LNP pledges $10k bonuses for police who return to service

Former Queensland Police officers would be paid up to $10,000 each to put on the blue uniform again under a plan the LNP says could bring as many as 300 back into the service.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli at a media conference. Picture: Liam Kidston

Former Queensland police officers would be paid up to $10,000 each to put on the blue uniform again under the LNP’s plan to grow and retain the force.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, alongside Opposition police spokesman Dan Purdie, revealed the $3.2m incentive plan could lure 300 former Queensland Police officers who have quit in the last five years back to the frontline.

The LNP’s three-prong plan to get officers back and retain those already on the beat includes $13.5m for a new mental health framework for officers — including those who are retiring from the force.

The last plank involves strengthening youth justice laws, with the LNP blaming weak legislation as a factor behind police leaving the force in frustration.

“We have the highest attrition rate in the country, where 600 police a year have been leaving … police have had a gutful, they’re burnt out,” Mr Purdie said.

“This is sending a message to all police, if you stay and continue to serve the community of Queensland, we have your back, not only now, but when you leave.”

The state government has already promised to boost Queensland Police by 900 personnel — including 500 sworn officers — by mid-2027 despite current struggles to meet an existing 2020 election promise to recruit 2025 staff by 2025.

Mr Purdie, a former detective, confirmed the LNP had been in discussion with the Queensland Police Union about how many officers need to be recruited over the next few years but declined to pre-empt further negotiations.

“We actually think we can probably train and deliver more police than where those negotiations are with the union at the moment, but today we are talking about stemming the tide of police,” he said.

Police Minister Mark Ryan last week said by the end of 2025 the total number of recruits and police officers would “exceed the government target”.

The LNP’s latest election commitment comes after it was revealed Queensland police officers had been paid a staggering $72m in overtime in just seven months, nearly $340,000 a day, as the force grappled with burnout and soaring crime rates.

Government documents have revealed taxpayers forked out $72m for overtime between February 1 and August 31 this year, a $11m jump compared to the same period in 2023 and a $23m increase from 2022.

It comes less than a month after the police union revealed burnt-out cops were chucking “sickies” amid a backlog of youth crime and domestic and family violence call-outs.

QPU president Shane Prior said walking the beat had “never been as dangerous” as he called for more assistance from other government departments and first responders.