Training Command - Queensland Police Service - Queensland ...

The third phase of detective training
incorporates a mock murder scenario to
give participants practical experience in
investigative techniques.
Photos by Detective Sergeant Cameron Gardner, Detective Training Section
Len Hooper Award
Detective Sergeant Len Hooper was
tragically killed in August 1997 while
executing a search warrant in Herston.
His dedication and commitment to the
QPS were recognised with a posthumous
National Police Medal, and QPS vessel
the Len Hooper was launched by
Yeppoon Water Police in 1998.
The Len Hooper Award was created
in 2003 and is presented annually to
an outstanding Detective Training
Program graduate who demonstrates
similar qualities to those held by the late
detective.
These qualities include a high degree of
knowledge, leadership skills, integrity,
tenacity, reliability, loyalty, dedication,
commitment, motivation, professionalism
to duty, and the ability to work within a
team environment.
This year’s winner, Detective Senior
Constable Janelle Walsh of the Carseldine
Criminal Investigation Branch, said she
was thrilled to accept the award.
“The program was quite intensive
and really pushed us, but it was very
rewarding. It’s a real honour to receive
the Len Hooper Award,” Detective Senior
Constable Walsh said.
By Bridgette Williams, Media and Public
Affairs Branch
Detective
training on the cutting edge
of investigative policing
The Investigations and Intelligence Training
Unit (IITU) is training officers to be on the
front line of investigative policing through
its three year Detective Training Program.
The program is offered to plain clothes
police officers who have completed
the prerequisite course work, and is the
pathway to becoming a detective in the
Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The Detective Training Program is
delivered in three phases, and participants
graduate with the nationally recognised
Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police
Investigation).
Phase one covers basic investigation skills,
evidence gathering, interviewing, law
foundations, process and procedures; while
phase two covers laws and legislation. In
2012, high level investigative interview
training will also be included.
Finally, phase three includes practical
and theoretical assessments surrounding
homicide investigation and major incident
room coordination, and the investigative
processes required in complex criminal
investigations. On successful completion of
the training, graduates present a portfolio
of their work as an investigator to a board
of senior detectives. If successful, they are
appointed as a detective.
Detective Sergeant Cameron Gardner of
the Detective Training Section said some
of the key attributes encouraged by the
program were thoroughness and attention
to detail. The program also strives to
develop in detectives an awareness of
emerging trends affecting society and
investigative policing.
“The program is aimed not only at training
officers in well established practices, but
also equipping them with knowledge
of new technology and emerging crime
trends,” Detective Sergeant Gardner said.
“We keep the curriculum current so
detectives stay on the cusp of prevailing
trends such as identity theft and the use of
the internet to commit offences.
“The training is conducted with a mixture
of both theory and practical training
sessions, as well as on the job training. In
phase three, we construct a mock murder
investigation to give the participants
a situation that is as close to reality as
possible.”
Detective Senior Constable Janelle Walsh,
recent graduate and winner of this year’s
Len Hooper Award said the training was
invaluable to her work as a detective.
“The Detective Training Program equipped
me with the skills to confidently perform
my job to the best of my ability and to see
results,” Detective Senior Constable Walsh
said.
“I’ve gone into every situation I’ve
encountered as a detective fully prepared
thanks to it.”
By CJ Roberts,
Media and Public Affairs Branch
PoliceBulletin363 27