POLICE BOOST WILL HAPPEN New Commissioner happy with rollout

QUEENSLAND’S new top cop says she is satisfied with police resources in Townsville despite ongoing concerns of dwindling officers on the beat.

Katarina Carroll, who was sworn in as Police Commissioner on Monday, said she was pleased with current resources and the 53 officers pledged at the last election almost two years ago would be delivered on time.

“They will be delivered within the next two years,” she said.

“At the head of the organisation I have got to strategically place officers across the entire state and Townsville is one of those areas.

“I am satisfied that we are going to deliver that so just leave it with me for the next few months to get out and about and I will revisit that.”

Ms Carroll, who visited the city yesterday, said she was satisfied with police numbers in Townsville but would always welcome more.

Sources have previously told the Townsville Bulletin the additional 53 officers would help “relieve the pressure” being felt by the service across the district but they were unsure whether they would be delivered.

A shortage of police officers on a night shift last month forced Kirwan Station, Townsville’s busiest, to close.

The Queensland Police Union has claimed Townsville needed 100 additional officers just to keep up with current calls for service and keep the community safe.

But president Ian Leavers said yesterday, the commissioner had only started this week and police numbers had not been discussed. Writing in the latest Queensland Police Union Journal, Northern Region representative Peter Thomas questioned when the officers would be delivered.

He said crime numbers were increasing and police resources were stretched to the maximum.

“Not only does the community deserve better, but our members deserve more. It is unfair and unrealistic to have our members constantly under significant pressure,” Mr Thomas wrote.

“I expect additional staffing to appear in smaller numbers, but to this point we have had no additional officer numbers to Townsville. If I was a betting man I would place money on the appearance of a small number of these pledged officers with a fanfare of media and local politicians congratulating each other just before the next election.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the money had been made available.

“Those numbers are to be rolled out over a period of time,” he said.

“The police allocate those resources in accordance with their priorities and of course where the policing need exists.

“The commissioner’s been very clear that the 53 will be delivered to Townsville over the period of time committed and I trust her.”