Queensland police recruiters to meet with Victorian officers interested in transferring out of troubled VicPol

Almost half the experienced police who joined the Queensland force last year come from Victoria, new figures show, and the banana benders are having another recruiting drive.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Police Anthony Carbines joined Acting Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Rick Nugent to announce Australia’s first-ever machete ban, plus a huge expansion of knife-search powers., Picture: Anthony Lucas

The Queensland Police Service will ramp up its campaign to poach experienced officers from Victoria’s troubled force.

A contingent of Queensland Police recruiters will arrive in Victoria next week, to meet face-to-face with Victorian police officers interested in joining the Queensland force under a fast-track program for experienced officers.

The recruiters’ visit to the Victorian Careers and Employment Expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds comes amid criticisms of the Allan government’s law-and-order credentials, as it attempts to crackdown on knife crime.

It also comes just weeks after Victoria Police revealed it would scrap its entrance exam for recruits who had an ATAR of 65 or above, in a bid to fast-track new officers into training.

Queensland Police recruiter Superintendent Renee Kurtz said almost half of the experienced police moving to the Sunshine State last year were Victorians.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Police Anthony Carbines. Picture: Anthony Lucas

That figure predated a prominent advertising campaign aimed at luring Victorians to join the Queensland force.

The advertising campaign launched in January, when Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie sparked a war-of-words when he said, “Why wouldn’t you want to live in Queensland? We’re a better state, we’ve got a better government, and we respect our police, and we support them, and we give them the resources we need.”

Superintendent Kurtz said there were a variety of reasons of reasons officers joined Queensland Police from interstate.

“Many experienced officers are taking the opportunity to move closer to family, while others are moving for a fresh start and to embrace the vibrant outdoor lifestyle Queensland offers them and their families,” Superintendent Kurtz said.

“The support incentives we are offering experienced police reinforces our commitment to building a robust and resilient service, as we embrace the experience and fresh perspectives they bring to the frontline to help keep Queenslanders safe.”

Victoria Police headquarters. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Superintendent Kurtz said more than 100 experienced officers from around Australia were being vetted to join Queensland Police.

Victoria Police has 1000 vacancies, and more than 800 officers are on sick leave, many of them long-term, while Queensland has around 750 vacancies.

During its recent, protracted pay dispute, The Police Association Victoria flagged morale and burnout as key issues that had led to an exodus of officers from the Victorian force.

Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent has recently admitted morale was “not what it should be”.

Police forces nationwide are suffering from staff shortages, with more than 5000 vacancies in forces around the country, of which more than 2200 are in NSW.