Key focus area—Training and professional development

The Queensland Police Service has an extensive training program available to its employees through the Queensland Police Service Academy.

The major centres for training are the Queensland Police Service Academy, Oxley, the North Queensland Campus, Townsville, and the Queensland Police College, Chelmer.

The Human Resource Development Branch (HRDB) provides all centralised training. The Branch is organised into three major programs:

• the Initial Service Program
• the Professional Development Program
• the Education and Training Support Program Major training programs offered by the Service are outlined below.

Police Recruit Operational Vocational Education program

This program is designed to give recruits sufficient skills and knowledge in front-line policing to enable graduates to perform the duties of a first year constable under supervision. During the year 709 new officers graduated from this program at the Oxley and Townsville police academies.

Justice Entry program

This program forms part of a recruitment and career development strategy to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Program participants are employed as trainees and, upon successful completion of the course, are provided direct entry to the police recruit training program. In the year under review, seven people entered the recruit training program.

Police Abridged Competency Education program

This course is designed to train former QPS officers or officers with previous policing experience from other jurisdictions. During the year 103 recruits graduated from this program.

Re-joiner Accelerated Competency Education program

The program delivers a revision course for police officers who have rejoined the QPS after an absence of less than 12 months. During the year 20 recruits graduated from this program.

First Year Constable program

This program delivers on the job, competency-based training and mentoring for first year constables. During the year 820 first year constables were enrolled in the program.

Constable Development program

This three-year elective program enhances the operational skills of constables and develops the leadership skills necessary to prepare them for the rank of senior constable. During the year 377 constables have graduated from this program.

Policing Skills program

Operational skills and tactics training is delivered to both pre-service and in-service personnel under this program. Training is specifically designed to increase officer and public safety, improve decision making skills, enhance teamwork and promote the use of professional practice.

During the year operational skills and tactics training was provided to 835 pre-service personnel, 531 first year constables and 1 011 regionally based operational skills and tactics training instructors/police officers.

All police officers up to and including the rank of senior sergeant are required to undertake operational skills and tactics training twice yearly.

Staff Member Training and Development program

Around one third of the QPS are civilian staff members. During 2008-09:

• 225 new and continuing staff members enrolled in the Certificate IV in Government
• 77 staff members enrolled in the Diploma of Business (Frontline Management)
• 6 staff members received training through the Advanced Diploma in Government delivered through a contracted external training provider
• 39 police liaison officers enrolled in and completed the Certificate II in Public Safety (Police Liaison). A further 39 police liaison officers enrolled in the Certificate III in Public Safety (Police Liaison).

The Staff Member Training and Development program also delivered a range of professional development training, including Corporate Induction to 720 staff members around the State.

Leadership and Mentoring program for Women

This program encourages and supports women to develop the skills to undertake management roles within the QPS and contribute to achieving equal employment opportunity. In November, 28 women graduated from the 2008 program. A further 24 women commenced the program in May 2009.

Management Development program

This program offers the knowledge and skills necessary for officers to make transition to the ranks of sergeant, senior sergeant and inspector. A total of 1 732 officers enrolled in units offered by this program.

Investigations and Intelligence Training program

Nationally recognised diploma-level training, involving a graduated learning phases approach, is offered through this program in the areas of investigation and intelligence. During the year, investigative skills training was provided to 580 officers and 124 officers completed requirements for an Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police Investigation). Another 325 members of the QPS were enrolled in the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police Intelligence) with 20 officers being awarded the diploma during the reporting period. Training support was also provided to 167 staff undertaking a Basic Intelligence course.

The Officer in Charge program

This program is a competency-based, distance education training program, aimed at developing an officer’s ability to perform the roles and functions of an officer in charge of any QPS work unit. During 2008-09, 154 officers enrolled in this program.

The Assessment Centre program

This program conducts assessment centres for senior sergeants to assist in determining their suitability for promotion to commissioned rank. No assessment centres were conducted during the reporting period.

Education and Training Support program

This program is responsible for:

• managing QPS registered training organisation status
• developing and distributing flexible learning products (eg online, competency based units) including the management of the Competency Acquisition Program and the QPS Pay Point Progression Policy
• managing the Advance 2 Learning Management System
• managing commercial activity in relation to education and training including the administration of external funding opportunities such as the Traineeship Incentive Scheme and the Productivity Places program.

The program has undertaken 30 projects during the reporting period. It has also ensured the QPS maintained its registered training organisation status for the delivery of 16 national qualifications and 6 accredited courses as well administering 1 522 traineeships on behalf of the Service. There are currently 106 Competency Acquisition Program units available for learners, with 30 010 Competency Acquisition Program units being completed by members of the Service during the year.