Tag: Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre

Bob Atkinson Centre Welcomes Future Recruits For Hands-on Learning

Photo Credit: myPolice Queensland

What’s it like to train like a Queensland police officer? A group of Brisbane teens found out as they stepped into one of the state’s most advanced police training centres.

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Real-world Learning In A Real Police Setting

In May 2025, Brisbane students took part in a Queensland Police Service work experience program. They visited the $52.8 million Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre at Wacol, used by thousands of officers and recruits each year. The Centre includes a mock village and train platform to simulate real emergencies. It gives trainees practical experience in realistic settings.

Photo Credit: myPolice Queensland

The tour also took in the Centre’s indoor live-fire ranges and training zones where officers rehearse responses to high-risk incidents. These specialist spaces are used to build skills in areas like decision-making, de-escalation, and tactical operations.

More Than A School Visit

During the week, students explored QPS units including the Dog Squad, Water Police and Road Policing Command. They took part in hands-on activities like fingerprinting and crime scene analysis. 

Photo Credit: myPolice Queensland

These sessions showed how real investigations are carried out across different areas of policing. Officers also shared their career paths, giving students insight into the variety of roles and how to get started.

Connecting Police With The Next Generation

The program also aimed to strengthen community ties by showing students the real work of police and encouraging open engagement. It gave young people a clearer view of how police serve the public, while giving officers a chance to connect with future generations.

The Bob Atkinson Centre supports this mission by hosting not only police training, but also joint exercises with emergency services and defence. Built by the Department of Housing and Public Works, it equips Queensland’s responders with the tools and spaces needed for complex, real-world scenarios.

Named For A Leader In Policing

The Centre is named after Bob Atkinson, a former Queensland Police Commissioner who served from 2000 to 2012. His leadership focused on training, accountability and improving the public’s trust in police.

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Part of the facility includes the refurbished Jacaranda House, a heritage-listed building adapted for modern training needs. With a team of 121 staff and specialist instructors, the Centre ensures every officer receives consistent and high-quality training.

Published 20-May-2025

New Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Centre to Open in Wacol

Construction of a new world-class Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Centre located at the 140-hectare Wacol Police Complex has commenced and will be named after former Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson.

Commissioner Stewart with former Commissioner Bob Atkinson
Photo credit: State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) 2019 / https://mypolice.qld.gov.au

The Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk turned the sod to mark the commencement of construction of the $46.7-million Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre at the former site of the John Oxley Memorial Hospital.

Two heritage-listed buildings—Jacaranda House and Silky Oak House—located at the site have already received refurbishment works for workplace accommodation, parking, and some training facilities.

Minister Ryan, Premier Palaszczuk and Commissioner Stewart  
Photo credit: State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) 2019 / https://mypolice.qld.gov.au

“My Government announced in 2017 we would invest $46.7 million over three years to construct a world-class Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Centre for the Queensland Police Service to ensure they’re equipped with the best facilities and resources available,” the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“This will include a multi-function training centre, a scenario village with streetscapes, a service station, private and public transport, a police station and housing, and we’re also constructing a firing range for developing and maintaining weapons-handling skills under a range of conditions.

“It’s a fitting tribute to the long and distinguished career of Bob Atkinson that the centre will be named the Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre.”

Commissioner Stewart, former Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Premier Palaszczuk and Minister Ryan
Photo credit: State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) 2019 / https://mypolice.qld.gov.au

The Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Centre will have indoor firearms ranges; a scenario village; and specialist training areas to increase capability in managing terrorism and other critical incidents.

The training facility will help enhance Queensland’s frontline and tactical police officers’ communications skills, de-escalation, firearms, batons, handcuffs, tasers, physical skills, responding to an active armed offender, and counter-terrorism.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said that with more than 15,000 daily interactions with the public, often requiring officers to make split-second decisions that may involve the use of force, continual and best practice training, and co-locating of facilities are needed to enable an integrated curriculum to be developed and delivered.

Video Credit: QueenslandPolice / YouTube

“The new facility is aimed at building operational capability around frontline and tactical officers in responding to all incidents, including terrorist related matters,” Commissioner Ian Stewart said.

“After a 44-year policing career, Mr Atkinson will always be remembered for his dedication to the Queensland Police Service and the work that he has done when terrorism was in its earlier iterations.

“I am very pleased that Mr Atkinson has graciously accepted the offer regarding the proposal to name the new facility in his honour.”

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