Published Tuesday, 25 May, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
TWO WATER POLICE VESSELS NAMED IN HONOUR OF FALLEN OFFICERS
Two of the newest vessels in the Queensland Water Police’s fleet have been officially commissioned and named in Cairns today.
Police Minister Neil Roberts and Assistant Commissioner Andy Henderson today commissioned the 9-metre Ivan ‘Magpie’ Brodie rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and the 22-metre catamaran W Conroy.
Mr Roberts said the two vessels significantly enhanced the Cairns Water Police’s ability to respond to incidents in the Far North.
“The Ivan ‘Magpie’ Brodie is the newest addition to the fleet in Cairns and is the second RHIB to bear the name of Ivan Brodie,” Mr Roberts said.
“It has a multi-purpose role of marine law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
“The W Conroy is one of three 22-metre command and patrol catamarans funded by the Bligh Government that are now being used by the Queensland Police Service,” Mr Roberts said.
“The catamaran, worth around $3.75 million, was specifically designed and equipped to conduct police operations and patrols in Queensland’s coastal waters.
“It’s design and fit-out, including advanced electronics and communications systems, complements the dual role of marine law enforcement and search and rescue operations.”
Mr Roberts said the W Conroy had already travelled more than 15,000 nautical miles since it entered service in the Far North around 12 months ago.
Assistant Commissioner Henderson said both vessels were fitting tributes to Senior Constable William Conroy, one of the 137 Queensland police officers to be killed in the line of duty, and Senior Sergeant Ivan Brodie.
“Senior Constable William Conroy was tragically killed on July 2, 1895 after responding to a domestic disturbance on Thursday Island,” Asst Commissioner Henderson said.
“A man had stabbed his wife in an argument and as Senior Constable Conroy witnessed the attack, he placed himself between the man and his wife in a courageous attempt to protect her.
“Although stabbed a number of times and bleeding, Senior Constable Conroy managed to restrain the man until he could be assisted by the arrival of another officer.”
Asst Commissioner Henderson said Senior Sergeant Brodie, the first full-time Officer in Charge of the Special Emergency Response Team in Far North Queensland, had a strong passion for police special operations.
“Ivan’s codename was ‘Magpie’ and he displayed traits of leadership, dedication, courage, commitment and absolute loyalty to the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
“Ivan was awarded the National Medal in 1984, the clasp in 1995, the Queensland Police Service Medal in 2000 and the 25 year clasp in 2000. He passed away in Brisbane in February 2001 after a short illness.
“I can think of no better recognition for these two fine officers than to name these two vessels in their honour.”
Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said she was delighted to have the two vessels in the Water Police’s Far North Queensland fleet.
“I know from talking to our local Water Police officers that they are excited to have these vessels at their disposal,” Ms Boyle said.
“They will provide a real boost to police efforts in serving and protecting our local community for whom fishing, diving and other water sports are so important.”
Media contact: Minister’s office – 0488 096 204; Police Media – (07) 3015 2444
Police Minister Neil Roberts and Assistant Commissioner Andy Henderson today commissioned the 9-metre Ivan ‘Magpie’ Brodie rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and the 22-metre catamaran W Conroy.
Mr Roberts said the two vessels significantly enhanced the Cairns Water Police’s ability to respond to incidents in the Far North.
“The Ivan ‘Magpie’ Brodie is the newest addition to the fleet in Cairns and is the second RHIB to bear the name of Ivan Brodie,” Mr Roberts said.
“It has a multi-purpose role of marine law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
“The W Conroy is one of three 22-metre command and patrol catamarans funded by the Bligh Government that are now being used by the Queensland Police Service,” Mr Roberts said.
“The catamaran, worth around $3.75 million, was specifically designed and equipped to conduct police operations and patrols in Queensland’s coastal waters.
“It’s design and fit-out, including advanced electronics and communications systems, complements the dual role of marine law enforcement and search and rescue operations.”
Mr Roberts said the W Conroy had already travelled more than 15,000 nautical miles since it entered service in the Far North around 12 months ago.
Assistant Commissioner Henderson said both vessels were fitting tributes to Senior Constable William Conroy, one of the 137 Queensland police officers to be killed in the line of duty, and Senior Sergeant Ivan Brodie.
“Senior Constable William Conroy was tragically killed on July 2, 1895 after responding to a domestic disturbance on Thursday Island,” Asst Commissioner Henderson said.
“A man had stabbed his wife in an argument and as Senior Constable Conroy witnessed the attack, he placed himself between the man and his wife in a courageous attempt to protect her.
“Although stabbed a number of times and bleeding, Senior Constable Conroy managed to restrain the man until he could be assisted by the arrival of another officer.”
Asst Commissioner Henderson said Senior Sergeant Brodie, the first full-time Officer in Charge of the Special Emergency Response Team in Far North Queensland, had a strong passion for police special operations.
“Ivan’s codename was ‘Magpie’ and he displayed traits of leadership, dedication, courage, commitment and absolute loyalty to the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
“Ivan was awarded the National Medal in 1984, the clasp in 1995, the Queensland Police Service Medal in 2000 and the 25 year clasp in 2000. He passed away in Brisbane in February 2001 after a short illness.
“I can think of no better recognition for these two fine officers than to name these two vessels in their honour.”
Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said she was delighted to have the two vessels in the Water Police’s Far North Queensland fleet.
“I know from talking to our local Water Police officers that they are excited to have these vessels at their disposal,” Ms Boyle said.
“They will provide a real boost to police efforts in serving and protecting our local community for whom fishing, diving and other water sports are so important.”
Media contact: Minister’s office – 0488 096 204; Police Media – (07) 3015 2444