New $14.4M watch-house opens at Caboolture
This new $14.4 million facility north of Brisbane is decked out with some of the most advanced technology in Australia, but there’s a good reason you won’t want to see it for real. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
Moreton
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A new $14.7 million watch house decked out with some of the most advanced technology in Australia has opened north of Brisbane.
It stands at the site of the former police station, which has been relocated further up the road, and next-door to the Caboolture Magistrates Court.
The watch house is more than double the size of the former Caboolture facility with room for 31 prisoners.
Movements of all prisoners, police and visitors will be captured on the state-of-the-art CCTV cameras, which are also equipped with facial recognition technology.
The high-risk cells are also fitted with man down technology – meaning an alarm will sound if the person inside were to stop moving.
New audio technology means offenders will be able to take calls in through the intercom system in the cell – limiting the contact police officers have to have with those under arrest.
It is also decked out with the latest video technology linking interview rooms with the court video link system.
The watch-house is also equipped with a medical room, suitable for surgery, so that offenders no longer have to be transported to Caboolture Hospital for treatment.
This has been done with the guidance of Queensland Health and a nurse and medical staff will be on hand when required.
Police prosecutors and a Domestic and Family Violence team will move into officers above the watch-house – putting them closer to the court.
The TAC hub is also located upstairs with officers monitoring all Moreton Bay Regional Council operated CCTV cameras around the clock.
The only part of the former Caboolture Police Station left standing was the all out the front of the building.
This has been beautifully painted with two murals – one of Moreton’s serving police dogs and another painted by two local Indigenous artists.
Police Minister and State ALP Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said the facility, which was the most technologically advanced in Australia, was much more than a watch house.
“It is a place of safety, excellence and partnerships,” Mr Ryan said.
While opening the new facility Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll announced that 22 new police officers would be stationed in the Moreton Police District – as part of the State Government’s commitment to enlist another 2000 new officers across the state.
The new Caboolture Police Station and District Headquarters opened further along King St, two years ago.
The facility is expected to be fully operational by June 20.
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