Minister for Police and Emergency Services

The Honourable Dan Purdie

21 August 2026

MEDIA STATEMENT: 2,000 new police on the beat making Queensland safer

  • The Crisafulli Government has met a major milestone, officially swearing in 2,000 police officers since coming to office, surpassing its election commitment in less than two years.
  • The new police are being sent straight to the frontline across the State, to make Queensland safer. 
  • The latest Queensland Police Academy graduation means the Government has surpassed its election commitment for 1,600 recruits.
  • The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live, stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation after Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.  

The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer, reaching a major milestone of 2,000 new police since October 2024. 

The milestone was reached last night as 126 new officers graduated from the Queensland Police Academy at Oxley, joining the frontline across the State, to restore safety where you live. 

Since the October 2024 election, a total of 2,098 new officers have been sworn into the Queensland Police Service – exceeding the Crisafulli Government’s election commitment to deliver 1,600 new recruits and taking the Service beyond 13,000 officers for the first time in the State’s history after Labor’s decade of decline.    

Taking attrition into account, there are now 807 additional police officers on the beat than in October 2024 – more than 10 times the 76 additional police officers Labor delivered in its final term in office.  

The newest officers represent the very best of Queensland, bringing with them a wealth of life experience and professional expertise.  

The graduating class includes 11 former Australian Defence Force personnel, tradies, hospitality workers and emergency services employees, alongside recruits who have relocated from interstate and overseas to answer the call to serve.  

Aged between 18 and 53, they demonstrate that policing is attracting talented people from every walk of life. 

Last night’s graduation highlights the success of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to rebuilding the Queensland Police Service after a decade of Labor neglect, with stronger recruitment, better retention and record investment delivering more police to communities across the State. 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the milestone demonstrated the Crisafulli Government was delivering on its promise to back the frontline. 

“Before the election we promised Queenslanders we would recruit 1,600 police officers during our first term; and in less than two years, we’ve already welcomed almost 2,100,” Minister Purdie said. 

“Queenslanders are answering the call to serve in record numbers, bringing with them the skills, experience and resilience gained from careers across every corner of our community. 

“For too long former government failed to give the QPS the support it needed, leaving the State with fewer officers and skyrocketing victim numbers as Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis continued to spiral out of control.  

“We’re turning that around by investing in our police, backing them with better equipment, stronger laws and the resources they need to reduce victim numbers and make Queensland safer.” 

Last night’s milestone has been achieved less two years ahead of schedule, underscoring the success of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to rebuild the Queensland Police Service after a decade of police leaving in droves under Labor.  

Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing said every graduating class strengthened the QPS and the communities it served.  

“From metropolitan centres to regional and remote communities, these officers will play an important role in strengthening community confidence and keeping everyday Queenslanders safe,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said. 

“From the moment our first year constables put on the blue uniform, they commit to making a meaningful difference in serving the community.” 

The newest graduates will soon begin serving in communities across Queensland, strengthening the frontline and helping deliver safer neighbourhoods across the State, including: 

  • 18 new police to North Brisbane
  • 11 new police to South Brisbane
  • 9 new police to Capricornia
  • 5 new police to Mackay Whitsunday
  • 13 new police to Far North
  • 11 new police to Moreton
  • 4 new police to Wide Bay Burnett
  • 2 new police to Mount Isa
  • 14 new police to Townsville
  • 11 new police to Gold Coast
  • 12 new police to Logan
  • 10 new police to Ipswich
  • 3 new police to Southwest
  • 3 new police to Darling Downs 

The Crisafulli Government continues to invest a record $7.2 billion into Making Queensland Safer, including recruiting more police, delivering new stations and police facilities, providing modern equipment and rolling out stronger laws to support frontline officers.