New officer for southern schools to keep

“I think it’s a bit weak to say they won’t release it for operational reasons. How would staffing numbers in a police station affect operational numbers?

“I think in the interests of accountability and transparency – why aren’t people allowed to know? This is where your taxes are going. People are entitled to know where the resources are being placed.”

The only public data showing a breakdown of resourcing to stations was provided in June in State Parliament when the Opposition asked for operational budgets.

Those figures showed the Coast would receive $1.371 million less for capital works in 2017-18 compared to 2016-17 with several stations working off smaller budgets.

Other budget figures showed the Crime and Corruption Commission was receiving $362,000 less this year and its “targeted criminal entities” reached 86 per cent, down from 100 per cent on the previous year. TWO Southern Gold Coast schools will share a schoolbased police officer under a plan to make schools safer.

LNP Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey said the police officer would be shared between Palm Beach Currumbin State High School and Elanora State High School.

“Kids of today are just facing so many more challenges than the ever had before,” Ms Stuckey said.

“There is a whole list of things that school-based police officers have been proven to reduce including aggressive behaviour.”

She said the inclusion of school-based officers also ensured students knew what to do if approached to try drugs such as ice.

Ms Stuckey said she had been requesting an additional school-based officer for a year but had been unsuccessful.

There are currently 50 police officers working in 58 high schools across the state, including Beenleigh, Robina, Southport and Upper Coomera.