With Queensland Police statistics showing a steady increase of crime levels in the Mackay region since 2012, the State Government are aiming to combat the issue with the recent announcement of new Police Service recruits.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles came to the region last week to bring the exciting news that 900 positions over the next three years will be filled to fortify community safety in the Central Police Region.
This includes 57 new Police Officers for the Mackay, Whitsundays, and Capricornia regions.
On April 26, the State Government announced a significant increase in Queensland Police Service personnel, with an additional 900 extra positions announced over three years as a key component of its Community Safety Plan.
This investment will deliver 57 new police positions across Mackay, Whitsundays and Capricornia.
Premier Steven Miles said, “My government has a strong Community Safety Plan for Queensland.
“We’re giving our frontline the resources they need to keep our communities safe, and ensure Queenslanders feel safe.
“The team in Mackay has completed over 5,000 engagements with young people and their families – an incredible effort that is making a positive difference in the lives of Queenslanders.”
Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski welcomes the Government’s announcement on behalf of QPS and says the additional police personnel will boost the officer positions as well as the number of staff members supporting the frontline.
“Additional resources will assist us in our commitment in keeping the community safe and ensuring they feel safe,” he said.
This month, the Mackay Youth Co-Responder team marked three years of early intervention operations to help drive down youth offending and reoffending
Despite a globally tight labour market, Queensland is leading the nation when it comes to police recruitment.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said, “We’ve already seen programs like our Youth Co-Responder initiatives making a real difference in our community.
“This expansion will mean that they can do even more good work helping our young people before they go down the wrong path.”
The comprehensive incentive package, combined with an aggressive recruiting campaign has seen the recruit pipeline improve by 200 percent in the last year.
The Queensland Police Service also advises that the number of police officers, combined with recruits undergoing training, is now the highest it has ever been in Queensland’s history.
Nearly 700 recruits are currently undergoing training and over 2,000 applicants are in the recruit pipeline, which is a record for Queensland’s Police Academies.
Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski encourages those that are interested in becoming a police officer to join QPS now.
“A career in policing is a career like no other, and the incentives currently available to applicants means there’s no better time to join the Queensland Police.”
Concluding the announcement, Police and Community Safety Minister Mark Ryan extended a heartfelt thank you by stating “I want to thank our police officers right across Queensland for their incredible commitment to their local communities, because I know how much Queenslanders appreciate the efforts of police on their behalf.”
Premier Steven Miles speaking in Mackay last week.
Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski
Northern Beaches Sgt Mitch Benson
Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara
