New correctional officers committed to community safety in Maryborough

 

• 12 new Custodial Correctional Officers join the public safety frontline in Central Queensland
• All 12 have completed the 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program including on-the-job training.
• The new officers now ready to play their role in protecting community safety.
• Four officers recognised with the National Medal

Queensland Corrective Services welcomed 12 new Custodial Correctional Officers to the frontline of public safety in Maryborough after a graduation ceremony on Thursday, 03 April.

Having now completed the 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program, the new officers will be deployed to Maryborough Correctional Centre where they will work toward making Queensland safer through prisoner reform.

The 10-week paid Custodial Officer Entry program has equipped each officer with fundamental skills in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation.

As part of their dynamic, varied and rewarding new careers, the CCOs will work to stop the cycle of reoffending through the safe and secure management of prisoners and correctional facilities, with a range of roles available to grow their careers.

Continued on-the-job training and professional development opportunities ensure officers can progress their careers and develop skills to keep our communities safe in dynamic situations.

The graduation ceremony also acknowledged four officers with the National Medal in recognition of 15 or more years of service in a frontline public safety agency.

Minister for Corrective Services, Laura Gerber praised the new officers for their dedication, highlighting their crucial role in protecting Queensland communities.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to restoring community safety and our QCS officers play a vital role in delivering this,” Minister Gerber said.

“Today’s graduates are stepping into an important job, and I congratulate them on the hard work and dedication they have shown over the past 10 weeks in finishing their training.

“These officers will soon join their QCS colleagues on the frontline, and our Government is committed to giving them the resources and support they need to make our community safer.

“I would also like to express my thanks to the officers who have dedicated more than 15 years of service to QCS.”

General Manager Maryborough Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent John Owens welcomed the new officers and congratulated them on their graduation.

“We welcome our 12 newest Custodial Correctional Officers to Maryborough Correctional Centre and thank our most experienced officers for their commitment to making Queensland safer,” Chief Superintendent Owens said.

“Our officers are our greatest asset, and we strive to ensure they are supported as they carry out their often-unseen duties.

“Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and safe reintegration back into the community.”

Queensland Corrective Services is actively recruiting for good, public safety focused jobs and careers including trade instructors, dog squad officers, psychologists, counsellors, cultural liaison officers and administration.

Becoming a Custodial Correctional Officer is the starting point for an exciting career with Queensland Corrective Services with a wide range of career paths and opportunities.

Custodial Correctional Officers enjoy excellent employment conditions including a competitive salary and superannuation, employment security, salary packaging and health and wellbeing programs.

 

Further information:

• For more information and to find out how to join Queensland Corrective Services, head to: Careers | Queensland Corrective Services (corrections.qld.gov.au).
• Eligible candidates who relocate from interstate or South East Queensland to Capricornia, Townsville or Lotus Glen Correctional Centres may be eligible for a relocation assistance package up to the value of $7,000.
• The National Medal, introduced in 1975, is Australia’s most awarded civilian medal.
• The medal recognises long and diligent service by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations who risk their lives to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster.