BRISBANE, Queensland, Sept. 12 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release:
One hundred and ten new police officers will officially embark on their new careers, after graduating from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Academy this week.
The new First Year Constables (FYC) will be deployed right across Queensland, strengthening the Service with a dynamic and diverse set of skills and backgrounds.
The cohort has backgrounds in defence, retail and professional sports, while others have studied criminology, engineering and health.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Shane Chelepy APM, welcomed the new Constables at their graduation ceremony.
"Our new officers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and each brings unique experiences that will strengthen our Service and enhance the way we support the community," Acting Commissioner Chelepy said.
"Starting a policing career can be both challenging and rewarding, and I know our new constables will quickly discover the positive impact they can have in people's lives.
"Building trust and working closely with communities is at the heart of policing, and I look forward to seeing these officers grow in their careers."
Growing up in a policing family in both busy city areas and small country towns, Constable Max Rutherford saw first-hand how a positive police presence can shape a community.
"Policing isn't just about enforcing the law - it's also about showing up with compassion, consistency and integrity," Constable Rutherford said.
"I saw, many times, how one officer's kindness created lasting change in a small community -that's the kind of policing I grew up with and that's the kind of policing that inspired me to be here today."
Constable Ashleigh Murray-Pretorius credits her 14 years as a professional Rugby Union referee in South Africa for her ability to manage people and remain calm under pressure.
"Seeing the pride and purpose my husband, a police officer in South Africa for 17 years before joining QPS in 2024, carried in his role showed me the positive impact policing can have, not only on individuals but on the wider community," Constable Murray-Pretorius said.
"Recruit training pushed me outside my comfort zone but also helped me grow and develop skills I didn't realise I had.
"I've always wanted a career where I can be challenged, continue to grow, and set meaningful goals for myself, and policing offers that opportunity while also allowing me to be actively involved in helping the community."
Former QPS administration officer, Constable Hannah Bridgeman, will return to the Capricornia District to work alongside officers she credits as being part of her inspiration for beginning her own policing career.
"I loved my job with the QPS but felt I had more to give and could make a more direct impact in the community," Constable Bridgeman said.
"The QPS provides endless career opportunities and progression, and I'm excited to start in General Duties and explore the possibilities available to me in the future."
During school, Constable Emma Chay thought policing was a pipedream, but after 12 years in retail and hospitality, she challenged herself to achieve her goal of a career where she could have a positive impact on people's lives.
"In 2019, I started working on my health and by 2020 I had run the Brisbane half marathon," Constable Chay said.
"That journey showed me what I was capable of and gave me the confidence to pursue policing.
"I'd encourage future applicants to challenge themselves -you might be surprised and find something you love at the same time."
There are currently more than 670 recruits in training at QPS Academies in Brisbane and Townsville and more than 1,540 applicants in the pipeline.
This intake of FYCs will be deployed throughout Queensland in the following stations:
RegionDistrictStationTotalBrisbane (20)North Brisbane (12)Boondall1Brisbane City2Ferny Grove1Fortitude Valley2Hendra3Indooroopilly1Sandgate1Stafford1South Brisbane (8)Capalaba1Cleveland1Coorparoo2Holland Park1Inala1Mt Ommaney1West End1Central Region (10)Capricornia (8)Gladstone2Rockhampton6Mackay Whitsunday (2)Mackay Northern Beaches1Whitsunday1Far Northern (16)Far North (16)Cleveland1Edmonton4Innisfail3Kuranda1Mareeba2Port Douglas2Smithfield3North Coast (11)Moreton (7)Bribie Island1Burpengary2Deception bay1Mango Hill1Petrie1Redcliffe1Wide Bay Burnett (4)Bundaberg2Hervey Bay1Maryborough1Northern (19)Mt Isa (1)Mt Isa1Townsville (18)Charters Towers1Deeragun2Kirwan3Mundingburra4Stuart2Townsville6South Eastern (21)Gold Coast (8)Broadbeach1Nerang3Palm Beach2Robina1Surfers Paradise1Logan (13)Beenleigh2Browns Plains1Crestmead2Jimboomba1Logan Central4Loganholme1Logan Village1Springwood1Southern (13)Darling Downs (6)Gatton1Kingaroy1Laidley1Stanthorpe1Toowoomba2Ipswich (7)Goodna1Ipswich2Karana Downs1Lowood1Springfield1Yamanto1
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
