Qld Police Service looks to schools in push for 1000 recruits a year

The Queensland Police Service wants to recruit 1000 new officers a year, and is making it easier for school students to make the leap.

School students can now apply to join the Queensland Police Service, in a move that could see some of them enter steady employment straight out of school.

Children as young as 17 will now be able to apply to be a police officer – but must wait until their 18th birthday until they are officially accepted to the Queensland Police Academy.

The move comes as the service reveals its intention to recruit 1000 new police officers each year for the next three years.

Talking of the push in recruitment, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she wanted to encourage every 17-year-old to apply for the QPS.

“We have an excellent program here to support young people in their training … I have every confidence this is exactly what we need and what we’re looking for,” she said.

Ms Carroll said the change in age meant recruits could graduate from the Academy at 18 and a half-years-old.

Those looking for careers in the QPS could complete the enrolment process at 17, in preparation of joining the Academy at 18.

“It will be the case we want them (at the academy) at 18, they will be out on the road at 18 and a half,” Ms Carroll said.

Constables Elanna Denais and Scott Miller graduate yesterday. Picture: Liam Kidston

She said all recruits must have their green Ps (provisional license) to be eligible.

The Service will also waive the fee of the entrance assessment test for all 17-year-olds.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said seeking pre-approval to join the QPS gave school leavers some security when looking to the future.

“When you think about it, young people in Grade 12 … can get some certainty in life by getting that pre-approval around a job in the police service,” he said.

“(It’s) a fulfilling career, a career of Service.”

Constable Kaan Burns, who graduated from the academy in Brisbane’s Oxley yesterday, knows first hand how fulfilling a role within the QPS can be.

The 27-year-old grew up with two police officer parents, who said yesterday they were extremely proud of their son.

“He’s pretty amazing … And to know that he values what we do enough to follow in our footsteps just adds another level to it,” mother Acting Inspector Elaine Burns said.

Father Acting Senior Sergeant Adrian Burns enrolled in the QPS at 17.

He said lowering the recruitment age was “a good move if that’s something you want to do”.

Const. Burns said it was important to have diversity in the workplace.

“We’ve got people of all ages in our intake, so different people bring different things to the job,” he said.