maryborough, Palm Island, Proserpine, Rainbow Beach, Ripley, Rosewood, Warwick, and Winton are all slated to receive new or upgraded police facilities. Additionally, police accommodation will be established in Mount Isa and Tara.

“Our police deserve every support, and I am proud of the absolute commitment my government has to providing police with the people, resources, and infrastructure they need to support the community,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll commended the investment, highlighting the top priority of community safety for the QPS.

“We appreciate this strong investment into assisting police tackle youth crime, strengthen our police recruitment pipeline, and ensure our police academies are world-class,” she said. “Upgraded facilities and equipment, along with boosted police personnel, will help keep communities and officers across the state safe. Providing everything our officers need to perform their duties is very important, and I’m pleased to see this significant investment in the QPS.”

Published 16-June-2023

Largest Batch of QPS Recruits Now Training at Oxley Academy

Queensland Police Service is now training its largest batch of recruits ever at the Oxley Academy. These 280 individuals will form part of the QPS’s goal to add 2,025 police personnel to its roster across the state.

The new recruits are expected to graduate from Oxley Academy in early 2022. Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said that she’s pleased to see so many recruits and she looks forward to more Queenslanders joining the service in the future.

“Policing offers an incredibly diverse range of opportunities, whether it be general duties policing, or the wide range of specialist units we have ranging from the dog squad and water police to forensics or the stock squad,” Ms Carroll said.

Recruiting and Constable Training Superintendent Josef Jaramazovic said that they are particularly looking for applicants driven by purpose and have a sense of direction and meaning in their chosen careers. He also said that the increase in recruits will ensure that QPS will meet the challenges and demands of police work.

Meanwhile, the Honourable Mark Ryan MP, the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, said the latest round of recruits is an “investment in policing unrivalled by any government this century.”

“This is in keeping with the Queensland Government’s commitment to keep Queenslanders safe now, and well into the future. More than ever, Queenslanders have witnessed throughout the pandemic, the extraordinary commitment of police to keeping the community safe.

“Queenslanders are fortunate to have a police service that is so totally committed to serving the community.

“And what we have seen demonstrates how a career with the Queensland Police Service is synonymous with a life devoted to serving your fellow Queenslanders.”

Interested individuals who are thinking of joining QPS may try the QPS eligibility quiz.

New Mobile Police Beat Arrives in Oxley

Did you know that a new mobile police beat has rolled into Oxley to provide the community with more access to services like taking witness or victim statements, reports, and conducting field interviews?

The South Brisbane Mobile Police Beat, parked by the entrance of the Oxley Railway Station, will also be going around the community to provide more police presence. The set-up will allow the locals to comfortably talk to the authorities about their concerns for public safety and security, including issues on domestic and family violence.

Aside from Oxley, the service will also be visible around Corinda, Sherwood, Graceville, Rocklea, Chelmer, Tennyson and parts of Yeerongpilly, according to the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

“Mobile police beats are an agile solution to policing in the districts and we look forward to being able to provide a “station on wheels” to predetermined areas that we identify require a policing presence most,” Chief Superintendent Graham said.

It comes the QPS recently welcomed 96 new officers, who were inducted as First Year Constables (FYC) at the Oxley Academy. They are the first graduates of the distance-based study option and received their deployment orders to serve various precincts across Queensland. They have also been issued their QLiTE devices to issue banning notices on the spot.

As FYCs, the new officers will further undergo station-based training for 12 months to improve their abilities whilst immersed in actual police scenarios.

“These new FYCs are the future of policing in Queensland, and the training they have undertaken up to this point has prepared them for the variety of situations they will encounter throughout their policing careers,” Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.

“The ability to graduate with QLiTE devices will enable these officers to hit the ground running, being equipped with the tools are necessary to perform their new roles.

“We are always looking to deliver the latest technology available to our officers to give them the equipment required to provide a modern approach to crime prevention, community safety and all other aspects of police work.”