Testing times a burden on crims
HIGH-END criminals released from prison are now being randomly drug tested at their homes in a police crackdown on “the worst of the worst’’.
Bikies, violent and sexual offenders released on parole can now expect a knock at the door and be subjected to spot tests as Gold Coast police turn up the heat to ensure they are not breaching parole requirements.
Previously, parolees were only given random drug and alcohol tests when they reported at a police station, but can now be tested at their homes at any time.
The Bulletin this year reported police had been given the power to drug test alleged offenders out on bail. Officers say that has been extremely successful in catching crims breaching their conditions.
The Australian-first trial in which police now check parolees in their homes has been running since June 24, with police testing 18 people for cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy resulting in four positive returns for meth.
The trial is expected to run for a year, with Griffith University studying the results.
Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrol officer in charge Mat Kelly said the squad was dealing with high-end offenders.
“We’re talking about the worst of the worst that are living within the community,” Senior Sergeant Kelly said.
“Some of these people are OMCGs and organised crime figures within the Gold Coast district.
“It provides us with an additional arsenal to be able to attend people’s addresses and test them to ensure they’re abiding by their other parole conditions.
“It allows us to check that these people aren’t consorting with people they shouldn’t be consorting with and they’re also abiding by their curfew.”
He said the testing was putting parolees on notice to follow bail conditions or face the consequences.
“Being tested at the front door of your home for drugs is an Australian first and it certainly is raising the eyebrows at some of the parolees’ homes we are attending.
“It’s certainly a lot more overt but it’s about improving community safety.”
A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman said 41 parolees had been identified for targeting in the drug testing.