Residents Against Crimes

Friday February 19, 2010 I received a reply from the Police Minister Neil Roberts outling matters that we discussed on November 27, 2009 while he was in Cairns.

I thank the Minister for the opportunity to discuss matters related to Police and crime in Cairns but for the life of me I cannot understand why it is always that the reply appears to be negative.

To say that the numbers of police in cairns is adequate we all know including Police Officers who state that there is not enough police in this city and until we can get Ministers to realise that we need more Police this saga will continue on for ever.

Quote from the Ministers letter:

As discussed at our meeting, and your subsequent meetings with local police, current police numbers in the Cairns area are considered adequate to meet demand.  As explained, rosters are formulated to ensure sufficient police are available to provide a timely and effective response to calls for service, including at times of high demand.  I trust the information about the partnerships existing between local police, local council and community organisations to address crime and youth‑related issues was also of assistance.

I will be writing to the Premier again this week about the negativity we seem to be receiving.

We as a community must continue this fight until those in far away Brisbane fully understand the situation.

To read the full reply:

This

OPTION: Unmanned aircraft may replace police chases

or

One of five N.S.W. Police chopper

I cannot believe what I was reading in the Courier Mail that the Police Commissioner was considering using unmanned aircraft for high speed pursuits in Queensland more so in the Greater Brisbane area.

These unmanned aircrafts are great for Army and Border surveillance and do a great job but for car chases I don't think so.

This follows the ongoing coronial review of the police pursuit policy and that the Commisioner revealed his plan to use unmanned surveillance aircraft to identify rogue vehicles.

 It seems to happen everytime in Queensland that when police are pursuing a vehicle and the offenders vehicle comes into a collision with another motor vehicle the police cop the blame.

I SAY WAKE UP POLITICIANS AND STOP PUSSY FOOTING AROUND AND UPGRADE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND PUT THESE OFFENDERS AWAY FOR NOT LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND CANCEL THEIR LICENCE FOR 20 YEARS TO LIFE -THEY DON'T DESERVE TO HAVE A LICENCE.

Furthermore  should an innocent person be killed by the offenders then they should be charged with murder not manlaughter.

But as we know the politicianss that we elected to run the state and look after the affairs of this state don't have the balls to stand up and say "you offend and you will do time" and as the old saying goes "she'll be right mate".

The police are here to protect us and we need to protect them and more importantly work with them to help keep the crime rate down.

As far as the chopper goes we need police in the sky not only to be involved in high speed chases but to use the helicopter to fight crime on drugs, robberies and searches.

A statement was made during a TV interview that "helicopters were over rated" we'll you tell that to other police forces all over the world and more importantly tell that to the men and women of our armed forces.

The argument put forward by a minority is that choppers are expensive to operate but what price do you put on a human being.

Lets be realistic police all over the world use choppers and swear by them and without them a lot of crimes what not have been solved.

Lets follow the best advice and that is helicopters are the eyes in the sky for the police.

Check this video and make your own mind up: click here

Also click here

Police helicopters form a very important part of Police work no matter what state or country we live in.

For some unknown reason Queensland is the only state that does not have a Police Helicopter - WHY YOU MAY ASK - we are the so called  "smart state" aren't we.

Brisbane City should have at least 2 choppers that could be used by the police for pursuits, drugs searches and normal patrols.

The previous Police Minister along with The Police Commissioner seem to have a complete disliking to the helicopters and yet they used by all Police over the world - check this out :

Both of these videos show how the English Police utilise this great service.

Following is a copy of a news item from the Courier Mail:

I have outlined the previous Police Ministers remarks along with the Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson.

What do you think?

The Courier Mail’s Cameron Atfield wrote on 5 Dec ’06 about the lack of a police helicopter in the large urban area of Brisbane.

Quote:

Monday afternoon's fatal police chase at Redcliffe has renewed Opposition calls for the State Government to fund a police pursuit helicopter.

Opposition police spokesman Rob Messenger said a specially equipped police helicopter would help police avoid high-speed chases.

"Common sense would tell you that you've got a far better chance of catching criminals safely using a helicopter," he said.

"Queensland police need a specially equipped helicopter to better pursue criminals and avoid high-speed car chases which put members of the public at risk."

But Police Minister Judy Spence said a police helicopter would not have helped avoid Monday's tragedy.

"I think it's very callous of the Opposition to bring this helicopter issue into the equation today less than 24 hours after a young girl's lost her life, when they would know that if the police had a helicopter it would be very unlikely it would have been in the air," she said.

"If it had been in the air over the CBD or at Logan City or the Gold Coast it would not have been at Redcliffe at that point in time."

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said getting aircraft in the Torres Strait and western Queensland was a more urgent priority for police than providing a helicopter in southeast Queensland.

"I do think the concept of a helicopter is probably a little bit over-rated," he said.

"We're about stopping and reducing pursuits, not continuing them on under new circumstances."

Click here to see how choppers have been so successful overseas:

Queensland has always been opposed to buying a police helicopter(s); they do have an airplane air wing to cart the bad guys around to/from court, etc.

What do readers think about the effectiveness of airborne surveillance helicopter in car chases. Is the Minister right?

The Courier Mail’s Cameron Atfield wrote on 5 Dec ’06 about the lack of a police helicopter in the large urban area of Brisbane.

Quote:

Monday afternoon's fatal police chase at Redcliffe has renewed Opposition calls for the State Government to fund a police pursuit helicopter.

Opposition police spokesman Rob Messenger said a specially equipped police helicopter would help police avoid high-speed chases.

"Common sense would tell you that you've got a far better chance of catching criminals safely using a helicopter," he said.

"Queensland police need a specially equipped helicopter to better pursue criminals and avoid high-speed car chases which put members of the public at risk."

But Police Minister Judy Spence said a police helicopter would not have helped avoid Monday's tragedy.

"I think it's very callous of the Opposition to bring this helicopter issue into the equation today less than 24 hours after a young girl's lost her life, when they would know that if the police had a helicopter it would be very unlikely it would have been in the air," she said.

"If it had been in the air over the CBD or at Logan City or the Gold Coast it would not have been at Redcliffe at that point in time."

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said getting aircraft in the Torres Strait and western Queensland was a more urgent priority for police than providing a helicopter in southeast Queensland.

"I do think the concept of a helicopter is probably a little bit over-rated," he said.

"We're about stopping and reducing pursuits, not continuing them on under new circumstances."


Queensland has always been opposed to buying a police helicopter(s); they do have an airplane air wing to cart the bad guys around to/from court, etc.

What do readers think about the effectiveness of airborne surveillance helicopter in car chases. Is the Minister right?

Have your vote:

I cannot believe that the previous Police Minister after travelling overseas and would seen the choppers in use can come back here and make these outrageous statements when it is known that helicopters can do so much for the police.

The Police Commissioner said not long during a TV interview that we have fixed wing aircraft and they probably have or else lease them but Mr Atkinson the following must be considered:

1. fixed winged aircrafts go forward

2. fixed winged aircrafts do not have a steep or sharp turning base.

3. fixed winged aircrafts cannot go sideways.

4. fixed winged aircrafts cannot go backwards.

5. fixed winged aircrafts cannot hover.

BUT..........

Helicopters can:

1. go forward.

2.  turn sharply.

3.  go sideways Right or Left.

4.  go backwards.

5.  can hover.

They also carry infra red/heat seeking  cameras, spotlights, a police observer and a police tracker who operates the camera and GPS.

Here again is another news clipping:

Police chopper wanted on Coast
Matthew Killoran
December 31st, 2008
goldcoast.com.au

THERE are renewed calls for a police helicopter to be based on the Gold Coast after a wanted man slipped through a police dragnet yesterday.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter eventually joined the hunt but it was too late to make a difference.

The man, in his 20s, had been driving north on Olsen Avenue in a red Toyota Seca when police ran a check on the number plates and discovered they were false.

The driver refused to pull over and a pursuit ensued.

It was called off shortly afterwards when police lost sight of the car after it turned east into Smith Street.

A search began for the motorist after the car was found abandoned in Green Glen Road, Ashmore.

Police began patrolling with at least two marked and two unmarked cars, the dog squad, a police motorcycle and later the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The dog squad followed the scent into the Ashmore Police-Citizens Youth Clubs in Dominion Road but there it was lost.

The motorist was described as Caucasian, dressed in all black, with a moustache and was of scruffy appearance.

Queensland is the only state in Australia without its own police helicopter.

Yesterday was not the first time Gold Coast police have had to rely on a rescue helicopter in a search.

The RACQ CareFlight helicopter was used in the hunt for a man who escaped from police custody in November.

A Queensland Police Union spokesman said it was ludicrous that Queensland police did not have their own helicopter.

"The general public knows that, police know that, we just need the Government to realise that," he said.

"Places such as the Gold Coast would benefit from the police helicopter."

He said a helicopter could help police keep track of car chases and suspects on foot.

"Police helicopters are useful for that kind of thing, they're also used for many other types of police work," he said.

"It is easy to keep surveillance on criminals who might be driving around the Gold Coast.

"It would take three or four cars to co-ordinate a tail so we don't tip off a suspect, but with a helicopter they have no idea the helicopter is hovering above."

He said helicopters were also useful for spotting drug crops.

In early December, a police helicopter crew was used in a drug raid in northern New South Wales led to three arrests and more than 3000 cannabis plants being seized.

Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has campaigned for a police helicopter for six years. He said relying on the rescue helicopters was not good enough.

"There's a difference between police work and rescue work," said Cr Clarke.

"There have been numerous occasions when the Westpac helicopter wasn't available. It was on some other duty."

Police Minister Judy Spence has repeatedly rejected calls for police helicopters, saying they are too expensive.

