Media Release
QPS acknowledges report into policing in Indigenous communities
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today acknowledged the release of the Crime and Misconduct Commission’s Report into Policing in Indigenous Communities.
“We will carefully consider the recommendations, and work with the CMC where appropriate to ensure we are providing the best possible policing service to these communities, Commissioner Atkinson said.
Commissioner Atkinson highlighted the many improvements in police services to these communities in the past decade, and since the review was commissioned by the state government three years ago.
“There have been many changes for the better in recent years, and I am hopeful a careful review of the CMC report will show we are already meeting or even exceeding these recommendations,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“The QPS currently polices Indigenous communities through a combination of State police and Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) and a limited number of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Police (QATSIP),” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“The QPS is providing 29 additional State police positions in Indigenous communities. Of these, 24 are allocated with the remaining five awaiting new infrastructure to accommodate them. This infrastructure is expected to be completed in 2010.
“We have enhanced our 24-hour response capability for Cherbourg by allocating three of the 29 additional police positions to the neighbouring Murgon Police Station.
“On top of the 29 new positions, a further five police positions have been allocated to Cooktown, working from a newly constructed police station in Wujal Wujal and Hopevale; and Weipa, servicing Napranum and Mapoon.
“The Queensland Government is providing $3M and the Federal Government is providing $12M to build housing for the extra police. This is on top of around $5M committed to fund the police aircraft for the Torres Strait and approximately $6.4M invested in the now completed upgrade of CCTV equipment for all police facilities in Deed of Grant in Trust communities.
“In addition, as part of the 2009 election, the Government committed to providing $10 million for a new Lockhart River Police Station and $10 Million for a new Badu Island Police Station in Torres Strait, Commissioner Atkinson said.
“We welcome the release of the report, and look forward to considering the recommendations, to see if we can further improve the service provided to Indigenous communities.
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