Remember When

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2007

A squad of Queensland police were stationed at the Gold Coast Airport as security was beefed up in special counter-terrorism moves that had previously not involved state police.

Apart from handling terrorism threats, the officers were trained to deal with drug movements and bomb threats, and were planned to become be `first response’ officers.

Twenty Queensland police officers were being trained for work at Gold Coast Airport from November 2007, with 10 being added in 2008.

The expanded anti-terrorism measures came as the Gold Coast prepared to take on a significant increase in direct flights from overseas – the result of the newly-extended runway at Coolangatta.

Police Minister Judy Spence confirmed to that 113 Queensland Police Service officers would be systematically placed in the state’s ’ major j airi ports at Coolangatta, Brisbane and Cairns as extra officers were sworn in from the police academies.

She said the need for state police at airports was identified by the Federal Government during airport security reviews following the September 11 2001 attacks.

``Community policing will not be compromised with the commencement of airport police,’’ said Ms Spence.

``The 12-month rollout is due to be completed by mid-2008 and will further improve security in these airports.’’

The officers selected were seconded to the Australian Federal Police for two-year blocks and granted unpaid leave from the Queensland Police Service.

The selection process began with an expression of interest forwarded to commissioned and general duties officers who want to work at the airports.

Ms Spence said officers selected for airport squads would wear AFP uniforms but display their QPS rank insignia on their epaulets.

Their duties would include investigating complex and routine incidents at the airport terminal and its environs, such as terrorism, drugs, threats to public safety, first response capability to critical incidents, bomb threats and offering policing support to passengers and airline staff.

``The Queensland Government is pleased to work in partnership with federal authorities to ensure the safety and security of airports throughout our state,’’ said Ms Spence.

The partnership between state and federal police was part of the National Counter-terrorism Plan and was devised by state and federal leaders during the Council of Australian Governments process.

A Queensland police inspector was to be the highest state ranking officer at the airport