Eleven new police officers from both interstate and around the globe will today be welcomed to the Gold Coast.
The officers, from New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada are joining the frontline here after completing a special 18-week program.
The program, dubbed PACE, recognises previous policing experience and builds on the officers’ existing background in the field.
“The PACE program is an accelerated recruitment process because they already have extensive policing skills and experiences and only need training on Qld law and procedures,” Queensland Police said.
Their arrival could not have come at a better time, with the city’s officers struggling to keep up with demand.
The officers will be allocated to stations right across the Gold Coast, including Surfers Paradise, Southport, Coomera, Runaway Bay, Palm Beach, and Pimpama.
According to the Queensland Police Service, they will spend the next six months in an “intensive operational training environment” with a mentor, before continuing their training for a further six months with a variety of officers.
They’re then expected to be fully trained and confirmed as Queensland Police Officers in about 12 months’ time.
