Police Demonstrate G20 Summit Skills

Frontline Queensland police officers have demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the G20 Leaders’ Summit through an active skills demonstration at the Police Academy, part of a larger joint Commonwealth and State agency exercise taking place in Brisbane.

Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the demonstration was part of the Queensland Police Service’s dedicated preparations for the upcoming November summit.

“Operation Southern Cross is the single largest operation in the 150 year history of the Queensland Police Service involving 5,000 officers in Brisbane and 700 officers in Cairns,” Mr Dempsey said.

“We promised at the election to revitalise frontline services and we are delivering through more police and better resourcing across Queensland. 

“We have a strong plan for a brighter future and ensuring a safe and secure G20 Summit in November will ensure Queensland receives all the future benefits that will come from hosting the event. 

“The G20 Leaders’ Summit will invest more than $100 million into the local economy so we’re investing to ensure that the summit is an overwhelming success for the state.

“Already we have opened two new Police Operations Centres in Brisbane and Cairns, announced 1,250 additional iPads for officers, and purchased body worn cameras for G20 officers. 

“Our commitment to the G20 meetings in Cairns and Brisbane is visible through the demonstration of the highly skilled officers of the Queensland Police Service.

“The Queensland Government is committed to revitalising frontline policing services for delegates and the public ahead of the G20.”

Program Executive of the G20 Group, Assistant Commissioner Katarina Carroll said that she was confident the QPS was ready to deal with a security operation of this scale. 

“QPS officers have been training to enhance our capabilities to ensure the safety, security and dignity of the G20 meetings in Queensland, and the State into the future,” Ms Carroll said.

“The G20 has presented us with an excellent opportunity to invest in training more of our officers in crowd management, dignitary protection and motorcade training.” 

[ENDS] 21 May 2014                                    

Media Contact: Callum Stewart 0403 925 703 or Andrew Kos 0408 912 821