World News – UA – Palaszczuk promises ‘historic’ increase in police numbers

Queensland Police Services are set to be bolstered with additional staff by 2025, more than half of whom will be frontline officers, the Queensland Prime Minister announced on Sunday

Annastacia Palaszczuk said the investment of $ 624 million over five years will include 1,450 new frontline workers, of whom around 150 will be assigned to each of the state’s regions

« That’s a huge number, and I’m so proud that we’re funding this It’s fully funded, it’s police across Queensland – the largest number we’ve seen in 30 years, » she declared

Staff increase follows recommendations from Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, who said it was an « extraordinary and historic » announcement

Positions include 50 in child protection and investigation units; 300 in communication centers, watch houses and prosecutions; 125 police liaison officers and police support officers in schools; and 100 frontline support staff

Ms Palaszczuk said her government had already delivered an additional 600 new police officers during her tenure, which shows the scale of the new commitment

The Prime Minister also announced 25 beatings of the mobile police – vans capable of traveling statewide if needed – as part of a wider commitment to the regional police

« We have a beaten up policeman in [shopping malls] Well now we are bringing these mobile vans to the community where they need them most, » she said.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said all new positions are fully funded, including the necessary equipment and resources

In a look at Campbell Newman’s LNP government for « underfunding the police »

« There wasn’t enough money to buy enough police cars for the police during those years. We’re fixing this, » he says

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the LNP had announced « hundreds » of new police officers as part of their campaign pledges, and that Labor was « lenient on crime »

« Our police officers deserve to have tough laws, and that’s why the LNP will introduce child protection laws, VI laws, making sure we have strong laws on child protection. firearms That’s what the police tell us, « said Ms Frecklington

Ms Carroll said she has completed a review of the future needs of the police service and, after months of discussions, was happy to see the government on board

« I obviously have the discretion to place staff where I need to go in the future, which is also extremely important, knowing that we have the agility and flexibility to respond to these demands », a- she declared

Queensland Police Union chairman Ian Leavers also welcomed the announcement, saying the Newman government cuts removed administrative staff from the police department, forcing on-duty officers to replace. p>

The police department has been strained in recent months, with hundreds of officers deployed for border management and hotel quarantine, withdrawing $ 22 million from QPS’s budget to help manage costs

Lucy is an urban affairs reporter for the Brisbane Times, with a special interest in Brisbane City Council

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Coronavirus, Queensland Police Department, Prime Minister, Government, Mark Ryan