Qld’s crime-fighting Flying Squad triples in size to tackle hot spots

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Of the 58 officers in the flying squad, 41 will be new full-time-equivalent positions.

Crisafulli acknowledged the staffing challenges Queensland police faced.

“There is no doubt that there has been a real crisis when it comes to the overall number of police in this state, because whilst the pipeline has been sound, the level of attrition has been far too high,” he said.

“One of the tasks that I’ve given [Police Minister] Dan [Purdie] is to make sure he deals with that issue of attrition.

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“Currently, attrition is running at nearly 6 per cent, and that’s just far too high. Our vision is to make sure we can pull that down.”

Purdie said the expanded squad would recruit officers prepared to go into “hot spots” across the state at short notice.

“[It won’t be] detectives being taken off a complex fraud or murder investigation being sent out on a 10-day deployment, which is what has been happening with Whiskey Legion up until now,” he said.

Some could also be sourced from interstate, with Queensland Police advertising for recruits among Victoria’s police ranks.

“I think people have seen the message interstate that there’s a new government in Queensland,” Purdie said.

“We do support the police. We are tough on crime. We’re going to give the police the tough laws they need, and the resources they need.”

Comment has been sought from the Labor opposition.

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