SPENCE: POLICE ANNOUNCE PRIORITY POLICING POLICY
Published Saturday, 22 September, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence and Commissioner Bob Atkinson today announced that the Queensland Police Service will implement an innovative new policy for first response policing in Queensland.
Ms Spence said the “Priority Policing Policy” will provide enhanced service delivery and police response through efficient use of existing police staff and resources.
“The Priority Policing Policy will provide an appropriate solution to urgent calls and spikes in ‘calls for service’ by ensuring that police are available to address a range of calls, in the most timely way possible,” Ms Spence said.
“If for example, there is an increase in routine police calls in a Division, police resources from other Divisions or from operational areas, including Traffic Branch, Inquiries office, Tactical Crime Squad, or the Criminal Investigation Branch, will be allocated tasks to assist.
“Whilst Priority Policing may currently be utilised on an informal basis in some areas around the state, the implementation of the Priority Policing Policy will formalise the process and standardise it throughout the State.
“The police service will also be examining a system where officers currently not working in general duties first response policing could be tasked to the beat for a period of time each year.
“We will consider similar models in use in other states.”
Commissioner Bob Atkinson said that he valued the work that first response general duties police officers do in our community and said that these police have a difficult job and are kept busy in this important front line role.
“This new approach will support our general duties officers in maintaining the high level of policing that we provide.
“This model is all about better use of the resources that we have to ensure maximum overall efficiency.
“Priority Policing will enhance service delivery by sending available units to Code 1 & 2 jobs, and to Code 3 jobs, where there is an actual or potential risk to the safety of any individual.
This tiered response would mean using units from adjoining divisions as well as district and regional specialist units such as Traffic Branch, TCS, Enquiries and CIB/CPIU staff.
“Local general duty crews will remain first response officers, however they will be supported by other police, depending on the nature and circumstances of the call.
“I am confident that the QPS has the necessary resources to implement this policy and enhance our first response throughout the state and we will introduce Priority Policing as soon as possible while ensuring its development is measured and practical,” Mr Atkinson said.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – Nicola Hazell 0408 732 491
Police Media – 3015 2444
Ms Spence said the “Priority Policing Policy” will provide enhanced service delivery and police response through efficient use of existing police staff and resources.
“The Priority Policing Policy will provide an appropriate solution to urgent calls and spikes in ‘calls for service’ by ensuring that police are available to address a range of calls, in the most timely way possible,” Ms Spence said.
“If for example, there is an increase in routine police calls in a Division, police resources from other Divisions or from operational areas, including Traffic Branch, Inquiries office, Tactical Crime Squad, or the Criminal Investigation Branch, will be allocated tasks to assist.
“Whilst Priority Policing may currently be utilised on an informal basis in some areas around the state, the implementation of the Priority Policing Policy will formalise the process and standardise it throughout the State.
“The police service will also be examining a system where officers currently not working in general duties first response policing could be tasked to the beat for a period of time each year.
“We will consider similar models in use in other states.”
Commissioner Bob Atkinson said that he valued the work that first response general duties police officers do in our community and said that these police have a difficult job and are kept busy in this important front line role.
“This new approach will support our general duties officers in maintaining the high level of policing that we provide.
“This model is all about better use of the resources that we have to ensure maximum overall efficiency.
“Priority Policing will enhance service delivery by sending available units to Code 1 & 2 jobs, and to Code 3 jobs, where there is an actual or potential risk to the safety of any individual.
This tiered response would mean using units from adjoining divisions as well as district and regional specialist units such as Traffic Branch, TCS, Enquiries and CIB/CPIU staff.
“Local general duty crews will remain first response officers, however they will be supported by other police, depending on the nature and circumstances of the call.
“I am confident that the QPS has the necessary resources to implement this policy and enhance our first response throughout the state and we will introduce Priority Policing as soon as possible while ensuring its development is measured and practical,” Mr Atkinson said.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – Nicola Hazell 0408 732 491
Police Media – 3015 2444