A retired Cairns police officer and judge speak out on repeat youth offenders and a broken system

A retired Cairns police officer has warned of the rise in serious repeat youth offenders and the system’s handling of them is having catastrophic consequences for the region.

A retired Cairns police officer and judge have warned the rise in serious repeat youth offenders, and how the system handles them, is having catastrophic consequences for the region. Picture: Brendan Radke

A retired Cairns police officer has warned of the rise in serious repeat youth offenders and the system’s handling of them is having catastrophic consequences for the region.

Recent incidents in Far North Queensland including an alleged gang gape have reignited questions about the justice system’s effectiveness in managing repeat juvenile crime.

A retired Cairns police officer has warned the rise in serious repeat youth offenders and the system’s handling of them is having catastrophic consequences for the Far North. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

An ex-police officer who asked to remain anonymous, highlighted systemic issues in managing, rehabilitating, and holding young offenders accountable.

“There are serious repeat offenders in the Far North,” he said.

He said there was often a mismatch between the public’s expectations for punishment and the reality of the sentences given, especially for minors, with the public often misunderstanding the “adult crime, adult time” principle, assuming minors will face adult punishments.

“Magistrates rely on past cases, not just the crime severity,” he said.

“First-time offenders, whether adults or youths, might only receive a caution.”

Ex-Cop exposes the cycle of youth crime. Picture: iStock.

The retired officer said young offenders often receive lighter sentences due to a magistrate’s reliance on past cases.

For serious juvenile offences, restorative justice conferences are often used instead of court, but these can take months to schedule, according to the ex-cop.

“It can take six to nine months, and by then, kids mature in age, complicating the process,” he said.

However, he said many offenders have been victims of domestic violence, which complicates their rehabilitation and often serves as a catalyst for their actions.

“These repeat offenders that commit the really bad crimes, have been a victim of domestic violence,” he said.

While these organisations are important for support in rehabilitation he said parents, schools, and various organisations become involved, but co-ordination is lacking, he says.

“Parents struggle to manage advice from multiple groups who turn up on their doorstep,” the retired cop said.

“It’s not uncommon to have seven or eight different people from several different groups all saying, ‘This is what we need to do to help little Johnny get back on track’.

Police chase a kid who allegedly fled from a stolen car what crashed into a semi-trailer on Lyons St, Portsmith earlier this year. Picture: Queensland Police

“It’s a very frustrating system.”

The former officer also highlighted challenges in dealing with car thieves.

He said pursuing stolen vehicles was risky for police, who can face a job loss if the chase ends in a crash.

“You can’t pursue without supervisor approval,” he said.

The former officer also highlighted challenges in dealing with car thieves. Picture: iStock.

He said police continue to face significant limitations due to safety concerns and policy changes over the years.

“When I joined the force, pursuing stolen vehicles was possible, but now it’s heavily restricted for safety reasons,” he said.

The ex-cop explained the current policies mandate supervisor approval from the communications room for any pursuit, and specific criminal offences must be committed for a chase to be authorised.

“Most of the time, if the vehicle is stolen and the occupants can’t be identified, officers aren’t allowed to pursue,” he said.

This cautious approach stems from the potential of a chase ending in a crash, which could lead to lengthy investigations and jeopardise officers’ careers.

“If a chase goes wrong, you could face an investigation lasting six to twelve months, risking your job,” he added.

Retired Far North judge, Justice Stanley Jones AO said there was a need for well-trained prison officers who understand the backgrounds of young offenders.

“We need officers who grasp what’s happening in a child’s mind,” he said.

Mr Jones stressed addressing literacy challenges to help children become responsible citizens would be a good place to start.

“Their difficulty in reading and writing hinders communication with officers,” he said.

“Some kids are locked up for days with no communication, what do you think that does to a young person's mind?”

Retired judge, Justice Stanley Jones AO, stressed addressing literacy challenges to help children become responsible citizens would be a good place to start. Picture: Supplied.

He also advocated for government to make decisions based on research, not just punishment.

“Educating lawmakers is crucial,” he said.

“Increasing penalties for young children contradicts 30 years of research.”

However, Justice Jones agreed authorities can be hamstrung when it comes to chasing stolen cars, calling it too dangerous.

“Chasing makes them speed and take risks,” he said.

The retired judge also agreed with the former police officer about the lack of co-ordination between services to support families after their children get caught up in the youth justice system.  

“They mean well but aren’t always effective,” he said.

He believed there could be improvements if there were better co-ordination with the groups to deliver consistent and effective support.

The Far North was officially named the state’s youth crime capital in November 2024, according to Queensland Police Service data released last year.

Cairns has since recorded a decrease in crime between January and February 2025, with assaults down 11.6 per cent, drug offences down 7.4 per cent, and thefts down 9.8 per cent.

Originally published as A retired Cairns police officer and judge speak out on repeat youth offenders and a broken system