First Police Graduates Of 2026 Welcomed

Queensland has welcomed 79 new police officers in the first graduating cohort of 2026, strengthening frontline policing across the state. The new officers, 56 men and 23 women, will be deployed across Brisbane, regional and remote communities, including five to the Mackay Whitsunday District.

Other regions receiving graduates include North Brisbane (14), South Brisbane (11), Far North (10), Townsville (8), Logan (7), Gold Coast (5), Ipswich (5), Capricornia (4), Moreton (4), Sunshine Coast (3), Wide Bay Burnett (2) and Mount Isa (1).

The cohort, aged 18 to 50, comes from diverse professional backgrounds including defence, health, engineering, trades, hospitality and customer service. The graduates follow a strong year of recruitment in 2025, when 1,180 new officers joined the Queensland Police Service, helping to ensure communities across the state are well supported.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the graduates mark “the next wave in our plan to restore safety where you live and rebuild the frontline.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski welcomed the new officers, noting that the “newest Constables will have a career that makes a positive difference to the lives of others.”

“Queenslanders can be assured that these new officers are ready to support their communities with integrity, respect and courage.”

For Mackay and the Whitsundays, the deployment of five new officers provides a tangible boost to local policing, enhancing the district’s capacity to respond to community needs while strengthening safety across the region.

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