RBT Brisbane: Upper Mount Gravatt Police still testing

The top cop from one of Brisbane southside’s biggest stations says his officers are performing ‘hundreds’ of breath and saliva tests each week, contrary to popular belief.

The officer-in-charge of one of the biggest police stations on Brisbane’s southside said it is a “misconception” that police are not performing breath or saliva tests during COVID, as he reveals his station is performing more than 500 a week.

Queensland Police suspended static (multi-vehicle) roadside breath and drug tests on March 16, at the beginning Australia’s first lockdown, to reduce the risk of community transmission of the virus.

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However, Upper Mount Gravatt Police Station OIC Snr Sgt Andrew Dupere said just because static tests are suspended for the time being, that doesn’t mean no testing is occurring.

“There is a misconception that during the pandemic police have not been conducting breath and drug tests,” he said.

“This is incorrect. Police from UMG station are conducting more than 500 breath and drug tests on drivers each week in and around the area.”

He revealed the station nabbed four drivers in the past week:

• Last Tuesday, 3.30pm. A 72-year-old man allegedly returned a reading of 0.061 per cent BAC at the corner of Daw Rd and Leopardwood St, Runcorn.
• Thursday, 9.30am. A 21-year-old woman allegedly returned a positive saliva sample for drugs at Kessels Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt. Police are awaiting her lab results.
• Saturday, 8pm. A 40-year-old man allegedly returned a positive saliva sample for drugs at Mount Gravatt Capalaba Rd, Wishart. Police are awaiting his lab results.
• Sunday, 4pm. A 22-year-old man allegedly returned a positive saliva sample for drugs on the Pacific Motorway travelling southbound at Rochedale. Police are awaiting his lab results.

“Unfortunately, the road toll is increasing in Queensland despite people making less trips,” Snr Sgt Dupere said.

“Can we, as police who attend these terrible car crashes, please remind people to drive to the conditions, don’t drink/drug drive, and wear your seat belt.”

In an unrelated incident, officers from the Child Protection Investigation Unit are investigating an alleged mugging of a 13-year-old boy at Fruitgrove Station last Thursday about 7.20pm.

Police claim two male Logan teenagers, aged 16 and 17, accosted the young boy on the train before following him off, where they stole his mobile phone.

The 13-year-old was uninjured, while the two older teenagers have been arrested.

“Can I remind all patrons who travel on the public transport network to use the help phones on all platforms if you are being threatened or feel threatened,” Snr Sgt Dupere said.

“It alerts police and security to potential situations and greatly assists in the identification of offenders or stops the offending if the offenders are aware of attending police.”