10 years of Taskforce Maxima results in more than 10,000 arrests

• Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) Taskforce Maxima marks 10 years investigating criminal offences associated with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs)
• Since its establishment, Taskforce Maxima has made over 10,000 OMCG arrests on more than 31,000 charges
• 53 now former-gang members supported to leave 10 OMCGs
• Taskforce Maxima was the first of its kind in Australia and is the longest-standing specialist OMCG unit nationally

Taskforce Maxima has marked its 10,000^th arrest as it hits 10 years protecting the Queensland community.

The arrests resulted in more than 31,000 charges against alleged OMCG members and associates.

A decade on from its establishment on 30 September 2013, Taskforce Maxima continues its commitment to protect Queensland from the unlawful and violent impact of OMCGs.

Established to disrupt, deter, and investigate serious gang activity – Taskforce Maxima was the first of its kind in Australia, and continues to be the longest-standing specialist OMCG unit nationally.

Officers under the Taskforce relentlessly pursue active gang-related offending including drug and firearm trafficking and violent offences, while working both in high visibility operations and covertly to disrupt and dismantle OMCG attempts to pervert the law.

Organised crime syndicates including OMCGs operate under violent and manipulative regimes, with the purpose of enacting power and making profit, all while putting associates, rivals, and innocent bystanders at risk.

Taskforce Maxima’s work is more than enforcement, having established the OMCG Exit Program.

The program helps members and associates leave the folds of organised crime and turn their lives around, to date supporting 53 now former-gang members to leave 10 OMCG groups, while providing educational programs that strike at OMCG attempts to recruit.

Quotes attributable to Minister Mark Ryan:

“These results over 10 years are a testament to QPS and Taskforce Maxima’s commitment to protect Queenslanders.

“Thousands of gang members have faced court because of its action, and no doubt countless criminal offences disrupted.

“To mark a decade of fighting the violent crime that comes with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs is an outstanding achievement, and I commend the Taskforce as it continues to shut down and prevent organised crime.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Katherine Innes:

“Taskforce Maxima pursues gangs relentlessly from investigating serious crimes to dismantling attempts to recruit and helping members away from a life of crime.

“The work this dedicated team do every day is vital in keeping the public safe and preventing the insidious actions of OMCGs from further infiltrating Queensland communities.

“The impact of Taskforce Maxima is much more than the number of arrests or charges, as impressive as they are.

“I applaud the Taskforce for a decade of dedication, as it continues its pursuit of a Queensland safe from gangs."

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

• The Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (SOCLAA) introduced a new organised crime regime for Queensland. This drew on three reviews commissioned by the Government into organised crime: the Queensland Organised Crime Commission of Inquiry; the Taskforce of Organised Crime Legislation and the Statutory Review of the Criminal Organisation Act 2009.
• Taskforce Maxima is a part of the Organised Crime Gangs Group in the Queensland Police Service Crime and Intelligence Command
• The QPS Exit program is for adult ex-gang members in Queensland wanting to end their involvement with OMCGs and the crimes associated with them. For more information, visit OMCG Exit Program | QPS (police.qld.gov.au).
• Grabs from the Minister can be found here.