On Friday, June 15, 27 senior protective security officers (SPSOs) were sworn into the Service by Commissioner Ian Stewart, Queensland Police say.
22 officers graduated fresh into the QPS from a six-week recruit training program and five officers undertook training to upskill from protective security officers to SPSOs.
These officers join the Service as part of the Protective Services business group, providing protective security services to the people and property assets of the Queensland Government.
Commissioner Ian Stewart, Protective Services Acting Commander Maureen Kelly and Protective Services Acting Director Angus MacCracken with the senior protective security officer graduates
The new recruits were the first to complete the updated Senior Protective Security Officer Training Course.
The basic three-week program was redesigned to provide recruits with a more thorough training experience and instil a greater sense of organisational understanding from the very beginning of their careers.
The updated, in-depth six-week course incorporates the QPS corporate and cultural inductions, an expanded theoretical knowledge base and a technical skills component.
As part of the corporate and cultural induction, the SPSO recruits participated in the daily parade with the police recruits.
This is a first for Queensland’s Protective Services (formerly State Government Security) and gives the recruits a better sense of being part of the QPS and firmly establishes them culturally within the Academy environment.
Senior protective security officers participating in the daily parade with the police recruits
SPSOs are empowered under the State Buildings Protective Security Act 1983 to exercise, in relation to a state building, all the powers and authorities of a police officer, except the power of arrest, and share the same immunities police officers have in relation to these powers.
SPSOs have the authority to demand identification, direct persons to leave a government building and examine outer garments and belongings.
