Cairns has received a major boost to community safety with the arrival of 15 new First Year Constables, part of the Crisafulli Government’s rollout of 125 newly graduated police officers across Queensland.
These new recruits, who recently graduated from the Oxley Queensland Police Academy, represent a fresh wave of frontline support at a time when restoring community safety is more important than ever.
The 125 officers are being deployed to more than 60 stations across the state, and Cairns is among the key regions benefiting from this investment. This cohort brings diverse skills and life experience to the Queensland Police Service — including former tradies, defence personnel, and youth workers — with graduates ranging in age from 19 to 54. Among them are six First Nations officers and others born in countries as far-reaching as New Zealand, Samoa, China, India, Ireland, South Africa, and the USA.
This is more than just a staffing boost — it’s a sign of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to backing our police and tackling Labor’s youth crime crisis head-on.
Under the previous government, police forces across the state were stretched thin, with officers citing burnout and disillusionment over repeat youth offenders going unpunished. That’s now changing.
The 2024 Budget includes:
- 💰 $147.9 million for state-of-the-art police equipment
- 🏢 $290.3 million to upgrade police stations, facilities and beats
- 👮 Support for 1,600 new police recruits
- ⚖️ Introduction of the Making Queensland Safer Laws, including “Adult Crime, Adult Time” to hold serious youth repeat offenders accountable
Queensland’s Police Minister Dan Purdie said these 125 new officers represent real action, not empty promises.
“These officers aren’t just joining the Queensland Police — they’re joining the fight to take back our streets,” Minister Purdie said.
“We are committed to putting police where they’re needed most. Cairns is one of those communities.”
Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy praised the graduates and reaffirmed the expectations placed upon them as they take up their new roles.
“These officers carry the trust of the Queensland community, and I have no doubt they will uphold the highest standards in serving and protecting,” he said.
For Cairns, the addition of 15 new officers means stronger frontline visibility, quicker response times, and a renewed focus on community engagement and safety.
As the Crisafulli Government continues to invest in safer communities, this moment marks a turning point — not just for policing in Queensland, but for everyday Queenslanders who deserve to feel safe where they live.
