In a record-breaking graduation, the Queensland Police Service welcomed 137 new officers last week, the largest number of recruits in 26 years.
Seven of these graduates have been assigned to the Ipswich region, with four at Goodna and three in Ipswich city.
Commissioner Steve Gollschewski extended a warm welcome to the new First Year Constables.
“These new officers bring a diverse range of skills, experiences, and perspectives that will further strengthen our ability to meet the evolving needs of our community,” Commissioner Gollschewski said.
“The graduation represents a momentous occasion for the Queensland Police Service and the communities we serve.”
There are currently 546 recruits training at QPS Academies, with a further 2274 applicants in the recruiting pipeline.
Despite these figures, the State Opposition said frontline numbers were still thin on the ground, with Member for Ipswich West Darren Zanow speaking on “the real issue”.
“The latest publicly available data shows police numbers are falling in Queensland,” he said.
“The latest numbers show 322 fewer police in 18 short months under Labor.
“That’s despite Labor promising to deliver 1450 additional police, over and above attrition, at the last election.
He said police were leaving in droves because of Labor’s weak laws and a government that did not have their backs.
“The days of Labor’s chaos and crisis, and attempts to cover-up their incompetence, will end under the LNP,” he said.
“Only the LNP has the right priorities for Queensland’s future, including delivering more police on the beat through retention and attraction.”
