- Queensland Police Academies record highest number of recruits in training.
- 587 recruits currently in training with more intakes coming in next six months.
- Recruitment applications are soaring as incentives lure officers from around the nation and the world to Queensland.
- Over 1,600 applicants in the QPS recruitment pipeline.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is continuing to boost frontline police numbers with recruitment incentives on offer attracting a significant number of applicants to join the Service.
The number of recruits in training has hit the highest level on record with 587 recruits currently being put through their paces at the Police Academies in Brisbane and Townsville.
The strengthened recruitment pipeline follows the launch of the QPS’ largest ever recruitment marketing campaign, Challenging, Rewarding, Policing as well as a raft of attractive incentives. The State Government announced major incentives to attract potential recruits including:
- A special cost of living allowance on top of the current recruit wage;
- Free accommodation for recruits living at police academies;
- $20,000 towards the relocation costs of interstate and overseas applicants who are serving or recently served police officers;
- Up to $20,000 towards eligible HECS debts for successful police recruit graduates.
This week, 14 officers completing the Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) program will be sworn-in as QPS officers after serving in various policing jurisdictions nationally and internationally – some of the first to receive the new incentives.
Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:
“The Queensland Police Service has raised the bar with its recruitment program – hitting this significant record of the highest number of recruits in training at their academies.
“Despite an intensely competitive labour market, Queensland Police is leading the way with significant interest in people applying to join the QPS.
“Police do an incredibly important job in keeping our community safe, and a well-resourced, fully equipped, and well-trained police service is essential for addressing the evolving needs of our community.
“We are investing $87.5 million over 5 years to support the largest ever police recruitment drive, to attract applicants who are ready to take on both the challenges and rewards of a fulfilling career as a police officer.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Police Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll:
“Our recruitment pipeline right now is the best it has been in several years with over 1,600 applicants in the pipeline and 587 currently training at our academies.
“We are in a good position when it comes to recruitment, but I acknowledge we still have a long way to go. I’ve been upfront about the challenges experienced across Australia around police recruitment.
“We are committed to getting the right people to ensure we have the very best applicants to represent and serve our communities.
“By strengthening our recruitment pipeline and enhancing our staffing and retention efforts, we are investing in our officers’ success and, in turn, creating a safer Queensland for everyone.
“The incentives are just one part of our broader commitment to providing a Service that is responsive, effective, and reflective of the needs and values of our community.
“A career in policing, is a career like no other. The sheer variety of roles, skills, situations and moments in a vast state like ours makes it such a uniquely challenging and rewarding career for everyone to consider”.
To take the first step towards a challenging and rewarding career, find out more at policerecruit.qld.gov.au.
