MP lobbies for fallen officers

NICK Dametto has called for the state government to fast-track its response to a petition calling for proper recognition of police officers who have died by suicide.

The Hinchinbrook MP tabled the e-petition yesterday morning as parliament started its last sitting week before the election.

But Police Minister Mark Ryan said was a decision best left up to the police.

Mr Dametto said with the government going into caretaker mode on September 6, Mr Ryan should prioritise his response to the petition in order to give families of fallen officers a “definitive answer”.

The petition was launched in support of Steven Isles, the son of Senior Sergeant Michael Isles, who has been missing for more than 10 years.

In 2012, a coroner ruled the Ayr police ofit ficer died by suicide, which was the reason he was excluded from the honour roll.

“Once a petition is tabled in parliament, it is assigned to the relevant government minister for a response within 30 days,” he said. “However, there is a risk we may not receive one in this time frame once the government goes into caretaker mode on October 6, ahead of the election on October 31.

“If that happens, we’ll have to wait until after the election.”

Mr Ryan said Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was looking into the matter.

“Police officers in Queensland share many of the same attributes – courage, duty, integrity and sacrifice – and the one thing they all have in common is that they are part of the police family,” Mr Ryan said.

“It makes sense that their own families would want them to be remembered for the personal sacrifices they have made.”