Published Wednesday, 04 July, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
MESSENGER WRONG AGAIN, CCTV UPGRADE OF WATCHHOUSES PROGRESSING WELL
Mr Messenger has once again displayed his lack of knowledge when it comes to policing issues in Queensland, this time getting the facts wrong about the CCTV upgrade of indigenous community watchhouses, Minister for Police Judy Spence said today.
“Mr Messenger claims the Palm Island watchhouse does not have surveillance cameras. The fact is CCTV facilities were installed in the new police station in June 2005,” Ms Spence said.
“There are four cameras at the Palm Island watchhouse covering each of the two cells, the charge area and the vehicle lock.
“In fact we have CCTV facilities in watchouses in every indigenous community.
“What Rob fails to understand is the upgrade or installation of CCTV technology will improve existing infrastructure and increase camera surveillance to all custodial areas of watchhouses and not just the cells.
“Mr Messenger has once again failed to check his facts before criticising the government on policing issues.
“In February the Premier and I announced the government would upgrade or install CCTV facilities in all custodial areas of police stations in Aboriginal Deed of Grant of Trust communities within 12 months,” Ms Spence said.
“We backed this up with a funding commitment of $1.5 million in the State Budget to complete these upgrades.
“They are progressing well, with audits on each watchhouse now completed and tenders to be called shortly.
“The Palm Island, Woorabinda and Aurukun watchhouses were identified as the first to have their CCTV systems upgraded and I am happy to say work is scheduled to begin in those watchhouses shortly.”
Ms Spence said the work on watchhouses in other indigenous communities will start once costs have been determined and successful tenders are identified.
“These measures will help us provide increased safety for police officers who may have allegations brought against them by those who are detained in police custody and additional protection and supervision for offenders in all custodial areas of watchhouses.”
Ms Spence said the CCTV upgrades are in addition to the ongoing and demonstrated commitment by the Beattie Government to upgrading watchhouse facilities in Queensland.
“We have spent $144 million in the last 10 years upgrading watchhouses,” Ms Spence said.
“In 2005/06 we spent $1.5 million and in 2006/07 $2.3 million, while $2.0 million has been allocated for 2007/08.”
“This funding demonstrates the Beattie Government is committed to the continual upgrade and further improvement of watch house facilities around the state.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“Mr Messenger claims the Palm Island watchhouse does not have surveillance cameras. The fact is CCTV facilities were installed in the new police station in June 2005,” Ms Spence said.
“There are four cameras at the Palm Island watchhouse covering each of the two cells, the charge area and the vehicle lock.
“In fact we have CCTV facilities in watchouses in every indigenous community.
“What Rob fails to understand is the upgrade or installation of CCTV technology will improve existing infrastructure and increase camera surveillance to all custodial areas of watchhouses and not just the cells.
“Mr Messenger has once again failed to check his facts before criticising the government on policing issues.
“In February the Premier and I announced the government would upgrade or install CCTV facilities in all custodial areas of police stations in Aboriginal Deed of Grant of Trust communities within 12 months,” Ms Spence said.
“We backed this up with a funding commitment of $1.5 million in the State Budget to complete these upgrades.
“They are progressing well, with audits on each watchhouse now completed and tenders to be called shortly.
“The Palm Island, Woorabinda and Aurukun watchhouses were identified as the first to have their CCTV systems upgraded and I am happy to say work is scheduled to begin in those watchhouses shortly.”
Ms Spence said the work on watchhouses in other indigenous communities will start once costs have been determined and successful tenders are identified.
“These measures will help us provide increased safety for police officers who may have allegations brought against them by those who are detained in police custody and additional protection and supervision for offenders in all custodial areas of watchhouses.”
Ms Spence said the CCTV upgrades are in addition to the ongoing and demonstrated commitment by the Beattie Government to upgrading watchhouse facilities in Queensland.
“We have spent $144 million in the last 10 years upgrading watchhouses,” Ms Spence said.
“In 2005/06 we spent $1.5 million and in 2006/07 $2.3 million, while $2.0 million has been allocated for 2007/08.”
“This funding demonstrates the Beattie Government is committed to the continual upgrade and further improvement of watch house facilities around the state.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287