New correctional officers committed to community safety in North Queensland
- 24 new Custodial Correctional Officers join the public safety frontline in North Queensland.
- All 24 have completed the 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program including on-the-job training.
- The new officers are now ready to play their role in protecting community safety.
Queensland Corrective Services welcomed 24 new Custodial Correctional Officers to the frontline of public safety in Townsville after a graduation ceremony on Friday, 5 December.
Having now completed the 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program, the new officers who come from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds, including 3 First Nations officers, will be deployed to Townsville Correctional Complex where they will work toward making Queensland safer through prisoner reform.
The support of family was on display at the ceremony where five new officers, inspired to start their career in corrections by family members already working for QCS, were specially presented their graduating badges by their brother, sister, wife and husband.
The 10-week paid Custodial Officer Entry program has equipped each officer with fundamental skills in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation.
The new officers add to the 71 new recruits who have already graduated and commenced their career at Townsville Correctional Complex this year, bringing the total of new officers to 95.
More than 1,000 Custodial Correctional Officers have joined the ranks at QCS this year across the state.
As part of their dynamic, varied and rewarding new careers, the CCOs will work to stop the cycle of reoffending through the safe and secure management of prisoners and correctional facilities, with a range of roles available to grow their careers.
Continued on-the-job training and professional development opportunities ensure officers can progress their careers and develop skills to keep our communities safe in dynamic situations.
Representing the Minister for Corrective Services, Laura Gerber, Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole APM MP congratulated the graduating officers for their dedication and commitment to community safety.
"Queensland's Custodial Correctional Officers play an important role protecting the community and holding offenders to account," Ms Poole said.
"These new graduates will soon be working to ensure the security of our prisons and safety in our communities.
"I commend them for the hard work and wish them the very best as they step into their new roles."
Officiating at his first graduations since joining QCS in September, Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations Jon Peach welcomed the new officers and congratulated them on their graduation.
"We are honoured to welcome our 24 newest Custodial Correctional Officers to Townsville Correctional Complex and thank them for their dedication to making Queensland safer," DC Peach said.
"Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and safe reintegration back into the community."
Queensland Corrective Services is actively recruiting for good, public safety focused jobs and careers including trade instructors, dog squad officers, psychologists, counsellors, cultural liaison officers and administration.
Becoming a Custodial Correctional Officer is the starting point for an exciting career with Queensland Corrective Services with a wide range of career paths and opportunities.
Custodial Correctional Officers enjoy excellent employment conditions including a competitive salary and superannuation, employment security, salary packaging and health and wellbeing programs.
