Find more local newsīrowse for your location and find more local ABC News and information Townsville received a police chopper in January, which is flown daily to track offenders and stolen cars, conduct surveillance operations and search for missing people. The aerial asset will include sophisticated thermal imaging cameras and night vision capabilities. With crime shaping up as a key issue in this year's state election, the Queensland government has also committed to purchasing a police helicopter for Cairns. The commitment includes a boost of 500 sworn officers and 400 unsworn personnel over the next three years.ĭespite a competitive labour market, the state government said an 'aggressive recruiting campaign' had led to a 200 per cent jump in the number of recruits in the pipeline over the last year. The ambitious recruitment target comes ahead of the looming state election and two days after Steve Gollschewski was appointed as police commissioner. The dedicated police helicopter will be used to combat crime, as the state government announces plans to bolster the force with 900 new officers. Official guidelines state government jets should only be used when commercial flights are unavailable or inadequate. 'They couldn't fly in the same plane together?' 'The same five locations with his police minister,' he said.

The trio went from Brisbane to Cairns and Townsville again on Wednesday to spruik a new police helicopter and funding for more police officers.ĭeputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said the premier was 'wasting valuable resources with two luxury jets flying to the same location'. Mr Miles spoke in Cairns again on Tuesday, before he travelled to Townsville then Hervey Bay to make announcements about tackling youth crime with Mr Ryan and Mr Gollschewski. On Monday, Mr Miles travelled from Brisbane to Cairns to hold a press conference alongside Mr Gollschewski after he was announced as the new police commissioner.

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