On September 8, Protective Services Group (PSG) celebrates a four-year milestone as a valued part of the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
PSG has previously been known as State Government Protective Security Services (SGS), and can claim a long and distinguished history of over 60 years as the Government security provider responsible for protecting Queenslanders.
Prior to 1971, the security services for Government entities were provided by the ‘Watching Service’, now known as the Department of Public Works.
The Department of Public Works has also undergone several restructures in the past and was previously known as Q-BUILD, Department of Housing and Public Works, and now as the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA). It was during this time the security services were formally known as SGS.
In September 2016, SGS transitioned from PSBA and was welcomed by Queensland Police Service with the new title of Protective Services.
PSG comprises of a workforce that provides Government security services at 50 locations across the State of Queensland, including locations such as courts and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
With the person-power of over 300 uniformed officers, services include a highly sophisticated alarm monitoring operation which encompasses over 2,000 locations throughout Queensland.
This operation is coordinated from the Protective Services Central Operations Room and operates 24/7 to support Government departments, agencies and corporations.
Additional services provided by PSG are mobile patrols with an average 330 security patrols undertaken each night within various Brisbane locations.
Further, the Queensland Government Security identification card office is a less known extension of PSG services, producing over 36,000 identification cards annually for Queensland Government clients.
With the recent realignment of the QPS in July 2020, PSG has now joined the Security and Counter-Terrorism Command under Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon.
Assistant Commissioner Scanlon said that given the security overlay provided by PSG to our State Government buildings, it makes perfect sense for this team to have joined the Security and Counter Terrorism Command in 2020 as part of the Service Alignment Program.
“Whilst PSG have only been with SCTC since July 1, I’m focused on resolving their permanent structure and improving systems and practices beyond what they’ve already achieved,” Assistant Commissioner Scanlon said.
Superintendent Keiryn Dermody was appointed to the role of Commander, PSG in 2019 and believes the Protective Services Group have made strides over the past four years in streamlining processes with the QPS and now maintain a diverse and proactive group of officers who are proud to be members of the QPS.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all operational police who have responded to calls for service from Protective Services Group and provided invaluable support,” Superintendent Dermody said.
