Dissatisfied Queensland Police have left the service in droves joining those reported 1500 officers who have been pushed out by Covid vaxx mandates, regional officers claim.

Muslim police officers from Iran are welcome to apply

Police sources say there is much discontent within the service with one senior officer claiming present Labor Party-appointed Commissioner Katarina Carroll is the problem.

“Ïf she doesn’t go soon there will be no police left anyway,” one officer said.

At least 196 senior officers across the state were exempted from the mandatory Covid jab in 2021, which did not go unnoticed by the rank and file.

Desperately trying to make up sufficient numbers to fill shifts, foreign nationals with policing experience will be eligible to apply to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) under a new labour agreement between the State and Federal Governments. 

The QPS has approval for 500 new international recruits to join the service each year, for five years.

The agreement, the broadest of its kind among Australia’s policing jurisdictions, allows the QPS to recruit international police officers without the requirement to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

All police officers recruited under the new labour agreement will be required to pass the QPS’ recruit testing and vetting.

Depending on the level and recency of their experience, successful recruits will be trained through either the existing Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) program or the mainstream recruit training program, ensuring they meet the standards of the QPS.

At the completion of their training, the newest recruits will be stationed across Queensland to commence their First Year Constable program, with the opportunity to expedite this program and enter the service up to the rank of Senior Constable.

“This is a commitment from the Queensland Government to bring international police talent to Queensland,” Minister Ryan said.

“This is a win-win. It’s an unprecedented opportunity for the Queensland Police Service to significantly expand the diversity of its workforce, while providing a unique opportunity for people around the world to join a world-class police organisation.

“There really is no better state to be a police officer and this new labour agreement shows the joint dedication of the Queensland Government and QPS to remove barriers for experienced talent to come into the organisation.”

“The ability to recruit beyond Australia’s borders will strengthen the Queensland Police Service’s efforts in recruiting police officers for the state.

“I’m excited to welcome international police officers to our Queensland community and hope they enjoy everything that our state has to offer.”

“This is the second labour agreement for state and territory police forces we have finalised since coming to Government,” Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles said.

“The federal Government continues to take important steps to clean up the mess in our immigration system left by the former Liberal National Government.

“The visa backlog is down from almost a million visa applications to fewer than 600,000.”

Chinese police officers could apply, joining their counterparts at Box Hill police station in Victoria

“This agreement is the biggest opportunity for internationally experienced officers to work in Queensland,” Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.

“The new labour agreement goes beyond what has been offered by any other police organisation in Australia, allowing experienced officers from any country the chance to work for the Queensland Police Service and bring their own unique experiences, knowledge and skills to our organisation,” Commissioner Carroll said.

“This is the biggest opportunity that we have offered for international police who are looking for a career in one of the most beautiful places in the world which has so much to offer – from fast paced operations within our major cities, to regional policing in communities in the tropics.”

“While the QPS is already a popular choice for internationals with permanent residency, I expect this agreement will remove barriers for others looking to move abroad.

“With this new agreement, I expect interest from international police officers to greatly increase.

“I joined the Queensland Police 40 years ago, and I can say from personal experience that policing in this state has everything to offer – there is something for everyone and every lifestyle.

“To officers out there who might be thinking about a move abroad, now is the time. Come and join the Queensland Police Service.”

“We have been acutely aware police recruiting needs to be a priority and we have been working with Government to develop new ideas to attract applicants,” Mr Leavers said.

“500 additional police each year for the next five years, bringing a range of different experiences and skill sets will be greatly appreciated amongst those already on the frontline.

“I’m confident international police will see this as a rewarding opportunity to use their abilities in a new environment that can really assist in making our communities a better and safer place along with the added benefit of living in Queensland.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

  • Foreign police officers are now eligible to apply to the Queensland Police Service under the new agreement.
  • The agreement is the broadest of its kind, with no restrictions on nationality of applicants.
  • Applicants must hold a substantive 457 or TSS visa issued under the labour agreement to be granted a position.
  • Applicants with comparable policing experience will be trained under the existing Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) program, others will be required to partake in the mainstream recruit training.

For more information on applying to the Queensland Police Service, visit www.policerecruit.com.au