Politician commits to full-time Queensland Police helicopter, subject to election

Politician commits to full-time Queensland Police helicopter, subject to election

27-Feb-2012 Source: Queensland Labor

A new Labor Government will invest $7.5 million over the next three years to provide a permanent police helicopter for the Gold Coast.

Premier Anna Bligh said the trial of a police helicopter currently underway on the coast had proven the use of the aircraft was beneficial to fighting crime in the area.
“In July last year Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke agreed the council would provide $500,000 for the trial of the helicopter.

“The Queensland Police Service provided an officer to accompany each flight as well as communications equipment to keep the helicopter connected to the police radio network,” said the Premier.

“In the first three months of the trial, the helicopter was tasked more than 520 times on a wide range of activities including patrols of known ‘hot spots’, surveillance, traffic management, searches and drug crop identification.”

The Premier said that feedback from police was that the aircraft had proven itself to be a useful additional tool in their ongoing efforts to maintain community safety on the Gold Coast.

“That’s why a new Labor Government will provide funding for the Queensland Police Service for a permanent police helicopter to the based on the Gold Coast,” she said.

“Our $7.5 million commitment will enable the service to lease a helicopter and operate it for up to15 hours per week on average.”

Ms Bligh said the aircraft will be based on the Gold Coast and the company will be responsible for the cost of a pilot; supplying dedicated aircraft maintenance; aircraft accommodation and a replacement helicopter when the main aircraft is unavailable.

“My government is committed to giving the Queensland Police Service the resources it needs to keep the community safe,” she said.

“During this term of government the number of sworn police officers in Queensland has grown by more than 600, which has taken the total number to more than 10,650.

“Thanks to the strong investment in policing by successive Labor governments, the overall rate of crime in Queensland decreased by 30 per cent between 2000/01 and 2010/11.

“We are committed to continuing the work of decreasing crime rates to ensure our state remains safe and secure.”

Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said: “This is a great boost for crime fighting on the Coast and locals will be comforted when they see the police helicopter on patrol.”

Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft said: “Clocking up more than 500 jobs in just three months has well and truly shown the worth of a police presence in the sky.”

Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said: “This sends a message to all criminals that you can run but it’s that much harder to hide.”

Member for Albert Margaret Keech said: “From gathering intelligence to patrolling crime hot spots to hunting down criminals on the run – the helicopter is a major asset for Gold Coast police.”

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