I COULD USE 100 NEW COPS
BUT MY BUDGET WON’T ALLOW IT (SO HELP HIM OUT, BRISBANE)
A TOP Gold Coast cop says he could use 100 more officers “but we all have to live within our means”.
Gold Coast-based South Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd yesterday hit back at concerns about cop numbers and funding, but admitted he could do with more police for the city.
“We are sufficiently resourced, I guess, in keeping with the budget and allocated budget.”
“If you were to say to me ‘Could I do with more police?’ Absolutely. You want to give me 100 extra police, I will adequately put them to task.
“But we have got to pay for them, that’s the reality.”
His comments come after Opposition Shadow Police spokesman Tim Mander urged Labor to boost Coast numbers.
Mr Mander’s call came after police were not tasked to a Broadbeach domestic violence assault until 82 minutes after it was called in to triple-0 at a time of “peak demand”.
The Bulletin revealed yesterday the allocated budget for 2016-17 for 10 Coast police divisions was $1 million less than the spend of the previous year.
Meanwhile, the overall crime rate is up 28.5 per cent
Mr Codd said the $1m drop in the allocated budget was from an average of the first seven months spending being “extrapolated out” but the actual spend would be more.
“It was never going to be that. In fact, we have been topped up to the tune of almost $600,000 with additional funds, including $300,000 in the last month.”
He said a drop in Gold Coast officer numbers from 890 in 2010 to 866 in 2016 listed in Queensland Police re- view statistics was not correct.
Mr Codd said when Coomera was disestablished as a district in 2013 its officers did not all transfer into the Coast, while some specialist roles remained Coast-based but were no longer counted.
Mr Codd said the number of Coast “approved permanent police” had gone from 808 in 2013 to 841 now, a rise of 33.
He did not rule out a controversial proposal to cut 122 Surfers Paradise to 80 as police bosses look to boost crimefighting in booming Coomera.
Asked if it was still a possibility, he said “very much so”.
“We have been exploring a lot of options about more equitably distributing police around the Gold Coast.”
On overall Coast resourcing, he said he can always ask for more from state top brass.
“I do that regularly and have been provided with additional funding as is needed.
“We are planning for our future resource need ... that will include officers, vehicles, equipment,” Mr Codd said.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said this week if Queensland police top brass ask for more resources, he’d provide them.
Queensland’s Acting Commissioner Peter Martin yesterday stuck to his position “not to immediately seek from government increases in resources but to flexibly apply our existing people”.