Published Saturday, 25 October, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister Spence announces a dozen extra police for Cairns
Police Minister Judy Spence has announced that Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has advised her that an extra 12 police will be appointed to the Cairns Police District to help reduce crime in the popular north Queensland tourist destination.
Ms Spence said: “Five new Senior Sergeants will be posted to Cairns District, to take up roles as District Duty Officers, while seven extra police will join the district’s Tactical Crime Squad.
“The District Duty Officers will perform duties 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing a major boost to operational policing services in the Cairns area.
“These are highly experienced police officers who will manage major incidents within the District, and valuable support and advice to operational police on the ground within the Cairns area.
“They will also be available on a 24/7 basis to provide advice to isolated officers across Cape York.
“These additional police officers will significantly strengthen police efforts aimed at fighting crime and providing a safe public environment in the Cairns area,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said: “The seven additional officers being assigned to the Cairns District Tactical Crime Squad will form a dedicated Bike Squad for targeted patrols in the Cairns Central Business District and foreshore area.
“These officers will operate on both mountain bikes and motorcycles, allowing them to rapidly respond to incidents both on and off the road.
“Queensland’s first dedicated Bike Squad in Brisbane’s Central Business District has been a big success.
“The officers travel an average of 25 kilometres per shift, providing a fast response to incidents, as they cross entire city blocks in a matter of minutes by travelling through arcades, down laneways and along walkways.
“It is expected the Cairns bike squad will operate in a similar fashion, providing a new highly-visible police presence and a capacity to target street level crime and disorder.
“The officers will also be available to patrol with other members of the existing Tactical Crime Squad in other parts of the Cairns District when necessary.”
Ms Spence said the extra positions will provide a good mix of highly visible police officers – police located on the street where they are seen and ready to respond – as well as senior officers providing experience and expertise.
“The Bligh Government takes the issues of police numbers and police resources very seriously,” Ms Spence said.
“Within available budget resources, we are doing all we can to provide as many police as possible throughout Queensland.
“Boosting police numbers in Cairns is an on-going process. Over time, as the population in Cairns and surrounding areas continues to increase, so too will the number of police,” Ms Spence said.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: 3239 6218 Police Media: 3015 2444
Ms Spence said: “Five new Senior Sergeants will be posted to Cairns District, to take up roles as District Duty Officers, while seven extra police will join the district’s Tactical Crime Squad.
“The District Duty Officers will perform duties 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing a major boost to operational policing services in the Cairns area.
“These are highly experienced police officers who will manage major incidents within the District, and valuable support and advice to operational police on the ground within the Cairns area.
“They will also be available on a 24/7 basis to provide advice to isolated officers across Cape York.
“These additional police officers will significantly strengthen police efforts aimed at fighting crime and providing a safe public environment in the Cairns area,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said: “The seven additional officers being assigned to the Cairns District Tactical Crime Squad will form a dedicated Bike Squad for targeted patrols in the Cairns Central Business District and foreshore area.
“These officers will operate on both mountain bikes and motorcycles, allowing them to rapidly respond to incidents both on and off the road.
“Queensland’s first dedicated Bike Squad in Brisbane’s Central Business District has been a big success.
“The officers travel an average of 25 kilometres per shift, providing a fast response to incidents, as they cross entire city blocks in a matter of minutes by travelling through arcades, down laneways and along walkways.
“It is expected the Cairns bike squad will operate in a similar fashion, providing a new highly-visible police presence and a capacity to target street level crime and disorder.
“The officers will also be available to patrol with other members of the existing Tactical Crime Squad in other parts of the Cairns District when necessary.”
Ms Spence said the extra positions will provide a good mix of highly visible police officers – police located on the street where they are seen and ready to respond – as well as senior officers providing experience and expertise.
“The Bligh Government takes the issues of police numbers and police resources very seriously,” Ms Spence said.
“Within available budget resources, we are doing all we can to provide as many police as possible throughout Queensland.
“Boosting police numbers in Cairns is an on-going process. Over time, as the population in Cairns and surrounding areas continues to increase, so too will the number of police,” Ms Spence said.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: 3239 6218 Police Media: 3015 2444