61 New Police Officers Graduate and Deploy Across Queensland

From the Gold Coast to Thursday Island, 61 newly graduated police officers are preparing to begin their careers across Queensland after completing training at the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Academy in Brisbane.

The cohort of First Year Constables enters the force with a wide range of professional and life experience, including backgrounds in Defence, nursing, agriculture and hospitality. Their diverse skillsets are expected to enhance the QPS's ability to engage with communities across the state, from major urban centres to remote regions.

Acting Commissioner of Police Brett Pointing APM praised the graduates as they embark on their careers in frontline policing.

He said the new officers had chosen a profession centred on service to the community and would play an important role in strengthening public safety.

"Policing offers a broad and dynamic career path, whether in general duties or specialist areas," he said. "It is both challenging and rewarding, and these officers bring the qualities needed to serve with integrity and commitment."

Among the graduates is Constable Adam Menteith, who has transitioned from a long career in the Australian Defence Force and will now serve in Townsville.

He said joining the police had been a lifelong goal and that returning to his hometown to serve alongside his wife, who is already a serving officer, made the milestone even more meaningful.

"Service has always been central to my life, and I'm proud to continue that commitment with the QPS," he said. "The academy pushed me both physically and mentally, and I'm ready to apply what I've learned in the field."

Constable Francois Southey, who previously worked in mining and also served in the Defence Force, will begin his policing career in the Ipswich District.

He said the variety and unpredictability of the role attracted him to policing.

"No two shifts are the same, and there are many different career paths to explore," he said. "I'm looking forward to connecting with the community and making a positive impact."

Over the next year, the new officers will continue to build their capabilities through practical, on-the-job training in stations across Queensland.

The 61 constables have been deployed to a wide range of locations, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Townsville, Cairns, Thursday Island and regional centres such as Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg and Toowoomba.

The QPS says a career in policing offers a unique mix of challenges and opportunities, from emergency response and crime prevention to community engagement, with no two days the same.