GOVERNMENT EXTENDS POLICE COMMISSIONER'S CONTRACT: SPENCE
Published Thursday, 20 September, 2007 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence has announced the State Government will renew the contract of Queensland Police Service Commissioner Bob Atkinson until 2010.
“Commissioner Atkinson has brought integrity, good judgement and a greater focus on professionalism to the Queensland Police Service,” Ms Spence said.
“During the seven years he has been in charge Commissioner Atkinson has managed significant growth in the Queensland Police Service with 2500 more officers than when he took over.
“He has also produced excellent results in reducing crime in Queensland despite a significant growth in population.
“Yesterday I informed the police union of the government’s decision and there was general agreement at the meeting that the main priority for the police service for at least the next two years should be the management of issues related to “First Response Policing.”
“We agreed to look at a different management model and to progress this a Human Resources Committee chaired by Assistant Commissioner Kathy Rynders will examine all aspects of first response policing and identify options and resource issues.”
“The meeting also acknowledged there will always be a need for police officers such as Detectives, Scenes of Crime, Dog Squad and the Water Police, as well as police who are currently classified as being “non operational” in areas like the PCYC, Police Academy and Ethical Standards Command.”
Ms Spence said keeping pace with Queensland’s rapidly expanding growth and development is a challenge not just for the Police Service but for all areas of Government.
“We have a good Police Service that delivers to the public a 24 hour response in all areas of Queensland 365 days a year, but we must always look at how we can improve on service delivery.”
“This year the Government has funded the Queensland Police Service for 167 civilian positions that will in most cases directly release police to perform operational tasks.
“I am pleased to announce that part of this rollout across the state will include five civilian positions for the front counters at both Surfers Paradise and Southport and five civilian positions for the watchhouse at Southport.
“This should effectively release 15 police at Surfers Paradise and Southport for operational duties, on top of the increase of 25 additional officers for Surfers Paradise and 10 for Southport, which I announced with the Commissioner earlier this year.”
Ms Spence said that additional civilian positions and police positions will also continue to be allocated to the Gold Coast District as they become available.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“Commissioner Atkinson has brought integrity, good judgement and a greater focus on professionalism to the Queensland Police Service,” Ms Spence said.
“During the seven years he has been in charge Commissioner Atkinson has managed significant growth in the Queensland Police Service with 2500 more officers than when he took over.
“He has also produced excellent results in reducing crime in Queensland despite a significant growth in population.
“Yesterday I informed the police union of the government’s decision and there was general agreement at the meeting that the main priority for the police service for at least the next two years should be the management of issues related to “First Response Policing.”
“We agreed to look at a different management model and to progress this a Human Resources Committee chaired by Assistant Commissioner Kathy Rynders will examine all aspects of first response policing and identify options and resource issues.”
“The meeting also acknowledged there will always be a need for police officers such as Detectives, Scenes of Crime, Dog Squad and the Water Police, as well as police who are currently classified as being “non operational” in areas like the PCYC, Police Academy and Ethical Standards Command.”
Ms Spence said keeping pace with Queensland’s rapidly expanding growth and development is a challenge not just for the Police Service but for all areas of Government.
“We have a good Police Service that delivers to the public a 24 hour response in all areas of Queensland 365 days a year, but we must always look at how we can improve on service delivery.”
“This year the Government has funded the Queensland Police Service for 167 civilian positions that will in most cases directly release police to perform operational tasks.
“I am pleased to announce that part of this rollout across the state will include five civilian positions for the front counters at both Surfers Paradise and Southport and five civilian positions for the watchhouse at Southport.
“This should effectively release 15 police at Surfers Paradise and Southport for operational duties, on top of the increase of 25 additional officers for Surfers Paradise and 10 for Southport, which I announced with the Commissioner earlier this year.”
Ms Spence said that additional civilian positions and police positions will also continue to be allocated to the Gold Coast District as they become available.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287