LNP promises extra cops for Gold Coast if elected

DON’T think we have enough police on the street? In the latest election promise, one of the two major parties say they will employ hundreds of new officers if elected.

THE LNP will today announce it will employ an additional 535 frontline police if elected government, putting it in front of Labor in securing the law and order vote.

Before announcing the poll date, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledged an extra 400 police across Queensland, of which the Gold Coast will get 44.

The LNP does not provide specific numbers of police for regions.

But Mr Nicholls explained that “extra frontline police would be deployed to towns and cities from Cairns to the Gold Coast in line with population growth”.

COAST’S TOP COP TALKS POLICE NUMBERS

LNP leader Tim Nicholls at Southport — he will announce the party’s law and order policy today. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Bulletin has asked the major parties to commit an extra 50 police on Coast beats as part of its Going for Gold campaign.

Mr Nicholls told the Bulletin: “Crime is out of control in many parts of the state under Annastacia Palaszczuk and her soft-on-crime attitude that favours offenders over victims and families.

COP SILENCE ON STATION NUMBERS

“These additional frontline officers form part of the LNP’s commitment to provide police with the resources they need to keep Queenslanders safe.

“Queenslanders are less safe under Annastacia Palaszczuk because she has absolutely no plan to deal with skyrocketing crime rates, except to give criminals free passes.”

Opposition police spokesman Tim Mander said the Queensland Police Service had been requesting more resources to deal with skyrocketing crime rates and combat the ever-increasing threat of criminal gangs.

“Queenslanders want a government that will keep their streets and communities safe, not one that favours criminals over victims and families,” Mr Mander said.

LNP's Opposition police spokesman Tim Mander — the party was proud on its record of supporting police. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The LNP is proud of its record supporting our police — in government we employed an additional 900 officers across the state as part of our law and order commitment to make our communities safer.

“These extra resources, together with stronger laws, helped dramatically reduce crime rates across the state.”

The Opposition targeted the Government in late August about its performance on law and order, claiming the Coast’s drug-fuelled crime wave was due to fewer cops on the beat than 12 months ago.

Policing has become an electoral football. Picture Glenn Hampson

Coomera LNP MP Michael Crandon released statistics that showed the Coast district had 846 police officers compared to 886 a year ago. The Premier rejected the data.

On the Coast, the rates of assaults had increased by 28 per cent and robberies were up by 20 per cent.

The Bulletin’s Grim Blue Line series highlighted the growing crime rates and a cutback in police budgets.

The latest police annual report reveals an 85 per cent rise in violent crime and the region recording the highest increase in grievous assault at 19 per cent.

Labor has responded by saying it had increased police officers by more than 300, bringing the total number of permanent police positions to more than 11,880, and gave these officers more body worn cameras, QLiTE tablets and better pay and conditions.