Record Police Budget begins biggest boost to policing in three decades

The Palaszczuk Government’s 2020/21 record Police Budget will contribute to the biggest boost to policing in Queensland in three decades.

This historic investment is entirely fitting, given the integral role police have played on the borders keeping Queenslanders safe from the pandemic.

And it’s because of the Palaszczuk Government’s strong health response that we can continue delivering our plan for economic recovery.

And that includes investments supporting jobs – crucial frontline jobs like those undertaken by the members of our world class Queensland Police Service.

The 2020/21 budget supports the rollout of an extra 2025 police personnel over five years.

The delivery of those extra resources began on July 1, with intakes of new recruits already progressing through Queensland’s two police academies.

The extra personnel will not only give police an enhanced capability to respond to crime, but also to disrupt and prevent crime.

That is the Police Commissioner’s goal and the government wholly supports that objective.

In addition, a $300 million, five year, Capital Works program will deliver new police infrastructure across the state – and support jobs for local builders and tradies.

The record police budget also supports a number of other important initiatives, including among other things, the rollout of mobile police beats over the next few years.

Mobile Police Beats are an innovation the Commissioner was keen to introduce as a means of delivering a heightened police presence in local communities.

The Palaszczuk Government will also invest $35m over five years delivering 5,000 new QLiTE iPads to frontline police.

These devices are a cornerstone of the modern policing philosophy, characterised by a police service that is mobile, agile and able to respond swifty in numbers to wherever police are needed.

The investment in this technology will mean that every front-line officer has one of these devices.

The Palaszczuk Government will also support the rollout of an extra 4,500 body worn cameras to front line police over five years.

That investment means the total body worn camera fleet will number more than 12,000, making it one of the largest fleets in the world.

The Queensland Police Service was the first jurisdiction in Australasia to adopt a body worn camera regime.

The Palaszczuk Government will allocate an extra $9m to deliver 250 extra police  vehicles over five years.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said these investments in the Queensland Police Service would benefit the entire Queensland community.

“The Queensland Police Service is world class.

“And the Palaszczuk Government’s watershed investments in policing will further enhance that internationally recognised capability.

“Make no mistake, this is an historic investment in policing that will deliver more than 2,000 extra personnel.

“And we are backing that investment in jobs with all of the vital equipment police need to keep Queenslanders safe.

“Our police have performed magnificently during what has been an extraordinarily challenging year.

“I want to the thank each and every member of the Queensland Police Service for helping to keep the community safe.”

ENDS

Media contact: 
Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300