First Nations people in Queensland are being supported to pursue a career in policing and other law enforcement agencies after the launch of a new TAFE course in Cairns.
The Pathway to Policing course has been developed over the past three years in partnership with North Queensland TAFE, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Corrective Services, Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police.
The course runs for a full semester in Cairns and applications are now open for the first intake commencing in February 2023.
Inspector Samantha Bliss, First Nations Liaison, said the partnership demonstrated the importance placed on attracting and supporting First Nations candidates across all four workforces.
"We have an untapped talent pool when it comes to our First Nations community members, and the course will provide foundation skills and unique insights into the roles to prepare students for a career in the QPS or one of the other agencies," Inspector Bliss said.
"The course aims to build their skills and confidence so they are competitive in the recruitment application process, but also to break down perceived barriers and build relationships so they will want to come and work with us."
She said the idea for the TAFE course came from a similar program run by New South Wales Police called Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD).
"We saw the program in New South Wales and realised it could be adapted to provide a direct pathway into these agencies in Queensland," Inspector Bliss said.
"There are foundation skills that we all have in common, and each agency has committed to guest lecturers, work experiences, academy visits, mentorship and support throughout the recruitment process and beyond."
The content covered in the course includes communication skills, ethics, fitness and team building, and includes interactions, work-based experience and mentoring in each of the agencies.
The course is open to any person with a First Nations background who is interested in joining one of the law enforcement agencies.
While school leavers are expected to be the main applicants, there are no age restrictions.
Adrian Coolwell, First Nations Recruitment Officer for the QPS, has been involved in the development of the program since its inception three years ago.
He has worked with the QPS for three decades and said it was important to recruit First Nations people to better represent the Queensland community.
"I feel we need to encourage more of our First Nations people into the QPS as this can only be a positive outcome for all and we can help and learn from each other," Mr Coolwell said.
"Many of our mob see me quite regularly at events around the state and are always enquiring as to what the job is like and about my time with the QPS.
"As a senior member of the QPS and being First Nations, I and other First Nations officers are able to set the example that we can all make a significant contribution to our communities."
For further information on the Pathway to Policing course visit the TAFE website.
To start your journey in a challenging but rewarding policing career, contact our First Nations Recruitment Officer, Uncle Adrian Coolwell at [email protected]
