Police numbers shock on the Gold Coast as Oppositions seeks full count on officers

POLICE numbers have dropped on the Gold Coast in the past two years as the Opposition lobbies for more officers in the booming northern corridor.

POLICE numbers are going backwards, with the Gold Coast almost 100 cops down despite promises of recruits to boost the ranks made before last year’s state election.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon, who has been lobbying for more officers in the city’s fast growing north, has obtained shock new figures from the Government on staff allocations for the southeast district.

The Gold Coast district police allocation in June 2016 was 886, which dropped to 846 in June last year. New figures show a further decrease to 841 as of April this year.

The State Opposition yesterday was scathing of the Government. Before last November’s election, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced 44 extra police would be assigned to the Glitter Strip.

Police on patrol in Surfers Paradise. Picture Glenn Hampson

Opposition police spokesman Trevor Watts told the Bulletin yesterday: “This is a broken election commitment from Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.

“Not only did Labor cut 40 police officers last year, but things have gone backwards even further since the election. Labor are soft on crime and this is yet another example.”

Mr Crandon said he was concerned about community safety and the morale of officers in his electorate.

“Community safety is at risk on the northern Gold Coast because of these cuts to local police resources,” he said.

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“Coomera and the northern Gold Coast are massive growth areas and our burnt-out police are struggling to keep pace.

“Two days before she called the 2017 election, Annastacia Palaszczuk made a commitment to add 44 additional police to Gold Coast police ranks. Instead she’s cut a further five officers from the roster — that’s appalling.”

Coomera MP Michael Crandon, Opposition police spokesman Trevor Watts MP and Theodore MP Mark Boothman outside Coomera police station. Photo: Supplied.

In a response to Mr Crandon, Police Minister Mark Ryan said he had been advised the full-time police allocation for the Coast district, at April 30, was 841.

“In addition, personnel from other district, regional and centralised support functions, including Road Policing, Scenes of Crime, Intelligence, Water Police and Dog Squad, are available to assist in response to local issues as required,” he wrote.

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“This Government has committed to an additional 535 frontline police and operational specialists by 2021-22, including 115 counter terrorism specialists for the implementation of the new Security and Counter Terrorism Command.

“This growth includes the previously announced increase of 50 police officers and personnel, approved for the 2017-18 financial year.”

Mr Ryan told the Bulletin the Government was delivering 400 extra police over four years, including an extra 44 officers to the Gold Coast.

“When and where those officers are allocated is a matter solely for the Police Commissioner,” he said.

“The conferring of that responsibility to the Commissioner was a direct consequence of the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

“The Opposition either doesn’t understand this basic tenet of our system of government or wilfully ignores it.”