After running a business in Noosa for 18 years, Constable Dan Rudledge was motivated to apply for the Queensland Police Service when his oldest son was accepted into the academy.
“I had talked about joining for a long time and it was my wife who finally pushed me to join – now that I’m here, I have no regrets,” Constable Rudledge said.
“I am originally from Noosa, and am getting deployed out to St George in South West Queensland.
“Both my wife and I are looking forward to it and see it as a great chance to experience the outback now that all our kids are grown up.”
Sgt Rudledge was among 155 new police officers welcomed last week into the ranks in the state’s largest graduation ceremony in 33 years.
The cohort includes previous law students, business owners and security officers, as well as former police officers from New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa.
The graduates had already started serving the community, door-knocking hundreds of residents and assisting with evacuations due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Officers have joined frontline police in stations across Queensland including, Brisbane, the Far North, Mt Isa, Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the government promised to put more officers on the ground, and every day we are making sure that the police frontline is stronger.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie met the recruits during last week’s deployment to thank them for their efforts.
“They have already demonstrated they have what it takes to wear the uniform and are ready to serve and protect Queenslanders,” he said.
“It’s incredible to see so many new recruits willing to step up. It will help to bolster the frontline and keep communities safe.
“The previous Labor Government oversaw record attrition rates with hundreds of police leaving the job each year due to burnout and lack of support.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to giving police the laws and the resources they need to do their jobs.”
Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said even before graduation, these officers demonstrated their dedication to communities across South East Queensland, stepping up to assist people to prepare for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“Their efforts in the past week have been invaluable, showing exactly the kind of commitment and community spirit that define the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
