New Assistant Commissioner, Brian Wilkins, talks about what he expects for the Gold Coast
THE Gold Coast’s new top cop Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins has just two things driving him in order to keep crime down and locals happy in the region. Here’s what he said.
Crime and Court
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crime and Court. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ASSISTANT Commissioner Brian Wilkins has been a key investigator in a raft of high-profile murder cases, but says his main focus as the Gold Coast’s new top cop will be community safety and looking after his officers.
Yesterday Assistant Commissioner Wilkins told the Bulletin he would be briefed soon about the Glitter Strip’s policing landscape by outgoing Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd, who is moving on to lead the State Crime Command.
Assistant Commissioner Wilkins, whose four decades of police experience include previously leading teams like the homicide and drug squads, said his goals for the Coast would begin with protecting and engaging with the community and ensuring police officers are properly supported.
“I’ve got a very, very strong focus on my police and community safety. That will be driving me,” Assistant Commissioner Wilkins said.
“(Brian Codd’s) been doing an exceptional job for a couple of years. I’m not going to be racing in and changing things up significantly. I only got the appointment (on Thursday).”
He said he would also focus on crime prevention.
In a statement yesterday, the Queensland Police Service said Assistant Commissioner Wilkins was highly regarded for “his engagement and development of collaborative partnerships with community and government”.
“He brings a commitment to improving community safety and effective policing strategies to this position,” the statement said.
Police sources said Assistant Commissioner Wilkins’ previous role with the drug squad would benefit the Gold Coast, which continues to confront an ice epidemic and publicity about easy access to drugs in the tourism heart of Surfers Paradise.
BRIAN WILKINS TAKES OVER AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
“He has a drug squad background. He is coming to this place because of his policing background in drugs. We have an ice epidemic here,” a police source told the Bulletin.
The Gold Coast police region has been through a rocky 12 months, including perjury and misconduct charges against senior officer Michelle Stenner, and 15 local officers being referred by the Crime and Corruption Commission to the Ethical Standards unit for investigation for alleged misconduct and bullying.
But Assistant Commissioner Wilkins said he would undertake “supportive leadership” to keep local police happy.
“I don’t know if there’s a problem with morale,” he said.
“It’s about looking after their physical and mental wellbeing through supportive leadership ... to deliver services to the community. You’ve got some stable leadership (down here), I will add to that stability. ”
Assistant Commissioner Wilkins is expected to be in his Gold Coast role by late June and said he was feeling “fantastic” about the challenge.
“For the last seven or eight months I’ve been Acting Assistant Commissioner in Brisbane, the largest police region,” he said.
“It’s been challenging but rewarding. I’m looking forward to the Gold Coast as appointed commissioner rather than acting.”
As a career detective, he had been across a wide range of issues in his 40 years as an officer, including counter-terrorism, organised crime, drugs, homicide and special operations.
Assistant Commissioner Wilkins was head of the homicide squad when police investigated the murder of mother-of-three Allison Baden-Clay, for which her husband, Gerard Baden-Clay, was convicted.
He was also involved in a number of cold case investigations, including the murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Toowoomba 20 years ago where a Gold Coast woman was charged with perjury, the disappearance of Margate mother Patricia Riggs 11 years ago, and the murder of Riverview woman Dulcie Birt.
Assistant Commissioner Wilkins was the 2015 recipient of the Australian Police Medal, which recognised his dedication to criminal investigations.
Assistant Commissioner Codd is overseas and was unable to be contacted for comment.
Vicious public assault ‘could not be stopped’
A man who "couldn't be stopped" when he grabbed his partner by the hair and dragged her 100m through a Gold Coast shopping centre car park has now faced court over two dozen charges.
‘I’m not going to promise you anything’
A mother facing a string of drug offences was perhaps too honest with a magistrate yesterday after she initially couldn’t guarantee being on her best behaviour.