'Unprecedented opportunity': Queensland plans to recruit hundreds of foreign police

The Queensland Police Service has been given the green light to recruit up to 500 foreign nationals a year for the next five years.

The recruits will be required to have sufficient policing experience in their home countries to be taken on in Queensland, Police Minister Mark Ryan said this week.

The move follows a new labour agreement between the state and federal governments.

The agreement allows the QPS to recruit international police officers without the requirement to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

All officers recruited under the new labour agreement will be required to pass the QPS’ recruit testing and vetting.

At the completion of their training, the recruits will be stationed across Queensland to commence their First Year Constable program, with the opportunity to expedite this program and enter the service up to the rank of Senior Constable.

“This is a win-win. It’s an unprecedented opportunity for the Queensland Police Service to significantly expand the diversity of its workforce, while providing a unique opportunity for people around the world to join a world-class police organisation,” Mr Ryan said in a statement.

Federal Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the Albanese government was focused on getting Australia’s visa system back on track “so organisations like the Queensland Police were better able to do their job and protect the Queensland community”.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she expected interest from international police officers in joining her force to greatly increase.

“This is the biggest opportunity that we have offered for international police who are looking for a career in one of the most beautiful places in the world which has so much to offer – from fast paced operations within our major cities, to regional policing in communities in the tropics,” she said.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the union had been working with government to develop new ideas to attract applicants.

“Five hundred additional police each year for the next five years, bringing a range of different experiences and skill sets will be greatly appreciated amongst those already on the frontline,” he said.