Gold Coast RAP hits ground running in 2015

Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller has today reassured the community that the good work of the Rapid Action and Patrol Group to tackle crime across the Gold Coast will continue under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

On a visit to the Gold Coast RAP hub at Robina, Minister Miller said officers had hit the ground running in 2015 and were as busy as ever.

"The Palaszczuk Labor Government is committed to keeping the people of the Gold Coast safe and we support our police 100 per cent in their work here,” Minister Miller said.

“RAP officers have been out and about working well with our general duties officers, the Road Policing Command as well as detectives from the Gold Coast’s criminal investigation branches to ensure a strong, visible police presence across the Coast.

“In the first three months of this year, RAP has responded to around 565 calls for service, executed 169 search warrants, conducted 9,233 random breath tests, issued 2,186 traffic infringement notices and produced over 4,700 intelligence reports.

“They’ve also conducted over 300 licensed premises walkthroughs, issued 180 liquor infringement notices and conducted around 3,800 proactive checks on businesses in an effort to minimise the risk of break and enters.

“As a result of RAP’s hard work, they’ve made a total of 1,120 arrests and laid 1,603 charges.

“This is good news for the Gold Coast.”

Minister Miller said the LNP should stop misleading the Gold Coast community about the Palaszczuk Government’s position on the Rapid Action and Patrol Group.

“Jann Stuckey needs to stop gossiping. She seems to have nothing better to do than to deliberately mislead the Gold Coast community about the future of the RAP.

“Despite repeated assurances from myself that the Palaszczuk Government has no intention of dismantling the RAP, the LNP are up to their usual tricks.

“Let me make it crystal clear – the Palaszczuk Government supports the continued operation of the Gold Coast RAP. Hub policing represents a fresh and modern approach to tackling crime across Queensland.

“Despite Ms Stuckey’s suggestion I do otherwise, I won’t be interfering in the decisions the QPS makes about staffing and resourcing – they are operational matters the Commissioner.”

Minister Miller said the RAP would continue its focus on tackling organised crime, the criminal elements of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and had the ability to quickly respond to other emerging issues.

“The idea behind the RAP is to have a group of proactive and agile officers that are able to take a targeted approach to crime across the Coast, with the ability to hone in on particular hot spots and respond to new and emerging crime trends.”

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is committed to keeping the people of the Gold Coast safe, and we strongly support our hard-working and dedicated police in their effort to reduce crime across the Coast.”

[ENDS] April 21 2015

Media contact:

Brent Davidson (Minister Miller’s Office): 0438 696 185