Twenty-nine frontline police officer positions and a new Mobile Police Beat are among the announcements made by Police Minister Mark Ryan and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll in Toowoomba today.
The 29 positions will be allocated to key frontline policing roles boosting the frontline response in the Darling Downs District, including dedicated investigative positions to focus on youth crime.
Four of these positions have already been allocated to Goondiwindi Station, which will now operate as a 24-hour station as a result.
Two positions have also been allocated to enhance the Toowoomba Domestic Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit.
A new Mobile Police Beat has been allocated to the Darling Downs District, with delivery expected by the end of the month.
Youth crime remains a strong focus in the district, with a range of targeted operations seeing more than 350 offenders charged since July 1, 2021, and community-based prevention initiatives bringing police and communities together to address problems.
Minister Ryan said the frontline staff, the new Mobile Police Beat, and the ongoing focus on youth crime would enhance community safety in the district.
“Twenty-nine police officers will have an immediate effect in boosting policing resources, and I am pleased to see that several of these staff are already in place in Goondiwindi and Toowoomba working to help keep their community safe,” Minister Ryan said.
“The new Mobile Police Beat will further enhance local policing resources, providing greater flexibility and allowing police to deploy directly to areas of community need.”
Commissioner Carroll said police in the Darling Downs District had been applying a range of strategies to address youth crime.
“The district established a 27-officer squad, comprising members of the Tactical Crime Squad and Toowoomba Property Crime Unit, dedicated to ensuring a timely and effective response,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“In nearly 12 months, members of the squad visited 1,739 addresses, conducted 1,448 bail checks and 1,422 street checks, and charged 295 offenders with a total of 693 charges.
“Importantly, officers have also been working closely with our partner agencies to ensure a whole-of-government approach to targeting serious repeat offenders, as well as collaborating with community groups to ensure at-risk youth do not progress down the path of crime.”
