Whistleblowers have revealed the Palaszczuk Labor Government has overseen an alarming cut to full-time frontline police numbers at a key police station in Brisbane’s north.
The LNP is repeating its call for the Palaszczuk Labor Government to come clean on falling police numbers.
Since the Palaszczuk Labor Government came to power in 2015, police at the Ferny Grove Police Station have been cut by more than eight per cent. That’s the equivalent of more than four full-time, frontline police officers.
According to police, the number of full-time, frontline officers at the Ferny Grove station under the Palaszczuk Labor Government has fallen from 52 to 48.
During the same period, crime has soared out of control with thefts in Ferny Grove nearly doubling and stolen cars jumping 33 per cent.
Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli reiterated his call for the State Government to urgently front up to Queenslanders with the truth about the number of full-time frontline police on the beat in Queensland.
“The equation is simple: fewer police on the beat and weaker crime laws have resulted in the youth crime epidemic we’re experiencing across our Queensland today,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Labor promised they would add 1450 extra police officers by 2025, but it’s clear that instead of more police we have fewer police officers on our streets while a youth crime wave sweeps our suburbs.
“Police who are so frustrated with the misinformation and misdirection of the State Government are now choosing to speak out on what they’re seeing here at Ferny Grove Police Station.
“The Police Minister must be honest with Queenslanders about how many full-time, frontline Police Queensland has today because to this point he has not been and our stretched hardworking police men and women have had enough.”
Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services Dale Last said it was time the Minister stopped trying to fudge the figures on frontline police.
“Over and over again, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has attempted to hide police numbers from scrutiny,” Mr Last said.
“If they’ve got nothing to hide, they’ll release the Public Sector Workforce Profile report, which is now more than six months late and nowhere to be seen.
“The last data revealed that we had 12 fewer officers than two years ago, but it appears these numbers have slumped even further.
“Why is the Palaszczuk Labor Government refusing to release the truth?
“Is the Minister hiding the numbers because they paint a grim picture in the middle of a youth crime epidemic?
“Queenslanders deserve the truth and they deserve to feel safe in their own community.”
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