SPENCE WELCOMES SWEARING IN OF QLD POLICE TO PROTECT AIRPORTS
Published Monday, 20 August, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister for Police Judy Spence has welcomed the swearing in of 25 experienced Queensland police officers as special members of the Australian Federal Police to provide increased security at Brisbane International Airport.
“These officers are the first of 113 Queensland police we have provided to the Australian Federal Police on a two-year deployment to provide a policing presence at our three international airports,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Government is happy to provide these officers to ensure the safety and security of airports throughout our state.
“By the middle of next year there should be 57 Queensland police officers working with the Australian Federal Police at Brisbane International Airport and 28 officers at both the Coolangatta and Cairns airports.”
Ms Spence said Queensland’s commitment to providing officers to the Australian Federal Police was greater than other states.
“Other Australian states have only had to commit enough police for one international airport, however Queensland has three international airports which means we’ve had to provide more police,” Ms Spence said.
“We’re happy to provide these officers at the request of the AFP which was not able to train and provide enough of their own.
“Our officers are some of the best trained and skilled in the country and it’s fantastic to see they are able to fulfil this important role as Airport Uniform Police preserving safety and security at Queensland’s international airports.”
Ms Spence said the Queensland Police Service had factored in the deployment of the 113 officers into its recruitment numbers.
“Police expect 691 new officers to be sworn in during 2007-08 and this will increase our police numbers by 200 officers despite the secondment of these police to the Australian Federal Police,” Ms Spence said.
“This commitment is in addition to the 11 police sent to the Northern Territory, the 10 police sent to Timor Leste and 10 officers sent to Solomon Islands as part of international deployments by the Australian Federal Police.
“The Queensland Government is providing a significant contribution to security at our airports as well as other countries in our region,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“These officers are the first of 113 Queensland police we have provided to the Australian Federal Police on a two-year deployment to provide a policing presence at our three international airports,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Government is happy to provide these officers to ensure the safety and security of airports throughout our state.
“By the middle of next year there should be 57 Queensland police officers working with the Australian Federal Police at Brisbane International Airport and 28 officers at both the Coolangatta and Cairns airports.”
Ms Spence said Queensland’s commitment to providing officers to the Australian Federal Police was greater than other states.
“Other Australian states have only had to commit enough police for one international airport, however Queensland has three international airports which means we’ve had to provide more police,” Ms Spence said.
“We’re happy to provide these officers at the request of the AFP which was not able to train and provide enough of their own.
“Our officers are some of the best trained and skilled in the country and it’s fantastic to see they are able to fulfil this important role as Airport Uniform Police preserving safety and security at Queensland’s international airports.”
Ms Spence said the Queensland Police Service had factored in the deployment of the 113 officers into its recruitment numbers.
“Police expect 691 new officers to be sworn in during 2007-08 and this will increase our police numbers by 200 officers despite the secondment of these police to the Australian Federal Police,” Ms Spence said.
“This commitment is in addition to the 11 police sent to the Northern Territory, the 10 police sent to Timor Leste and 10 officers sent to Solomon Islands as part of international deployments by the Australian Federal Police.
“The Queensland Government is providing a significant contribution to security at our airports as well as other countries in our region,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287