- On top of government's record boost to policing resources, an additional 47 police personnel positions for Ipswich Police District
- Extra police positions to be deployed to Rosewood, Goodna and Lowood Police Stations in 2024-25
- 2 additional Mobile Police Beats and 10 additional police vehicles will be delivered
The Miles government is making a further significant investment in the capabilities of the Ipswich Police District.
Following a request from the Queensland Police Service for additional police resources for the Ipswich Police District, the government is providing the Queensland Police Service with a funding boost of $37.6 million to deliver the following additional resources:
- an extra 40 police officers and 7 additional frontline support roles for the Ipswich Police District over two years from 2024-25;
- 2 additional Mobile Police Beats;
- 10 additional police vehicles; and
- funding to support additional high visibility proactive activities of the current Mobile Police Beats.
The Queensland Police Service has advised that the extra police officers will be deployed as follows:
- 3 officers and an additional police vehicle for the Rosewood Police Station from 2024-25;
- 3 officers and an additional police vehicle for the Lowood Police Station in 2024-25;
- 2 officers and an additional police vehicle for the Goodna Police Station in 2024-25;
- 2 officers and an additional police vehicles for Scenes of Crime in 2024-25; and
- 30 officers, 7 frontline support personnel, 6 additional police vehicles, 2 Mobile Police Beats for the new Ripley Police Station in 2025-26 (with the resources to be hosted at the Yamanto Police Station until construction on the new Ripley Police Station is completed).
The additional funding is timely, with a new $25 million police station due to open at Ripley in 2025.
Now is the right time to provide further support to the Queensland Police Service by committing more police resources for the Ipswich Police District on top of our already record police investment in the region.
Additional funding in 2023-24 will enable police to conduct additional high visibility activities with the two current Ipswich Mobile Police Beats.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
"Every Queenslander should feel safe in their homes and community.
"There will always be more police under my government.
"This investment will see dozens more police officers, mobile police beats, and extra resources.
"This is to keep residents safe, and to catch offenders. If there's more police want us to do, we'll listen."
Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:
"Community safety is always paramount and this is yet another example of the Miles Government supporting the Queensland Police Service's efforts to keep people safe.
"This additional funding and extra resourcing is based on the advice of police and further enhances the operational capabilities of the Ipswich Police District.
"The government will always back police with the personnel and resources they need to support the community.
"This investment in the Ipswich Police District builds on the record investments in policing that the government has already made, including funding an extra 2,000 police personnel."
Quotes attributable to Bundamba MP, Lance McCallum:
"I welcome these new police and police resources for Ipswich.
"Investing in frontline police to boost grassroots community safety works.
"We've listened to both the community and our hard-working police, and are backing them with the resources, people and tools they need to support our community."
Quotes attributable to Jordan MP Charis Mullen:
"Queensland's police officers deserve a government that backs in their work, with this additional investment in frontline resources we're proving that we have their backs.
"40 additional police officers and seven new vehicles will hit the ground running and help to keep dangerous criminals off our streets.
"We've been very clear we support our frontline police officers and will provide whatever support they need."
Quotes attributable to Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard:
"The Miles Government is backing the hard work of our frontline police officers, this additional investment will make our streets safer.
"Extra police officers and vehicles for our community will bolster the efforts of police and allow for even more extreme high visibility patrols throughout Ipswich.
"We'll have mor police officers on the ground even before the new $25 million police Station in Ripley opens."
Quotes attributable to Ipswich District Officer Superintendent Kylie Rigg:
"We are committed to keeping the people of Ipswich safe and our officers across the District work tirelessly to protect their communities.
"These additional officers and resources will bolster these efforts, and not only help police do their jobs safely, but support them to keep the community safe.
"Only last year, Ipswich was the first to welcome a new fit-for-purpose marked District Duty Officer (DDO) police vehicle, being rolled out across Queensland, equipped with the latest technology and 'rumbler' vibration sirens.
"We look forward to the extra resources to support the safety of both police and Ipswich community.
"They will help to keep not only Queensland communities safe, but also enhance the safety of our frontline staff."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Police Union Southern Region Representative Col Muller:
"These extra police officers will be a welcome addition to the frontline.
"Included in the extra police numbers are more scenes of crime officers. Their forensic work is an enormous benefit, leading to more criminals being identified and arrested.
"The delivery of more police vehicles and mobile police beats to some of our fastest growing communities will be a significant operational bonus.
"Strong advocacy from QPU President Ian Leavers who was also the local QPU Representative for many years was integral in achieving this outcome on top of the normal police budget. I thank Ian, the Premier and Police Minister for delivering these police resources to this important region."
