Queensland Police Service (QPS) has welcomed 27 new Senior Protective Services Officers (SPSOs) to the frontline of the Protective Services Group (PSG), following their graduation on 30 October.
The new SPSOs graduated following an intensive seven-week training program that equipped them with the communication and operational skills required to respond to security incidents and work alongside police to help keep Queenslanders safe.
The graduates will be deployed across South East Queensland, including the Brisbane Greater Region, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, where they will provide high visibility protective support and protect critical infrastructure and government assets.
The PSG capability in regional Queensland will also be bolstered with the deployment of two officers to Cairns and one officer to Rockhampton, enhancing security capabilities in these areas.
Assistant Commissioner Katherine Innes commended the cohort on their dedication to keeping Queensland safe.
“Protective Services Officers play a crucial role in enhancing Queensland Police Service’s capability to protect our communities, and we are proud to welcome 27 new Senior Protective Services Officers to our frontline,” Assistant Commissioner Innes said.
The graduating cohort represent a diverse spread of cultural and professional backgrounds, including former police officers, corrections, private security, administration, hospitality, retail and support workers from India, Pakistan, South Korea, South Africa, Germany, Colombia, Iran, Fiji and New Zealand.
Among the graduates, SPSO Joel Bowen was recognised for his outstanding leadership and embodiment of QPS values throughout his training with a Leadership Award presented by Assistant Commissioner Innes.
Staying within the QPS, SPSO Bowen was previously a constable based in Moorooka, and shared his excitement to continue serving the community as a member of PSG.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to step into this new role within the QPS, which allows me to transfer the knowledge and skills I gained from policing and continuing to keep the community safe,” SPSO Bowen said.
“The team at the academy have been extremely supportive and knowledgeable, with a wealth of real experience to share, and it has been great to train and learn with so many like-minded people.”
Graduating alongside SPSO Bowen is SPSO Grace Shah, who said she was excited to build upon her previous 18 years of experience in public safety across corrections and aviation protection across Australia and New Zealand
“It is an honour to work in law enforcement, act as a positive role model and make a difference in public safety,” she said.
“I am looking forward to the great team that I will join and put the knowledge I learnt at the academy to good use.”
For more information on a career with the QPS, visit policerecruit.qld.gov.au.
