44 NEW COPS
Premier promises to stop Coast crime wave
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk will today announce the Glitter Strip is to get more police officers to help fight bikies and stop domestic violence. The announcement is the biggest sign yet that the Government will this weekend push the button on a late November poll. Labor insiders want the Premier to run hard and fast, and the police announcements will eliminate the Opposition’s biggest weapon — that Labor is soft on crime on the Coast. The
Bulletin’s Grim Blue Line series has highlighted shortfalls in police resources during a crime wave.
THE Gold Coast will get another 44 additional police officers as speculation increases about the Palaszczuk Government calling a state election.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will today announce the allocation of new officers as part of several major law and order initiatives.
The Bulletin has been told Police Commissioner Ian Stewart directed the additional officers be sent to the Coast.
Four domestic violence coordinators will also be based on the Coast to train fellow police and liaise with the community and government and non-government agencies.
Taskforce Maxima will also see a boost in numbers to tackle outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The announcements follow the Bulletin’s Grim Blue Line series which highlighted skyrocketing crime rates and a cutback in police budgets.
The latest police annual report reveals an 85 per cent rise in violent crime and the region recording the highest increase in grievous assault at 19 per cent.
Coast Opposition MPs in State Parliament this week attacked the Premier about police staffing, maintaining the city had 40 fewer cops than a year ago.
The LNP is campaigning on the Government being soft on crime and MPs expect the Premier will tomorrow announce a poll date for later next month.
Ms Palaszczuk said the additional resourcing would make the Gold Coast even safer for families and visitors alike.
“As we move closer to the Commonwealth Games, we know the eyes of 1.5 billion people around the world will be focused on the Gold Coast,” the Premier said.
“One of the most important things for any family – be they from Queensland, or the hundreds of thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas who come to the Gold Coast each year – is feeling safe.
“We’ve already undertaken the process of ensuring our frontline police officers have the best equipment available.
“Now we will boost those frontline numbers even further.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan defended Labor’s performance on police resourcing.
Since the Government was elected, 1039 first-year constables had hit the beat and another 41 were due to graduate next week, he said.
“We have increased the number of police officers by more than 300, bringing the total number of permanent police positions to more than 11,880 and gave these hardworking officers more body worn cameras, QLiTE tablets and better pay and conditions,” Mr Ryan said.