Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services the Honourable Mark Ryan MP today joined Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Acting Assistant Commissioner Mark Kelly to induct 44 recruits into the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the recruits as they begin their careers as First Year Constables (FYCs).
The cohort has spent the past six months at the Townsville academy and will now undertake a further 12 months of station-based training as FYCs, where they will be assessed on their management of a range of real-world policing scenarios.
The Townsville Academy also celebrates its 25th year anniversary since its inaugural recruit induction, with 1816 recruits having graduated since the Academy first opened its doors in 1997.
Commissioner Carroll said she was pleased to welcome the recruits, who are from all over regional Queensland and have a range of backgrounds and life experiences which will be their greatest assets while policing Queensland.
"It is what's inside these recruits that will make them an incredible police officer," she said.
"With career backgrounds as diverse as disability support officers, youth workers, electricians, photographers, telemarketers and even an event manager, the range of skills our newest officers have from previous careers and life experiences will only add to the range of skills they can use to serve and protect Queensland.
"Everything our officers graduating today have learnt, dealt with, experienced, and survived is what will make them a great police officer for the QPS.
"I wish all the best to our new officers graduating today and am confident they will uphold the values expected of a police officer in Queensland."
Minister Ryan thanked the graduates for making the choice to undertake a policing career.
"It's clear that Queenslanders are seeking purpose and meaning in their careers, and our newest FYCs couldn't be joining the QPS at a better time," Minister Ryan said.
"I commend all the graduates here today and their commitment in keeping the community safe and delivering the best service to the people of Queensland.
"Your toughest times and proudest moments are what will make you a great police officer.
"It is always thrilling to witness the next step in the journey of these new officers, who bring their own perspectives and life experiences to enrich the QPS."
Thuringowa MP, Aaron Harper, said the new police officers would play an important role in Townsville and surrounding communities.
"There will be 22 new police officers deployed to police stations across the Townsville Police District.
"They will play a significant role in supporting community safety."
Mundingburra MP, Les Walker, said the newly sworn in officers were part of an historic investment in police.
"I am proud to be part of a government that is making the biggest investment in policing in more than three decades, an investment that will deliver more than 2,000 police personnel across the state."
Townsville MP, Scott Stewart, said community safety was always the first priority.
"Our police are world class and today's graduating officers have undergone six months of the best policing training available."
Queensland Police Union Vice President, Shane Prior, said these officers are entering into a job that will be challenging but also prove to be very rewarding.
"Policing is one of the most honourable professions anyone can undertake.
"It's about providing safety, security and reliability to the community often in times of great stress, when people turn to police and know every officer will treat them with respect, dignity, empathy and integrity.
"I commend today's graduates for their willingness to work in some of the most remote places in Queensland and I would not hesitate to serve alongside any of them."
Of the 44 new constables, the following allocation is for those being deployed to the Townsville Police District in the Northern Police Region:
Northern REGION
Townsville District
Ayr Station 3
Charters Towers Station 2
Ingham Station 2
Townsville Station 5
Stuart Station 1
Mundingburra Station 4
Kirwan Station 5
There has never been a better time to apply to join the QPS. See if you're suitable today at PoliceRecruit.com.au.
