Minister disputes LNP claims Far North police numbers have stayed static since 2015
Palaszczuk government ministers have resorted to schoolyard name calling in a stoush over how many new Queensland Police officers have been assigned to Far North District divisions.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Palaszczuk government ministers have resorted to schoolyard name calling in a stoush over exactly how many new Queensland Police officers have been assigned to Far North District police divisions.
Comments made on social media on Tuesday sledging David Crisafulli followed a press conference in Cairns on Monday where the Opposition Leader claimed Cairns police numbers have remained static since the 2015 election.
“Police feel like punching bags, they are leaving in droves,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Parliamentary colleague Mark Bailey took to Twitter on Tuesday to lay the boot in to the Queensland LNP leader.
“Laptop liar, LNP Leader got caught cold again telling pork pies in his media conference yesterday by (the) Police Minister,” he wrote.
Mr Ryan responded in the same thread to say the “approved strength” of the “Far North District/Region” in July 2015 was 816 and increased by 94 officers to 910 in February 2023.
“Let me be very clear about this – the LNP is lying,” Mr Ryan said in a statement.
“Boots on the ground have also increased by about 100 since 2015.
“The Palaszczuk Government remains on track to fund an additional 1450 police officers by 2025, and I have confidence the Queensland Police Service will be able to fill those positions as soon as possible.”
I'm speaking #LIVE from Cairns with Mayor Bob Manning. #qldpolhttps://t.co/ruIxM9cXc6
— David Crisafulli (@DavidCrisafulli) March 19, 2023
According to the LNP, Queensland Police insiders have leaked a breakdown detailing how many new cops have hit the beat at Far North police divisions since 2015, however the numbers have been strongly disputed by the government.
According to the data sourced by the LNP there were 173.16 full time equivalent positions within the Cairns policing division, which at January 31 last year dropped 1.09 per cent to 172.07 positions.
Innisfail, Thursday Island and Tully divisions all experienced reductions in police officers, according to the LNP.
Since Police Minister Mark Ryan accused Opposition Leader David Crisafulli of being a “big fat liar” on Monday the government has come back with their own figures.
According to a Queensland Police spokesman since 2015 police numbers in Cairns Division has been bolstered by 25 positions.
Twelve of these fifteen have been allocated to the following stations: Edmonton (two), Cairns (six) and Far North District CIB (four.)
Another forty growth positions have been allocated and will be advertised by June 30.
And a further 15 positions have also been allocated to the Far North District.
To muddy waters further Criminal Investigation Branch, water police, traffic cops and officers attached to the Child Protection Investigation Unit are defined as a regional resource and not included in a Cairns district officer headcount.
A police insider conceded poor morale driven by juvenile offenders stuck in a revolving justice door and complex domestic violence cases had lead to resignations, but overall Cairns uniformed officers on the beat had increased since 2015.
More Coverage
Originally published as Minister disputes LNP claims Far North police numbers have stayed static since 2015
Get used to my ‘big ideas’: Mayor
Mayor Amy Eden says those critical of her unexpected pitch to buy a stake in Cairns Airport need to get used to her “big ideas” while responding to early feedback.
Community devastated by loss of ‘happy-go-lucky’ town ‘celebrity’ after fatal croc attack
The tiny Queensland town of Aurukun is in mourning after a town “celebrity” known for his friendly nature was snatched from a river bank by a problem crocodile. Warning: Story contains photos of an Indigenous man who has died, published with permission.