Minister opens newly refurbished Laidley Police Station

Published Tuesday, 04 August, 2015 at 09:45 AM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Jo-Ann Miller

Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller has today opened the newly refurbished Laidley Police Station following a government investment of $1.5 million for the growing Lockyer Valley region.

Minister Miller was joined by Deputy Commissioner Brett Pointing to officially open the station following the seven month refurbishment project which began in October last year.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping the people of the Lockyer Valley safe and ensuring that local police have access to state-of-the-art facilities and the best, most up-to-date equipment is just one way we’re delivering on that commitment,” Minister Miller said.

“Laidley and surrounds are growing communities and this $1.5 million investment by the government will give a boost to local policing services with the station now catering for 22 uniform police as well as four Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) officers.

“The station will now have a new Investigation Centre, a purpose-built data and communications room, upgraded CCTV, a purpose built ‘Home Look-a-like’ room for the CPIU, a new car port for three police vehicles, a replacement roof and an upgrade to the phone systems..

“The refurbishment also created 22 local jobs over the duration of the project.”

Minister Miller said the Laidley Police Station had a long and interesting history.

“Laidley was a two officer station between 1863 and 1910 and then a three officer station between 1911 and 1919,” Minister Miller said.

“The first two officers stationed at Laidley are believed to have been Acting Sergeant William Gunn who served from 1863 to 1868 and Constable Thomas Raleigh who served from 1863 to 1865.

“The first of many changes to the Laidley Police Station began in May 1884 when a Sergeant submitted a report to the Inspector-in-Charge of the Ipswich Police District outlining the condition of the building and a tender for a new police station was announced.

“A new station was completed in 1886, however in June 1949 it was badly damaged by fire. An office in the Courthouse was used as a temporary station until a new one with an office and police residence was completed in July 1951.

“As the town grew in size the police station, which was one room attached to the police residence, became outdated and far too small. A new Courthouse and Police Station in Spicer Street was officially opened on 21 February 1964 by the then Minister for Transport Gordon Chalk.

“It’s exciting to be here 51 years after Minister Chalk officially opened the new station. These refurbishments represent yet another chapter in the long and interesting history of the QPS in Laidley.”

Laidley police will also be supported in their jobs by a range of measures announced in the Budget including:
• $28 million to deliver 266 extra police over the next year, bringing the total number of extra officers sworn in over the past four years to 1,100;
• Nearly 1,000 new and replacement police vehicles;
• An extra $20 million over four years for police to tackle organised crime, alcohol-fuelled violence and the drug, Ice;
• More than $6 million over three years for the roll out of body-worn video cameras.

[ENDS] August 4 2015

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