Community
25 April, 2022
Celebrating Half A Century Of Service By Officers And Canines
FAR North Queensland’s most experienced correctional officers and service dogs have been honoured at a medal presentation ceremony in Mareeba.
Minister for Corrective Services Mark Ryan and Queensland Corrective Services Acting Commissioner Gary McCahon presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals and Canine Service Medals during a visit to Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.
“It is wonderful to be here to acknowledge, recognise and thank our correctional officers and their canine companions for their significant contribution and service,” Minister Ryan said.
“The presentation of medals celebrates some 570 years of combined service by 26 Queensland Corrective Services officers and 15 years of service by three of their four-legged colleagues.
“This is an extraordinary achievement and an outstanding record of working to keep the community of Far North Queensland safe.
“Correctional officers make public safety the priority every day, ensuring prisoners and offenders are less likely to return to crime, and every interaction they have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour.”
Three general-purpose dogs qualified for the Canine Service Award, which is issued by the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association.
“Cato, Red and Vice completed more than five years of continuous service in an operational role to qualify for the award,” Acting Commissioner McCahon said.
“Canines are an integral part of corrective services, and our general duties dogs help ensure the safety of our officers inside prisons, being deployed when incidents occur to manage risks and contain situations.”
Minister Ryan and Acting Commissioner McCahon also toured the secure site, industrial facility, and accommodation area during the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre visit.
To find out more about career options within Queensland Corrective Services, visit corrections.qld.gov.au/careers
