Unified stance crucial for us all

It’s no secret police officers are at their wits’ end, trying to curb youth crime while being met with resistance from the judiciary.

But questions remain over how far officers should go in dealing with youth on the streets.

Gold Coast Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway has been stood down after a claim was made that he allowed officers to ram a stolen Volkswagen Arteon when it had been driving on its rims for 18 minutes – after tyredeflating devices, or stingers, were used.

An internal police unit is reviewing the claim and it’s the second time Sen Sgt Ottaway has been stood down for a pursuit. Last year he was placed on desk duties after a probe into the police ramming while pursuing a stolen car driven by teens.

Without prejudging the review into the actions of Sgt Ottaway, such pit manoeuvres can be generally dangerous, and deadly, if not handled with ultimate precision, so it is understandable concerns have been raised over the tactic.

But what this February 1 incident shows is the heightened level of frustration being felt by Queensland police as the youth-crime crisis rages out of control. Car thefts in particular are on the rise.

In the incident this year, officers had been tracking a group which had stolen an Audi 5 and was allegedly involved in several dangerous driving incidents.

The Audi was driven to a house in Pacific Pines and people armed with weapons hopped out and allegedly threatened others before stealing the Arteon.

The two vehicles then went to a house in Mermaid Waters, where a failed carjacking was alleged to have taken place.

Police started tracking the cars – eventually ramming the Arteon. Officers also arrested the people in the Audi.

Many colleagues are said to be angry Sen Sgt Ottaway was stood down, while Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers has labelled it “an example of the disconnect between senior management in the South Eastern Police Region and frontline police”.

Mr Leavers has called on Commissioner Katarina Carroll to intervene.

While this is a matter for the Ethical Review Command – which has declined to comment at this time – it does sound the alarm loud and clear that existing measures to reduce youth crime are considered ineffective by a growing number of police officers.

The QPS, the judiciary and the government need to get on the same page – and fast – if our communities are to become safer.