New flying squad the largest rapid response unit in Queensland Police history
- The Crisafulli Government has unveiled the new Queensland Police 'State Flying Squad' to target the worst juvenile and adult offenders.
- Specialist team comprised of 58 officers, making it Queensland's largest rapid response unit in history.
- Announcement will triple the size of former flying squads and integrate Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion.
The Crisafulli Government has today launched the largest rapid response unit in Queensland Police history – an integrated 'State Flying Squad' to swoop on crime hotspots across the state. The squad of 58 specialist officers will be deployed to high-risk areas to strategically target Queensland's worst juvenile and adult offenders. The Crisafulli Government has committed $32.4 million in funding over five years to the squad, which will absorb officers who are currently attached to operations including Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion. The State Flying Squad will bolster the police frontline across Queensland and have the firepower to ensure teenage criminals are held to account through the Making Queensland Safer Laws. Premier David Crisafulli said bolstering Queensland's crime offensive with the largest ever police flying squad was just one of the ways the Government was delivering on its commitment to restore safety where you live.
"This squad will strike at the heart of crime and help restore community safety across the state," Premier Crisafulli said.
"Backed by our tough Making Queensland Safer Laws, the State Flying Squad represents a new era of policing and will give communities the backup needed, when they need it.
"We are throwing the kitchen sink at turning the tide on a decade of runaway crime under Labor.
"Queenslanders deserve safety and police deserve support; we are delivering on both to wrestle back control and end the Youth Crime Crisis."
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said it was an important step towards solving Labor's crime crisis and supporting police.
"For ten years, the previous Labor Government clipped the wings of our frontline officers by not giving them the resources they needed to do their jobs," Minister Purdie said.
"Our new State Flying Squad will be able to deploy at a moment's notice into any corner of Queensland, providing on-the-ground support to police on the frontline who need it most.
"Youth offenders and high-risk criminals will be a major focus for the new Squad, which will be able to utilise the Making Queensland Safer Laws and restore safety where you live."
Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said the Police Service welcomed the allocation of funding which would increase State Flying Squad by 41 full time staff.
"In doing so, it will reaffirm our commitment to community safety and addressing youth crime by allowing the State Flying Squad to continue the highly successful work performed by Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion," Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said.
"The investment strengthens our targeted operations capability, ensuring we have resources needed to respond quickly and effectively to crime hotspots across Queensland."
