Australian Army reservists, Queensland Police Force to join for CBD training exercises

In a Queensland first, army reservists will be joining forces with police for a series of training exercises across Toowoomba.

FILE PHOTO: A soldier from A Company, 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment 3RAR firing at AuSteyr riffle at Holsworthy Army barracks.

For the first time in Queensland, Australian Army reservists will join forces with police to conduct a series of training exercises from Friday.

So if you see Australian Defence Force personnel with military fatigues and weapons in the CBD later this month – there’s no need to be alarmed.

Colonel Arran Hassell from 11th Brigade Headquarters said the purpose of the joint training scenarios was to improve the army’s “interoperability” with police.

“Please don’t be concerned ... if you see the military in town,” Colonel Hassell said.

“This is just a training activity … there are no issues to be concerned about.”

The exercises will run from Friday until May 16 at various locations in the Toowoomba CBD and outside of town.

They come off the back of new legislation which was introduced by the Federal Government allowing part time military reservists to support domestic operations.

That includes everything from bushfires to floods and natural disasters, all the way up to assisting with state agencies such as police forces.

Training scenarios playing out in Toowoomba from Friday will range from natural disasters through to overseas operations and working closely with police in a “heightened threat” scenario.

“Here in the city centre itself you may see a group of our people … with maybe one to two Queensland Police Service officers, patrolling through the city,” Colonel Hassell said.

He said activities in the city would centre around the Toowoomba City Library and Queens Park.

There will also be increased activity around the army’s O’Quinn Street base.

An open day has also been scheduled for the O’Quinn Street base on May 14, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

The event will be an opportunity to show the public the army’s capabilities and there will be a Bushmaster vehicle on show, as well as a Tiger helicopter, information stalls and recruiters.