Funding boost shows commitment to local policing

THE Townsville community can be assured that the QPS remains committed to their safety and security.

The discretionary budget for the Townsville Police District increased from $ 8.023 million in 2013- 14 to $ 9.4 million this financial year.

These figures do not include funding for salaries and wages which are centrally managed within the Queensland Police Service.

The Townsville District budget also does not take into account the many additional specialist units which are permanently based here.

Police officers from areas such as road policing, dog squad, water police and intelligence are not counted in the Townsville District staffing numbers or budget.

These officers are permanently based in Townsville but counted in staffing numbers for the centrally based commands to which they belong.

The Queensland Police Service prioritised an additional $ 11.5 million this financial year to fund equipment, training, facilities and crime prevention initiatives of which Townsville District received some of the funding.

The $ 9.4 million this financial year included an extra $ 300,000 at the start of April for Operation Papa Advance to target property and other related crime issues and an additional $ 295,000 and staffing to fund Operation Oscar Merchant aimed at tackling youth crime in the city.

Budget spends at specific stations might differ from year to year based on a range of factors including crime and equipment needs.

However, the Townsville District budget has increased and is the central fund used to allocate resources to police divisions based on needs across the district.

We appreciate community concerns about crime in their neighbourhoods and continue to work hard to prevent and stop criminal behaviour throughout the district.

This commitment is the top priority when it comes to considering local budgets and fighting crime will continue to be the number one focus.

I thank the community for its support and the many hundreds of police officers working hard here day and night to ensure the safety and security of us all. PAUL TAYLOR, Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Queensland Police Service.