The vision of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is to ensure ‘Queensland is a safe and secure place to live, visit and do business’. During the past year much has been accomplished by the people who are the QPS to further enhance and protect our safety and security.

Fighting crime

I am pleased to report the overall crime rate has continued to drop during the past year, which is now the tenth year in a row crime rates have fallen in Queensland.

Technology to play key role

In August 2009 the QPS commenced telecommunications interception (TI) operations. This provides the capability to monitor a range of telecommunication mediums being used for criminal activity such as landlines, mobile phones and the Internet. Since its inception, TI has supported serious, major and organised crime investigations and police operations throughout the state involving offences including murder, high level drug trafficking, armed robbery, major fraud and other serious offences.

Addressing alcohol-fuelled violence

Alcohol-fuelled violence is one of the most pressing social challenges of our time. The QPS has initiated both targeted liquor related enforcement and early intervention strategies aimed at minimising harm and the potential for a situation to escalate due to alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.

Over the past summer the QPS conducted Operation Merit, a statewide initiative focusing on activities relevant to each region’s unique policing environment.

The successful ten-week operation resulted in 1 759 people being arrested and charged with 2 165 related offences.

Pursuits

In March this year the Coroner released a report on police pursuits. The report contains 13 recommendations which the QPS is carefully considering prior to responding. The QPS only permits pursuits where absolutely necessary. The risk to police officers and community members associated with pursuits must be balanced against an expectation police will apprehend offenders and uphold the law. Finding this balance can at times be a complex challenge.

Enhanced infrastructure

Importantly, in a state which is growing in population and complexity, an impressive quantity of new infrastructure was progressed during the year. Two key infrastructure projects include Policelink and the new Police Academy at Wacol.

In August this year Policelink will be launched, delivering a 24-hour, seven day a week, non-urgent police contact facility for community and QPS members. By reducing the call burden at existing police establishments, Policelink will enable improved response management to urgent calls for service.

When the new Academy is completed in a few years time it will deliver a full range of education and training programs for trainee and operational police.

The underlying vision is to bring together all QPS education and training in a world class, purpose built facility designed to keep the Service at the forefront of policing excellence. The new Academy will ensure the Service maintains and strengthens its approach to the development of well educated, highly trained and operationally ready police officers well into the future.

Reducing the loss of life on our roads

While every death on our roads is a tragedy, the rate for 2009-10 was 6.04 deaths per 100 000 population— the lowest ever recorded in this state. A range of road safety initiatives such as the introduction of covert speed cameras and additional specialist traffic police have contributed to this outcome. We remain committed to working in partnership with other government agencies and the people of Queensland to further reduce road accident fatalities and injuries.

Our standards

We recognise that the support and confidence of the community we serve is essential if we are to  ffectively fulfil our core role of providing for their safety and security.

We are committed to being the best police service we can be for the Queensland community.

We are also committed to the highest of professional and ethical standards and behaviour for all our members.

We will do all we can to achieve these ideals.

The quality of any police department is determined by the character of those who work in it. The vast majority of members of the Queensland Police Service are committed, capable and dedicated people who do an often difficult and at times dangerous job, 24 hours a day every day. The Queensland community can have confidence in them in that regard.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank all members of the Queensland Police Service for their contribution to ensuring the safety and security of the Queensland community.

Bob Atkinson APM
Commissioner