Published Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 2:30PM, TUESDAY JUNE 5, 2007 - RECORD BUDGET PUTS MORE POLICE BACK ON THE BEAT
The Beattie Government continues to ensure Queensland is a safe and secure place to live, with a record $1.437 billion for policing in the 2007-08 State Budget, an increase of $137 million or 10.5% on the 2006-07 budget.
Minister for Police Judy Spence said the budget delivers an additional 200 sworn police positions, taking the number of officers in the Queensland Police Service to 9,928 by October 2008.
“These new positions ensure this government continues to meet our commitment to maintaining the Queensland police to population ratio above the national average,” Ms Spence said.
“The additional positions result in an overall increase of more than 3000 police officers, since the Beattie Government came to power in 1998.”
Ms Spence said in addition to the 200 new sworn officer positions, the budget allows more officers currently serving in administrative roles to return to the beat, with 167 new civilian positions being created.
“This comprehensive civilianisation strategy means officers trained to protect and serve their community can focus on first response policing and leave administration to civilian employees,” Ms Spence said.
“The funding of these new civilian positions will result in a major increase in operational police positions in Queensland by October 2008.”
“Queenslanders can continue to feel safe in their communities, as police numbers keep growing with the population and the new demands of society.”
Ms Spence said the government’s focus on frontline policing is supported by $88 million in funding for information technologies.
“This Budget delivers $65.53 million for the Public Safety Network Project and $22.5 million for the continued development and operation of QPRIME, the police computer system,” Ms Spence said.
“These technological advances are reducing repetitive data entry, improving service delivery for police and other justice-based government agencies, and allowing for the central management of all crime, domestic violence and property crime.”
“By funding cutting edge technology, we can ensure efficiency in administration, allowing officers to spend more time on operational duties, while they are provided with the latest tools in the fight against crime.”
Ms Spence said the budget ensures greater public access to police around the state.
“We will spend $46.7 million dollars over the next four years to establish a police contact centre as well as $6.1 million on upgrading police communication networks,” Ms Spence said.
“The new call centre will allow the public to easily contact the police via a central number from anywhere in Queensland. The centre will also be responsible for assisting with triple-0 emergency calls.”
Ms Spence said the 2007-08 State Budget continues to deliver more funding for road safety.
“Too many lives have been lost on Queensland roads. This Budget is increasing total traffic enforcement and education funding to $17.7million, an increase of $5 million dollars from last year,” Ms Spence said.
Ms Spence said police infrastructure will be further expanded and upgraded, with the budget delivering $102.3 million for capital works projects including new and replacement police stations.
“This is an increase of over $30 million dollars on last year’s capital works budget,” Ms Spence said.
“Together with a $79.9 million allocation for the purchase of police vehicles and other equipment, this funding will ensure Queensland police continue to have access to the best resources and infrastructure in the country.”
Ms Spence said the overall budget provision of $1.437 billion for the Queensland Police Service, in an increase of $137 million or 10.5% on last year.
“The 2007-08 State Budget demonstrates the Beattie Government’s ongoing commitment to funding a first rate police service, that can continue to lower the state’s crime rate.”
“This budget is about protecting the community from crime and ensuring our police officers have the best tools on hand to keep the public safe.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
Minister for Police Judy Spence said the budget delivers an additional 200 sworn police positions, taking the number of officers in the Queensland Police Service to 9,928 by October 2008.
“These new positions ensure this government continues to meet our commitment to maintaining the Queensland police to population ratio above the national average,” Ms Spence said.
“The additional positions result in an overall increase of more than 3000 police officers, since the Beattie Government came to power in 1998.”
Ms Spence said in addition to the 200 new sworn officer positions, the budget allows more officers currently serving in administrative roles to return to the beat, with 167 new civilian positions being created.
“This comprehensive civilianisation strategy means officers trained to protect and serve their community can focus on first response policing and leave administration to civilian employees,” Ms Spence said.
“The funding of these new civilian positions will result in a major increase in operational police positions in Queensland by October 2008.”
“Queenslanders can continue to feel safe in their communities, as police numbers keep growing with the population and the new demands of society.”
Ms Spence said the government’s focus on frontline policing is supported by $88 million in funding for information technologies.
“This Budget delivers $65.53 million for the Public Safety Network Project and $22.5 million for the continued development and operation of QPRIME, the police computer system,” Ms Spence said.
“These technological advances are reducing repetitive data entry, improving service delivery for police and other justice-based government agencies, and allowing for the central management of all crime, domestic violence and property crime.”
“By funding cutting edge technology, we can ensure efficiency in administration, allowing officers to spend more time on operational duties, while they are provided with the latest tools in the fight against crime.”
Ms Spence said the budget ensures greater public access to police around the state.
“We will spend $46.7 million dollars over the next four years to establish a police contact centre as well as $6.1 million on upgrading police communication networks,” Ms Spence said.
“The new call centre will allow the public to easily contact the police via a central number from anywhere in Queensland. The centre will also be responsible for assisting with triple-0 emergency calls.”
Ms Spence said the 2007-08 State Budget continues to deliver more funding for road safety.
“Too many lives have been lost on Queensland roads. This Budget is increasing total traffic enforcement and education funding to $17.7million, an increase of $5 million dollars from last year,” Ms Spence said.
Ms Spence said police infrastructure will be further expanded and upgraded, with the budget delivering $102.3 million for capital works projects including new and replacement police stations.
“This is an increase of over $30 million dollars on last year’s capital works budget,” Ms Spence said.
“Together with a $79.9 million allocation for the purchase of police vehicles and other equipment, this funding will ensure Queensland police continue to have access to the best resources and infrastructure in the country.”
Ms Spence said the overall budget provision of $1.437 billion for the Queensland Police Service, in an increase of $137 million or 10.5% on last year.
“The 2007-08 State Budget demonstrates the Beattie Government’s ongoing commitment to funding a first rate police service, that can continue to lower the state’s crime rate.”
“This budget is about protecting the community from crime and ensuring our police officers have the best tools on hand to keep the public safe.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287