The Queensland Police Service (QPS) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the founding of its Disaster Victim Identification Squad (DVIS) on Tuesday 1 June.
To mark the occasion, a group of VIP visitors watched new DVIS members participate in the practical components of the five-day practitioners’ course at the Bob Atkinson Operational Capabilities Centre, Wacol.
The 15 new squad members will join a further 56 part-time members, whose duties are to remove and identify the remains of deceased victims of major incidents, accidents, air disasters and natural disasters, in addition to their substantive policing roles.
On occasion, they will also assist investigating police officers with homicides, suicides, traffic crashes, skeletal recovery and other situations where identification difficulties may arise.
Acting Deputy Commissioner at the QPS, Shane Chelepy said the squad had come a long way in its 40 years.
“The Disaster Victim Identification Squad was formed on 1 June 1981, with an initial 45 members,” Mr Chelepy said.
“We have 56 dedicated members, ranging from constables to senior sergeants, who make ongoing and valuable contributions to not only the Queensland community, interstate and internationally but, most importantly, to the family and friends of disaster victims.”
Minister for Police, Mark Ryan congratulated the new DVIS members.
“I understand that joining the Disaster Victim Identification Squad was not an easy decision to make,” Mr Ryan said.
“You have shown courage and bravery, and I sincerely thank you for putting yourself forward for such a role within the Service.”
DVIS members have participated in major overseas and interstate deployments to assist in the disaster victim identification process, including the 2002 Bali bombings, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
