New laws passed for public nuisance offences: Spence
Published Tuesday, 25 November, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
New laws to allow police to issue on-the-spot fines for public nuisance offences were today passed by State Parliament.
Minister for Police and Corrective Services Judy Spence said the new laws will enable a 12-month trial of the new ticketing system to start on 1 January 2009 in the Townsville and South Brisbane police districts.
“The new system will free up the court system, by removing thousands of public nuisance offences each year,” Ms Spence said.
“It will also mean that police spend less time on court work and will be able to devote more time to police work in the community.
“In the trial areas of South Brisbane and Townsville, the Queensland Police Service reported over 2600 public nuisance offenders over the last year alone, translating to an estimated saving of over 150 police hours per month.
“Under the new system, police will have the power to issue tickets on-the-spot, as an alternative to arresting the offender and issuing a notice to appear in court.
“As part of the new approach, urinating in public will be designated as a specific public nuisance offence attracting a $100 on-the-spot-fine, following the increase of penalty units by the Premier today.
“The maximum penalty for public nuisance offences will be $300, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
“Police will also be able to issue tickets and on-the-spot fines for people who obstruct police or disobey a police direction in relation to public nuisance offences.
“These new laws have been introduced in direct response to recommendations made in a CMC review of public nuisance offences in Queensland.”
Ms Spence said in 2007-08, more than 26,000 public nuisance offences were recorded in Queensland for disorderly, offensive, threatening and violent behaviour.
“While the new approach is expected to significantly reduce the number of people entering the court system, serious offenders will still be arrested and charged,” she said.
“By giving police the power to rapidly deal with public nuisance offences on the spot, the new approach will also allow police to spend more time on the beat responding to the needs of the community.
“The new system means that those offenders who do not need to be arrested can simply receive a ticket for their offence in the same way a person receives a traffic ticket.
“In addition, people who have been arrested can later be released and issued a ticket – reducing the amount of paperwork our frontline police need to complete.
“This will be an extra option for police to apply more discretion when dealing with public nuisance offences, in addition to the existing suite of options including arrest, issuing a notice to appear, issuing a warning or issuing a move-on direction.”
Ends
Media contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Minister for Police and Corrective Services Judy Spence said the new laws will enable a 12-month trial of the new ticketing system to start on 1 January 2009 in the Townsville and South Brisbane police districts.
“The new system will free up the court system, by removing thousands of public nuisance offences each year,” Ms Spence said.
“It will also mean that police spend less time on court work and will be able to devote more time to police work in the community.
“In the trial areas of South Brisbane and Townsville, the Queensland Police Service reported over 2600 public nuisance offenders over the last year alone, translating to an estimated saving of over 150 police hours per month.
“Under the new system, police will have the power to issue tickets on-the-spot, as an alternative to arresting the offender and issuing a notice to appear in court.
“As part of the new approach, urinating in public will be designated as a specific public nuisance offence attracting a $100 on-the-spot-fine, following the increase of penalty units by the Premier today.
“The maximum penalty for public nuisance offences will be $300, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
“Police will also be able to issue tickets and on-the-spot fines for people who obstruct police or disobey a police direction in relation to public nuisance offences.
“These new laws have been introduced in direct response to recommendations made in a CMC review of public nuisance offences in Queensland.”
Ms Spence said in 2007-08, more than 26,000 public nuisance offences were recorded in Queensland for disorderly, offensive, threatening and violent behaviour.
“While the new approach is expected to significantly reduce the number of people entering the court system, serious offenders will still be arrested and charged,” she said.
“By giving police the power to rapidly deal with public nuisance offences on the spot, the new approach will also allow police to spend more time on the beat responding to the needs of the community.
“The new system means that those offenders who do not need to be arrested can simply receive a ticket for their offence in the same way a person receives a traffic ticket.
“In addition, people who have been arrested can later be released and issued a ticket – reducing the amount of paperwork our frontline police need to complete.
“This will be an extra option for police to apply more discretion when dealing with public nuisance offences, in addition to the existing suite of options including arrest, issuing a notice to appear, issuing a warning or issuing a move-on direction.”
Ends
Media contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218