310 people in eight days for QPS Whiskey Legion exercise

During a major eight-day Central Qld operation, police charged 310 people with 652 alleged offences and conducted 7,641 roadside breath tests. VIDEO

A massive Queensland Police Service exercise in Central Queensland has resulted in police charging 310 people with 652 offences.

Operation Whiskey Legion commenced in the Capricornia District last Wednesday, taking targeted action in the district to drive down crime.
Local police teamed up with specialist police from Crime and Intelligence Command, Dog Squad, Highway Patrol, and Crime Prevention and were deployed to Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Emerald.

Since October 16, 281 adults have been charged with 565 offences, and 29 young people have been charged with 87 offences.

Police executed 49 search warrants, 131 hotspot patrols, and 21 bail/curfew compliance checks.

The Rockhampton Dog Squad tracks a man following reports of an alleged stolen vehicle.

A 26-year-old Kawana man was charged with allegedly committing several offences following reports of a stolen white Mercedes-Benz on October 18.

Police will allege that about 10.38pm a vehicle was stolen from Gracemere.

Police located the vehicle at a Yaamba Street address and found the man a short time later at Shillam Street.

He was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing dangerous drugs, and possessing utensils.

He is due to reappear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on December 11.

Search warrant executed at a Biloela address where seven firearms and ammunition were located.

A 44-year-old Biloela man was charged following an investigative search warrant in Biloela on October 22.

Police will allege seven firearms were recovered from the Biloela property as well as a quantity of ammunition.

He has been charged with three counts of possessing shortened firearms, two counts of unlawful possession of weapons, and one count each of receiving tainted property, and authority required to possess explosives.

The man is due to appear before Biloela Magistrates Court on December 4.

Officers conduct wanding and charge a man for possession of a knife in a public space at a Gladstone shopping centre.

During the eight-day deployment 87 wandings were conducted in shopping centres and Safe Night Precinct areas in coordinated operations.

A 31-year-old Kin Kora man was charged after allegedly being found in possession of a small knife at West Gladstone.

Police will allege the man was in possession of a knife in a public space without a reasonable or lawful excuse on October 17 at 4.15pm.

Part of the operation focused on strengthening road safety, with Highway Patrol conducting 7,641 roadside breath tests and 369 roadside drug tests, and issuing 461 traffic infringement notices.

Capricornia police placed an emphasis on connecting with the community throughout the operation, engaging with 834 community and business members.

Capricornia District Officer Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said the surge in policing has seen great results across the district and will continue post-deployment.

“We’ve seen great efforts this week from our local officers teaming up with specialist units, and they will continue beyond Operation Whiskey Legion,” said Superintendent Burgess.

“We will continue to target those causing the most harm to our community, continue building relationships with locals, and continue to support our most vulnerable people.”

Police also engaged with 346 victims and referred 68 people onto support services.

Part of this exercise included a day dedicated to engaging with victim family members of recent homicides and unlocated missing persons.

Cheryl O’Sullivan, whose daughter Karen Gilliland was tragically killed in a domestic-related homicide in Rockhampton in June 2020 is one of many victim family members regularly engaged with across the district.

She said that more than four years following her daughter’s murder, she continues to receive support and communication from the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Shane Pearce, and others.

“They’d come to the courts with us, they’d come to our house… they came to the funeral… I cannot fault them,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

“They’re there if we ever need them.”

Detective Sergeant Pearce from Rockhampton’s Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) said closing the loop with families doesn’t stop at the courts.

“Many people assume that once an investigation has reached the courts, police are no longer involved,” he said.

“When we say ‘close the loop’, we mean supporting victim families and keeping them informed of any updates, and that doesn’t have a time limit.”

In August 2022, Susan Duffy was murdered in Rockhampton in a domestic-related homicide.

The Duffy family also expressed their thanks to police for the support they’ve been provided that has continued to now.

“The focus from investigators with guidance and unwavering support throughout the toughest part of our lives, the darkest days had hope,” Mr Duffy said.

“Their reassurance and understanding helped us navigate the uncertainty and pain we’re facing.”

Operation Whiskey Legion will continue to be deployed across Queensland communities.

Police have charged 3,999 people with committing 9,806 alleged offences, engaged with 44,840 people in the community, and supported 4,706 victims throughout the state.

Originally published as 310 people in eight days for QPS Whiskey Legion exercise