QUEENSLAND’S POLICE-TO-POPULATION RATIO CONTINUES TO IMPROVE: SPENCE
Published Wednesday, 11 July, 2007 at 04:54 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Queensland’s Police-to-Population ratio has improved again this year, Police Minister Judy Spence told an Estimates Committee hearing today.
Ms Spence said the ratio has decreased every year since the Beattie Government came to power, despite dramatic population growth throughout the state.
“The Beattie Government has continued to increase police numbers considerably since we were first elected in 1998,” Ms Spence said.
“We now have a state police-to-population ratio of 1 officer to every 435 people, far better than nine years ago when it was 1:507.
“This is the result of the state government’s commitment to bolstering police numbers every year and maintaining the police to population ratio at or below the National average.”
Ms Spence said Queensland’s police to population ratio will likely continue to improve, with this year’s budget providing a further 200 officers for the state, by October 2008.
“As the state’s population continues to grow, so too must our police service,” Ms Spence said.
“While the National and Liberal parties barely managed to increase police numbers by 200 over two years, the Beattie Government has achieved more than this number every year we’ve been in government.
“This year’s budget not only increases the number of police recruits, but also provides avenues for more officers currently working behind a desk to return to the beat.
“Funding from this budget has been provided for the employment of 167 civilians to undertake administrative duties currently being performed by sworn officers and to assist our police.
“This focus on civilianisation recognises the need for utilising the talents of Queensland police officers to work within the community, fighting crime,” Ms Spence said.
“By employing more administrative staff, we can ensure police officers can spend as much time as possible out on the beat.
“While Queensland communities are well served with good police numbers, as evident in our police to population ratios, we want to ensure police time and resources are utilised to the maximum opportunity.”
Ms Spence said funding for major developments in IT technologies was also helping to improve police efficiency.
“This year’s budget provided $21.9 million for the continuing implementation of QPRIME, the police service’s new computer system,” Ms Spence said.
“This system is replacing a multitude of existing police computer systems, linking all occurrences involving a particular individual, location or vehicle.
“QPRIME will significantly reduce the time officers are required to spend entering information on to databases, and is a major step forward for criminal intelligence gathering and profiling.”
“The Beattie Government will not become complacent when it comes to adequately resourcing the Queensland Police Service.
“By ensuring our police are well equipped and supported we can ensure Queensland remains a safe place to live.”
More Information: Troy Davies – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said the ratio has decreased every year since the Beattie Government came to power, despite dramatic population growth throughout the state.
“The Beattie Government has continued to increase police numbers considerably since we were first elected in 1998,” Ms Spence said.
“We now have a state police-to-population ratio of 1 officer to every 435 people, far better than nine years ago when it was 1:507.
“This is the result of the state government’s commitment to bolstering police numbers every year and maintaining the police to population ratio at or below the National average.”
Ms Spence said Queensland’s police to population ratio will likely continue to improve, with this year’s budget providing a further 200 officers for the state, by October 2008.
“As the state’s population continues to grow, so too must our police service,” Ms Spence said.
“While the National and Liberal parties barely managed to increase police numbers by 200 over two years, the Beattie Government has achieved more than this number every year we’ve been in government.
“This year’s budget not only increases the number of police recruits, but also provides avenues for more officers currently working behind a desk to return to the beat.
“Funding from this budget has been provided for the employment of 167 civilians to undertake administrative duties currently being performed by sworn officers and to assist our police.
“This focus on civilianisation recognises the need for utilising the talents of Queensland police officers to work within the community, fighting crime,” Ms Spence said.
“By employing more administrative staff, we can ensure police officers can spend as much time as possible out on the beat.
“While Queensland communities are well served with good police numbers, as evident in our police to population ratios, we want to ensure police time and resources are utilised to the maximum opportunity.”
Ms Spence said funding for major developments in IT technologies was also helping to improve police efficiency.
“This year’s budget provided $21.9 million for the continuing implementation of QPRIME, the police service’s new computer system,” Ms Spence said.
“This system is replacing a multitude of existing police computer systems, linking all occurrences involving a particular individual, location or vehicle.
“QPRIME will significantly reduce the time officers are required to spend entering information on to databases, and is a major step forward for criminal intelligence gathering and profiling.”
“The Beattie Government will not become complacent when it comes to adequately resourcing the Queensland Police Service.
“By ensuring our police are well equipped and supported we can ensure Queensland remains a safe place to live.”
More Information: Troy Davies – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287