About Us

The Queensland Police Service is the primary law enforcement agency for the State of Queensland. We fulfil this role throughout the State, 24 hours a day, upholding the law and providing assistance to the community when necessary and in times of emergency, disaster and crisis. What we do The functions of the Service include: the preservation of peace and good order in all areas of Queensland the protection of all communities in Queensland the prevention of crime the detection of offenders and bringing of offenders to justice upholding the law generally and providing policing services in an emergency. Delivering our services The Service comprises eight regions dealing with operational and community policing issues. Three commands deal with major crime, specialist operational support and ethical standards, and a corporate services group manages administration, finance, human resources and information and communications technology functions. View the complete corporate structure. Our clients Our clients include: the Queensland community (including residents and visitors) victims of crime anyone requesting police assistance suspects and people charged with committing offences. Other stakeholders include: the Queensland Government other government agencies business, industry and community groups. Our staff The Service employed 14 627 personnel in 2008-09, which included 134 Police Liaison Officers and five Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Police.   30 June 2009 30 June 2008   Police officers 10 277 9 833 Police recruits 368 404 Staff members 3 982 3 711   Notes: Staffing numbers refer to actual employees, not ‘full time equivalent’ employees. Staff members are employees other than police officers or police recruits. All staffing numbers are as at 30 June 2009. [ more... ] Our volunteers The Volunteers in Policing (VIP) Program was trialled in Queensland in 1997 and became a state wide program in 1998. As of June 2009, there were 296 trained VIPs throughout the State. VIPs offer support to police officers by carrying out a range of voluntary tasks that complement the responsibilities of QPS members—allowing officers to remain focused on their operational tasks. The VIPs assist in areas such as police beat shopfronts, police stations and regional offices. Their roles may include performing home security and business audits, manning crime prevention and crime stopper displays, engraving property, victims of crime follow up, court assistance, letter box drops and assisting with projects. Our environment Supporting environmental sustainability is a matter of both corporate responsibility and operational practice for the Service. Through waste, energy, water management and carbon emission reduction initiatives, the Service is able to lessen its impact on the environment. [ more... ]

Our finances The Service received $1 447 million in appropriation funding from State government and $73 million from other sources including user charges and grants and contributions to fund the Service’s expenditure for 2008-09. The Service’s capital budget for 2008-09 was $283 million. Key financial data 2008-09 2007-08 $'000 $'000 Total revenue 1,520,697 1,416,703 Total expenses 1,520,509 1,416,189 Surplus/(deficit) 188 514 Total assets 1,935,616 1,837,839 Total liabilities 113,346 209,579 Equity 1,822,270 1,628,260 Increase in net assets 194,010 177,045 A broader financial overview is provided, followed by the departmental financial statements. Highlights of the Service’s component of the State Budget for 2009-10 can be found at www.police.qld.gov.au/services/reportsPublications/ Machinery-of-government changes Following the State election, machinery-of-government changes announced on 26 March 2009 resulted in responsibility for Security Planning and Coordination being transferred from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to the Queensland Police Service. This change better aligns the security and community safety functions of the Queensland Government. [ more... ] Our history The Police Department was established by the Police Act of 1863, which took effect on 1 January 1864. During more than 145 years of its history, the traditions of the QPS have been shaped by immense social changes, incredible advances in technology and the continual evolution of operational procedures. On 1 November 2000 Mr Bob Atkinson was appointed as the 17th Queensland Commissioner of Police. Legislation we administer The following legislation was administered by the Service in 2008-09: Australian Crime Commission (Queensland) Act 2003 Child Protection (Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2008 Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 Police Service Administration Act 1990 Prostitution Act 1999 Public Safety Preservation Act 1986 Queensland Police Welfare Club Act 1970 Summary Offences Act 2005 Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005 Weapons Act 1990 First Year Constable Michael Dunlop made history by becoming the Queensland Police Service’s 10,000th sworn officer when he attended the police induction on 25 February 2009.