MP says more police needed to match growth rate
Calls have been made for a beefed up police presence to match the Sunshine Coast’s rapid growth, with its union demanding an additional 100 officers.
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CALLS have been made for a beefed up police presence to match the rapid growth in population on the Sunshine Coast, with its union demanding an additional 100 officers.
Ninderry MP and new shadow police minister Dan Purdie said the region had been "neglected" with only a "handful" of new officers in the past five years.
Police Minister Mark Ryan argued there had been 26 new officers since 2015, with a total of 547 on the ground.
Mr Ryan did not answer questions about when the region would receive new officers, but instead said that the $2.6 billion police budget was supported and that the State Government was committed to deliver an extra 535 police personnel across Queensland.
Mr Purdie said the Coast's population forecast demanded more officers.
"There is no doubt the police numbers per capita are legitimately down and continue to slide," Mr Purdie said.
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He pointed to fast-growing areas like Caloundra and Beerwah as two of the more desperate suburbs for more officers.
"Caloundra south, looking at its population forecast, it is due to nearly double by 2026," Mr Purdie said.
"Caloundra as a whole will have almost 70,000 by then. But no growth for its police facility."
Mr Purdie highlighted QPS statistics that showed crime rates in Caloundra was spiralling.
"For Caloundra alone in the past five years assaults were up 25 per cent, stealing from a dwelling up 47 per cent, burglaries up 49 per cent and unlawful use of a motor vehicle up 143 per cent," he said.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said an additional 1650 officers were needed statewide, with 100 based on the Coast.
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"These extra police that have just been sworn in have been expedited owing to the coronavirus crisis and we hope that more will soon follow," Mr Leavers said.
"What we need is for politicians from all parties to make actual commitments for more additional police numbers.
"The answer is simple. We need more police and the police budget needs to increase 10 per cent each year on year."
Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said if he was offered more police he would "take it with both hands".
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Supt Hawkins said the region did not have a problem attracting seasoned officers due to its lifestyle and said there were other parts of the state that were more desperate for extra police and resources.
"The Coast is such a popular location to live, there isn't a problem attracting police here," Supt Hawkins said.
"But by taking first-year constables doesn't mean more police. It's filling vacancies."
Mr Ryan said the overall rate of total crime reported from July last year to March this year had dropped by 397 offences compared to the previous year.
"This is due in no small part to the efforts of local police and again, I commend them on their efforts," Mr Ryan said.
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