The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has bestowed 122 new police badges to the latest cohort of First Year Constables who graduated from the Oxley Police Academy on Thursday night.
The graduation has been celebrated as one of the largest of the year as more boots hit the ground across the state to bolster the frontline.
The graduation took place during the QPS’s Recruitment Week of Action, where several incentives have been introduced to attract more officers to the frontline.
Acting Commissioner of Police Brett Pointing commended the latest cohort of officers on their decision to enter a career with purpose and the chance to make a real difference to community safety.
“Communities across Queensland will see some new faces on the frontline as our Constables start their policing career in serving the Queensland community,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
“These Constables stand alongside more than 13,000 dedicated officers across the state who make a difference in people’s lives every day.”
Today, the QPS launched a new referral program leveraging their substantial network of police officers to find the best candidates for the frontline.
To assist QPS identify and speak to people with the right inherent motivators and values, QPS members are being incentivised to advocate for the service and the role of policing.
People like Constable Taylah Tyne, who graduated last night along with her fellow recruits.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Constable Tyne has seen firsthand the positive impact and opportunities that a career in policing can offer.
“Growing up in a policing family, I was inspired at a young age to pursue a career that helps people, strengthens communities, and offers the opportunity to make a difference every day,” Constable Tyne said.
“Being around police from a young age, becoming a Queensland police officer felt like something I was always working towards rather than something I fell into.
“Before joining the QPS I worked in childcare which helped me develop critical skills that I have aided me in my training such as patience, communication and problem solving.
“I can’t wait to start my career and encourage anyone considering applying to find out what they’re made of and take the challenge.”
Constable Luke Hauff is also following in the footsteps of both his parents, who are current serving police officers in his hometown district of Toowoomba.
“My parents and their work serving our community inspired me that this would be my passion and path in life too,” Constable Hauff said.
“While it has been hard to be so far from home during my time at the academy, I can’t wait to return to my district to start working in and around the area I grew up in.”
Constable Mitch Nicol grew up in Mount Isa and chose a career in policing because of his passion for helping others.
“After volunteering with the Rural Fire Brigade at 16 then becoming an Auxiliary Firefighter at 18, I knew I wanted a career where I could help people on their worst days,” Constable Nicol said.
“I wanted a career that would challenge me and give me plenty of opportunities to grow and develop personally.
“The training at the academy has been an extensive experience with theory and then putting that into practice to see how it all comes together.”
The First Year Constables will be deployed throughout Queensland in the following stations:
| Region | District | Station | Total |
| Brisbane Region (23) | North Brisbane (12) | Albany Creek | 1 |
| Boondall | 1 | ||
| City Station | 2 | ||
| Ferny Grove | 4 | ||
| Fortitude Valley | 2 | ||
| Indooroopilly | 2 | ||
| South Brisbane (11) | Acacia Ridge | 1 | |
| Calamvale | 1 | ||
| Dutton Park | 1 | ||
| Holland Park | 1 | ||
| Inala | 2 | ||
| Morningside | 1 | ||
| Mt Ommaney | 1 | ||
| Upper Mount Gravatt | 1 | ||
| West End | 1 | ||
| Wynnum | 1 | ||
| Central Region (11) | Capricornia (8) | Gladstone | 4 |
| North Rockhampton | 2 | ||
| Rockhampton | 2 | ||
| Mackay Whitsunday (3) | Bowen | 1 | |
| Mackay Northern Beaches | 1 | ||
| Moranbah | 1 | ||
| Far Northern Region (12) | Far North (12) | Cairns | 7 |
| Edmonton | 3 | ||
| Gordonvale | 1 | ||
| Smithfield | 1 | ||
| North Coast Region (15) | Moreton (8) | Bribie Island | 1 |
| Burpengary | 1 | ||
| Deception Bay | 1 | ||
| Mango Hill | 1 | ||
| Petrie | 3 | ||
| Woodford | 1 | ||
| Sunshine Coast (3) | Caloundra South | 1 | |
| Maroochydore | 1 | ||
| Nambour | 1 | ||
| Wide Bay Burnett (4) | Bundaberg | 1 | |
| Hervey Bay | 2 | ||
| Maryborough | 1 | ||
| Northern Region (14) | Townsville (14) | Ayr | 1 |
| Charters Towers | 1 | ||
| Deeragun | 1 | ||
| Ingham | 1 | ||
| Kirwan | 4 | ||
| Mundingburra | 2 | ||
| Townsville | 4 | ||
| South Eastern Region (28) | Gold Coast (12) | Broadbeach | 1 |
| Coomera | 1 | ||
| Mudgeeraba | 1 | ||
| Nerang | 1 | ||
| Pimpama | 2 | ||
| Palm Beach | 1 | ||
| Robina | 1 | ||
| Runaway Bay | 1 | ||
| Southport | 2 | ||
| Surfers Paradise | 1 | ||
| Logan (16) | Beenleigh | 2 | |
| Browns Plains | 2 | ||
| Crestmead | 3 | ||
| Jimboomba | 1 | ||
| Logan Central | 4 | ||
| Loganholme | 2 | ||
| Logan Village Yarrabilba | 2 | ||
| Southern Region (19) | Darling Downs (5) | Laidley | 1 |
| Toowoomba | 4 | ||
| Ipswich (10) | Goodna | 3 | |
| Ipswich | 2 | ||
| Karana Downs | 2 | ||
| Ripley | 1 | ||
| Springfield | 1 | ||
| Yamanto | 1 | ||
| Southwest District (4) | Chinchilla | 1 | |
| Dalby | 1 | ||
| Roma | 2 |
