First Nations Protective Services Officers ready to serve their communities

Palm Island is set to welcome its newest First Nations Senior Protective Services Officer as part of a group of seven who have just graduated from the Townsville Police Academy.

Newly graduated First Nations Senior Protective Services Officers ready to serve their communities. Picture: Supplied

Palm Island is set to welcome its newest First Nations Senior Protective Services Officer as part of a group of seven who have just graduated from the Townsville Police Academy.

Among the new graduates is the first-ever officer from Mornington Island, along with recruits from Woorabinda and Lockhart River.

The First Nations SPSO Program, which kicked off in 2019, focuses on recruiting, training, and equipping local community members with the skills needed to enhance security and public safety.

The officers recently completed an intensive five-week training course at the Townsville Academy, where they were taught cultural awareness, operational practices, and officer safety.

Newly graduated First Nations Senior Protective Services Officers ready to serve their communities. Superintendent Keiryn Dermody. Picture: Supplied

These new SPSOs will now head back to their home communities, where they will collaborate with local police to protect state government infrastructure and improve overall safety.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart highlighted the significance of the program, saying, “It’s great to see Palm Island and other communities benefiting from this initiative, which is crucial for building safety and confidence in our local areas.”

Superintendent Keiryn Dermody of the QPS Protective Services Group commended the new officers, noting, “This project is designed to train and employ 100 local First Nations community members to improve community safety, reduce crime, promote community engagement, and provide secure employment opportunities.”

Since its inception, the First Nations SPSO Program has successfully trained 47 officers, with plans for further expansion.

Originally published as First Nations Protective Services Officers ready to serve their communities