Let's take a look at other states helicopters:

N.S.W. Police Air Wing

Between 1946 and 1950, the original Police Air Wing was used to transport detectives and investigators to scenes of crime in rural parts of the state.

The Police Air Wing was reformed in 1978 and today provides state-wide assistance in all areas of the NSW Police Force including search and rescue, drug detection and high visibility policing.

The present Air Wing consists of 4 helicopters: a BK117, a Bell Jetranger, a twin engine Eurocopter Squirrel and a single-engined Eurocopter Squirrel. Each aircraft is fitted with a variety of electronic equipment, radios, search lights, cameras and rescue equipment.

Providing support to police during many operations and to the community in often difficult and dangerous emergency situations, the Police Air Wing has and integral role in the policing strategies of the New South Wales Police Force.

The New South Wales Police Air Wing provides an aerial support service over a range of diverse operational tasks, at the Region and Patrol level, including search and rescue.

Working closely with other emergency organizations and rescue agencies, the Police Air Wing also provides the community with a wide ranging service providing assistance during natural disasters such as bushfires and floods and providing emergency assistance when people are lost or injured in remote places inaccessible by other means.

The New South Wales Police Air Wing was first formed in 1978, operating with three pilots and five observers. The helicopters used at that time were hired from other departments and corporations such as the Roads 8: Traffic Authority and the Electricity Commission. By 1979, however, the Air Wing was in possession of its own three Bell 206 Jet ranger Helicopters with the names Polair l, 2 and 3.

The Air Wings initial role was to assist police in the crackdown on armed hold-ups in banks, but the helicopters and their highly trained pilots also proved invaluable in search and rescue operations; fire control; searches for offenders; pollution control; flood assistance; and searches for missing aircraft, marine vessels and stolen vehicles. The helicopters are very adaptable machines with the ability to carry both a patient on a stretcher and a paramedic or doctor if necessary. Our helicopters have provided the NSW Police Force with immense operational support, clocking up over 12,000 hours of flying time on two machines and over 14,000 hours on the third.

Some of the wider range of responsibilities of the Police Air Wing include:

·         undertaking specific directed aerial patrols aerial surveillance and photography to assist police uncover criminal activity such as drug plantations; locate prison escapees and stolen vehicles; and record crime scenes

·         assisting in search and rescue

·         providing transportation in support of major police operations and in support of other emergency groups in disaster situations

·         providing police reports on fires, floods and traffic

The Air Wing helicopters operate with some advanced technology including: 30 million candle power Nite-sun searchlights; stabilised day/night binoculars; forward looking infrared; advanced photographic equipment; external winch and cargo hook; Digital Voice Protection secure communications; Radio Direction Finding System; and GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Navigation System. The Air Wing employs 30 police staff and is under the command of a Chief Inspector.

 Above is this is the new Victorian Helicopter.

 Below is the W.A. Police Helicopter

Springborg pledges two helicopters for police service

Posted Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:21pm AEDT

The Liberal National Party (LNP) has promised two police helicopters for south-east Queensland if it wins this month's election.

LNP Leader Lawrence Springborg says it would cost $2.9 million to buy the helicopters and run them for four years.

He says the Queensland Police Commissioner has never expressed much enthusiasm in the past because the Government did not give him a choice.

"It is absolutely wrong in the 21st Century for the police service in Queensland not to have a police helicopter," he said.

"A police helicopter is something that a modern police force around the world must actually have with regards to surveillance, with regards to community protection and also making sure that they're able to apprehend those people that are breaking the law."

This is 2009 yet certain ministers and the Police Commissioner still can't understand the reasons behind the helicopters benefit.

I agree that fixed winged aircrafts are used for transporting prisoners but the use of helicpters are an entirely different situation.

Premier Bligh I ask you to seriously consider the above, go overseas and see for yourself the benefits these machines can bring to the Police Force.

or

go to the blog page:                              

Yet again we have another Police bashing this time at Mission Beach.

The Cairns based Officer was carrying out relief duties when he was alledgely attacked after speaking to a male person after leaving the bar with a glass in his hand.

Read the full story:

 Again we ask"when is the State Government of Queensland" going to get tough and bring in legislation that would be some sort of deterent for these so called human beings.

If you assulted or bashed a Police Officer in America you could cop anything fron 15 to 50 years but good old Queensland the Police Officers have become punching bags for people who don't care.

Who do we call when we are in danger or under threat? the Police of course but then some people have to try and be heroes by punching and kicking an Officer who was just carrying out his duties.

We know we need more Police but the Judicial System isn't really any better this offender will proably cop a fine, good behaviour bond and walk from court laughing.

A sentence for this type of crime should be on a first offence nothing less that 5 years with no time off.

Come on Premier show these people that you and the Government mean business and bring in tougher penalties and tell the civil libertarians to get a life - you and your Government run this state not them.

Check out other bashings:

Police Officer assulted

Female Police Officer assulted

Officers attacked on the job

Have your say on the blog or forum