Experienced constables join Gold Coast
Gold Coast will gain six new constables as QPS welcomes experienced officers from Australia and overseas services.
What’s happening?
Gold Coast police stations will receive new experienced constables after a recent Queensland Police Service induction ceremony in Brisbane.
The officers are part of a new Queensland Police Service (QPS) intake made up of police from Australia and overseas.
They joined through the Police Abridged Competency Education Program, known as PACE.
The program allows experienced officers from other jurisdictions to start a policing career in Queensland.
Gold Coast stations receiving officers include Coomera, Mudgeeraba, Robina, Southport and Surfers Paradise.
Why it matters?
The new officers bring frontline experience from police services across Australia and overseas.
That means Gold Coast communities will gain officers who already understand public safety, emergency response and community policing.
Acting Commissioner of Police Brett Pointing APM said the intake would strengthen local policing across Queensland.
“The QPS continues to strengthen its frontline capability with experienced officers committed to serving Queensland communities,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
“Their decision to join the QPS reflects the opportunities available within the Service and the strong contribution they will make across Queensland.”
Local Impact
For the Gold Coast, the new intake will support several busy local stations.
Southport will receive extra support, while officers will also go to Coomera, Mudgeeraba, Robina and Surfers Paradise.
These stations cover a mix of coastal, residential, retail and nightlife areas.
The new officers will add experience to local teams handling emergency response, crime prevention and public safety.
By the Numbers
Across Queensland, 45 experienced constables were sworn into the QPS after serving in other police jurisdictions.
The South Eastern Region will receive 17 officers, with six going to the Gold Coast and 11 going to Logan.
Southport will receive two officers, while Coomera, Mudgeeraba, Robina and Surfers Paradise will each receive one.
Zoom In
The new constables bring experience from Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil.
Constable Antonio Humberto Azevedo Souza Castelo Teixeira served for eight years with the Military Police of Ceara in Brazil.
“One of the biggest things that brought me here was the decision to start my policing career again from scratch in a new country, for my family and for a better future for my children,” Constable Teixeira said.
He said his past work helped him stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions.
Constable Dan-Emil Meszaros joined the QPS after serving at Wellington Central Police Station in New Zealand.
“I have a lot of transferable skills, especially in public order policing (or QPS’s Public Safety Response Team) with the Olympics coming to Queensland, these skills will become very valuable,” Constable Meszaros said.
Constable Isak Van Wyk served 11 years with the South African Police Service.
“I am proud to be in the process of becoming a Queensland police officer, learning how to effectively police here, and serving my community to the best of my abilities,” Constable Van Wyk said.
Zoom Out
The Gold Coast allocation is part of a wider move to bring experienced officers into Queensland policing.
QPS said more officers from other jurisdictions are choosing Queensland because of career opportunities and lifestyle.
The PACE Program gives those officers a path into the service without starting from the same point as new recruits.
What To Look For Next?
The new constables will now move into their stations across Queensland.