Police to keep up presence at JCU

POLICE will maintain the James Cook University beat for at least five more years but a student leader says a stronger presence is needed.

Townsville Police Chief Superintendent Kev Guteridge yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with JCU’s estate director Hilary Kavanagh, committing to operate at least three shifts a week from the campus beat.

Police have had a presence at the campus since 2008 but JCU Student Association president Kimberley Rogers- Ford said 90 per cent of the student population did not know they were there.

She said a stronger police presence could help combat a culture problem at the university, highlighted by the 2017 independent report which investigated evidence of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

“I don’t think we need police patrolling the grounds but to have someone of authority there to go to and report incidents would give people confidence that they are going to someone who is actually going to get results,” Ms Rogers- Ford said.

“Every time I walk past ( the police beat) it’s closed … if it was open full- time it would make it a lot more accessible and give people a place to go.”

Issues in the “Broderick Report” included a lack of awareness of sexual assault and harassment, inadequate responses to reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault, physical spaces where people feel unsafe and a lack of clarity surrounding consensual staff- student relationships.

Mr Kavanagh said all 32 recommendations of the report would be adopted.

He said the campus also had a 24/ 7 security team.

Chief Supt Guteridge said Stuart Police Station also serviced JCU and officers had found most call- outs to the university were in response to crimes committed by outsiders. A TEENAGER accused of assaulting a 17- year- old at Townsville Airport and threatening to shoot a security guard has been refused bail.

Owen Kenneth Matthew Carpenter was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with assault, threatening violence and stealing. Police allege he and three teenage girls went to the airport to wait for the alleged victim’s flight from Brisbane to land. Carpenter allegedly “cornered” and assaulted the teen, threatening to smash his head into a glass window.

Defence solicitor Kellie Mythen made an application for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday, which was opposed by prosecutor Codie Rowe. Acting Magistrate Scott Luxton reserved his decision until yesterday, when he refused the application. Carpenter will appear on February 2.