Gladstone chosen to test new police SMS policy
POLICE will be able to officially contact people via text during the trial.
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GLADSTONE has been chosen as one of two places across Queensland to test a new policy allowing police to text people involved in a case.
Currently, police are only able to officially make contact with victims, witnesses and suspects by phone or in person.
As many people no longer answer calls marked "private" since the advent of caller identification, police say they are having trouble contacting the people they need to speak to.
Senior Sergeant Andrew Lake said the trial would make it easier for victims, witnesses, suspects and police to work together and resolve investigations faster than before, as well as improve the ability of victims to be advised of the status of their matter.
Gladstone residents who receive official texts during the trial may later be contacted by the Police Innovation Unit to determine whether or not they approve of the policy.
The success or otherwise of the trial will determine whether the policy is implemented across the rest of the state.
South Brisbane is the other location chosen for the trial.
To reduce the risk of scams, messages will include information to identify them as having come from the police, including the crime report number.
SMS messages will not include attachments or links.
If anyone is uncertain of the authenticity of the message, contact Policelink on 131 444.
Scams can also be reported through the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN).
Originally published as Gladstone chosen to test new police SMS policy
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