New correctional officers committed to community safety in Far North Queensland
- 25 new Custodial Correctional Officers join the public safety frontline in Mareeba
- All 25 have completed the 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program including on-the-job training.
- The new officers now ready to play their role in protecting community safety.
Queensland Corrective Services welcomed 25 new Custodial Correctional Officers to the frontline of public safety in Far North Queensland after a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, 1 April.
Having now completed the 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program, the new officers will be deployed to Lotus Glen Correctional Centre where they will work toward making Queensland safer through prisoner reform.
The 10 week paid Custodial Officer Entry program has equipped each officer with fundamental skills in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation.
As part of their dynamic, varied and rewarding new careers, the CCOs will work to stop the cycle of reoffending through the safe and secure management of prisoners and correctional facilities, with a range of roles available to grow their careers.
Continued on-the-job training and professional development opportunities ensure officers can progress their careers and develop skills to keep our communities safe in dynamic situations.
Minister for Corrective Services, Laura Gerber praised the new officers for their dedication, highlighting their crucial role in protecting Queensland communities.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to restoring community safety and our QCS officers play a vital role in delivering this," Minister Gerber said.
"Today's graduates are stepping into an important job and I congratulate them on the hard work and dedication they have shown over the past 10 weeks in finishing their training.
"These officers will soon join their QCS colleagues on the frontline, and our Government is committed to giving them the resources and support they need to make our community safer. "
General Manager Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Gabrielle Payne welcomed the new officers and congratulated them on their graduation.
"We welcome our 25 newest Custodial Correctional Officers to Lotus Glen Correctional Centre and thank them for their commitment to making Queensland safer," Chief Superintendent Payne said.
"Our officers are our greatest asset, and we strive to ensure they are supported as they carry out their often-unseen duties.
"Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and safe reintegration back into the community."
Queensland Corrective Services is actively recruiting for good, public safety focused jobs and careers including trade instructors, dog squad officers, psychologists, counsellors, cultural liaison officers and administration.
Becoming a Custodial Correctional Officer is the starting point for an exciting career with Queensland Corrective Services with a wide range of career paths and opportunities.
Custodial Correctional Officers enjoy excellent employment conditions including a competitive salary and superannuation, employment security, salary packaging and health and wellbeing programs.
