Queensland’s new police commissioner Brett Pointing has revealed his personal experience as a victim of crime, while announcing a new statewide operation bolstering police resources.
“I had a very dangerous one, two years ago on the Gold Coast,” he said at the announcement on Wednesday, standing next to Police Minister Dan Purdie.
Four people broke into the commissioner’s home while his family, including elderly people, were inside.
“They stole two cars, and, thankfully they were disrupted, but it could have turned out very, very bad,” he said.
Pointing said the experience opened his eyes to how many people had been victims of crime in his neighbourhood.
“I learned firsthand how much trauma that causes to people, and the importance of actually having a laser focus on these types of offences,” he added.
Pointing took on the role of Queensland police commissioner on a 12-month interim basis this week, after his predecessor Steve Gollschewski retired to focus on his health.
The statewide crackdown is due to start on Friday, and gives police more resources to target offences including car thefts, break-and-enters, and robbery.
“We want less victims and less harm in our communities,” Pointing said. “We’ll do that by disrupting offenders who do the most harm.
“We’ll also do that by targeting high-harm offending in high crime locations.”
Local officers will be supported by specialist personnel such as the state flying squad, dog squad, and public safety response team.
“We really want this operation to be highly responsive to local communities and have the flexibility to strategically shift gears to target … high crime locations.”
When asked which areas would be targeted, Pointing noted crime rates in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and parts of the state’s south-east, but would not confirm the operation’s specific targets.
Purdie, a former police officer, said the operation would boost resources in parts of the state where officers are stretched thin.
“I am acutely aware of the work that our police do,” he said. “How fatigued they’ve essentially been over the last 10 years.”
“I was one of them that left in 2017 after having a gutful of trying to fight a youth crime crisis with hands tied behind our backs.
“That’s why while I’m in this position, every step we take will be about more police, will be about tougher laws, and it will be about restoring community safety.”
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