97 Queensland Cops Embark on Rewarding Career Paths

Almost 100 new officers joined the Queensland Police Service after graduating from the Queensland Police Academy in Oxley today.

Acting Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski congratulated the 97 new constables on completing their training and extended a warm welcome into the QPS family.

The 97 new officers were the first recruits to swear the newly revised oath and affirmation as part of their induction, which was updated this year to emphasise the QPS' ongoing commitment to serving the community.

Alongside the oath, the new officers were also the first to adopt the updated statement of ethics which was revised to properly reflect the QPS' respect for human rights.

The graduating class brings with them a wealth of experience and skills from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, as well as numerous graduating legacies.

First Year Constable Harrison Wacker is the fourth generation of his family to join the QPS, following in the professional footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Harrison's great-grandfather, Harold Wacker, joined the Queensland Police in 1921, becoming second class sergeant and Officer in Charge of Aramac Police Station, before his son (Harrison's grandfather), Mervyn Wacker swore his oath in 1948. Harrison's father, Jon Wacker, followed the familial tradition, swearing his oath in 1979, marking the start of his own illustrious career in which he received the Australian Police Medal before his retirement at the rank of Superintendent in 2019.

Harrison said how proud he was to be following in his great-grandfather's, grandfather's and father's footsteps as a police officer.

"I have enjoyed learning more about my family and their rewarding careers with the QPS during my time at the academy," he said.

Fellow graduates Caydenn Louw and Sophie Mason are also both legacy graduates. Caydenn's grandfather worked as a police officer in South Africa. Caydenn, who received the Leadership Award joined the Queensland Police Service to give back to a community and a country that has provided him a wealth of opportunities.

First Year Constable Sophie Mason applied to join the QPS after graduating high school in 2022, joining the Service alongside both her parents and her sister.

Sophie found the academy an amazing opportunity to grow as an individual and learn how to be the positive change in the community.

"I am very eager to become part of the Blue Family, I feel privileged to be able to support those in need while gaining new experiences and knowledge," she said.

Today's recruits are also eligible to receive the $20,000 towards the HECS debt for relevant tertiary study and also received the $183 fortnightly cost of living allowance on top of their training salary.

The new officers trained for approximately eight months at the Academy and will be posted to stations throughout Queensland.

There are currently over 500 recruits in training across Queensland and almost 2000 applicants waiting to see whether they will be accepted.

This intake will be deployed to the following stations:

BRISBANE REGION

North Brisbane District

Albany Creek Station 1

Boondall Station 1

Brisbane City Station 4

Ferny Grove Station 2

Fortitude Valley Station 4

Gap Station 1

Hendra Station 2

Indooroopilly 1

Stafford 2

South Brisbane District

Capalaba Station 1

Holland Park Station 2

Inala Station 1

Moorooka Station 1

CENTRAL REGION

Capricornia District

Blackwater Station 1

Emerald Station 2

Gladstone Station 2

North Rockhampton Station 2

Mackay District

Bowen Station 1

Mackay Station 4

Moranbah Station 2

Mackay North Beaches Station 1

Sarina Station 1

Whitsunday Station 1

FAR NORTHERN REGION

Far North District

Cairn Station 7

NORTH COAST REGION

Moreton District

Bribie Island Station 1

Caboolture Station 1

Deception Bay Station 1

Mango Hill/Northlakes Station 1

Petrie Station 3

Redcliffe Station 3

Wide Bay Burnett District

Bundaberg Station 1

Gympie Station 1

Hervey Bay Station 1

Maryborough Station 1

NORTHERN REGION

Townsville District

Charters Towers Station 1

Deeragun Station 1

Kirwan Station 2

Mundingburra Station 1

Stuart Station 2

Townsville Station 2

Mt Isa District

Mt Isa Station 3

SOUTH EASTERN REGION

Gold Coast District

Coolangatta Station 1

Nerang Station 2

Pimpama Station 2

Robina Station 1

Runaway Bay Station 1

Southport Station 4

Logan District

Browns Plains Station 1

Logan Central Station 1

SOUTHERN REGION

Darling Downs District

Murgon Station 1

Warwick Station 1

Toowoomba Station 1

Ipswich District

Karana Downs Station 2

Goodna Station 1

Springfield Station 1

South West District

Chinchilla Station 1

Dalby Station 2

Roma Station 1