Maryborough Correctional Centre (MCC) welcomed 15 new custodial correctional officers to the front line of public safety at a graduation ceremony held in Maryborough today.
The officers proudly accepted their responsibility in a ceremony at Maryborough RSL and committed to keep the community safe through the humane containment and rehabilitation of prisoners.
Member for Maryborough, Mr Bruce Saunders and Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) Commissioner Peter Martin APM were on hand to welcome the new custodial correctional officers and congratulate the award recipients.
"As an advocate for community safety in Maryborough, I thank all the new QCS Officers as well as those receiving awards today for their commitment and hard work carried out to ensure the safety and security of the centre and the community," Mr Saunders said.
"QCS plays a vital role in keeping the public safe. Furthermore, while community safety is a priority for the Government, so too is delivering jobs in the local community and MCC plays a very important role achieving this in the region."
Commissioner Martin said that the training the officers received in the program would equip them well for their careers in QCS.
"The graduating officers completed the Custodial Officer Entry Program, a training program delivered locally, which focuses on best-practice approaches, including correctional centre practices and behaviour management.
"The course content places great emphasis on safety, including situational awareness and communication, and de-escalation techniques.
"It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the QCS as we work together to make the community safe through the five guiding principles of Corrections 2030: safety, excellence, empowerment, accountability and respect.
"These officers will be meeting the high standards we all expect of our officers within QCS as they continue to develop their skills.
"I am proud to welcome them as Custodial Correctional Officers to QCS and to MCC. I am confident of their abilities to meet whatever challenges lie ahead and I wish them all the best with their careers as they continue to keep our community safe," Commissioner Martin said.
The ceremony also recognised the hard work of long-serving officers.
One officer received the QCS Commissioner Award, 4 officers received the Australian National Medal for 15 Years Diligent Service, and 5 officers received the QCS Long Service Medal for 15 Years Long and Meritorious Service.
