More than 120 police recruits have graduated today at the Queensland Police Academy, as the Oxley based academy celebrates its 50th anniversary and consultation begins on a move to Wacol.
The large class of graduating recruits is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s historic investment in the Queensland Police Service, which is delivering more than 2,000 extra police personnel.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined Governor Jeannette Young, Police Minister Mark Ryan and Commissioner Katarina Carroll at the induction ceremony and anniversary event.
Today’s ceremony was a chance to celebrate the graduating recruits as they begin their careers as First Year Constables and to acknowledge the rich history of the Academy.
“The Academy has grown and developed over the years, while police training and police operations have progressed in the modern era,” the Premier said.
“But what hasn’t changed is the high regard we have for our police, our commitment to support the service with record funding, and the fine attributes that recruits bring to the role of police officer.
“And, as we mark this occasion, I can announce that the Police Minister will now begin consultation about moving the academy from Oxley to Wacol.
“This is about setting up the future of training for the Queensland Police Service in new premises on land at Wacol where we have already built the Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre.”
The opening of the Oxley Academy in 1972 revolutionised the police training delivered to recruits. Since then it has been at the forefront of police methods, using technology for applied learning in real world scenarios, and focusing on help for victims, professional service and values.
The cohort graduating today has spent the past six months at the academy and will now undertake a further 12 months of station-based training as FYCs, which sees them assessed on their management of a range of real-world policing scenarios.
Commissioner Carroll welcomed the recruits into the service, acknowledging that their unique backgrounds combined with their training at the academy have built the perfect foundation for a rich policing career.
“I am assured this cohort will have successful careers with the QPS bringing with them a breadth of formal education including studies in applied science, theology, social work, domestic violence and criminal justice, just to touch on a few,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“Today, you should all be exceptionally proud to graduate from this great facility, just like many who have gone before you.
“I wish luck to all of our newest sworn members of The Service and am confident your time at the academy has provided the training to be able to provide the best possible service to our community.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said in its 50th year the academy was very busy with multiple intakes and graduations occurring as the government’s investment in new officers rolled out.
“The government’s investment in police is the biggest in more than three decades, and today’s graduating recruits are a part of that investment.
“This is win-win for Queensland, with more police to support community safety and more jobs for Queensland, and these are permanent secure jobs with many career paths available within our world-class Queensland Police Service.
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