FRoM CoMMissioneR ATKinson - Queensland Police Service ...

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Solving the puzzles Just as general duties police officers investigate traffic crashes and other incidents, Water Police investigate any marine incident occurring along Queensland’s extensive coastline and system of rivers and lakes. Besides acquiring all the skills of a land-based police officer, Water Police need a detailed knowledge of the maritime laws and regulations used in Queensland. Water Police Stations are dotted along the coast at Gold Coast, Wynnum, Brisbane, Kawana Waters, Hervey Bay, Yeppoon, Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns and Thursday Island. The Brisbane Water Police is headquartered at Lytton, and incorporates the QPS Dive Unit, Marine Training Unit, Search and Rescue Unit and the Marine Technical Unit. These units are well equipped to provide a marine capability or to support local resources anywhere in Queensland. The following real life examples illustrate how these groups work together, as well as in conjunction with the Queensland Coast Guard and the Volunteer Marine Rescue, to respond to water-based incidents. 1v2 On an unusually warm August evening, a family was enjoying the conclusion to a fantastic afternoon boating around Moreton Bay in their 38ft Mustang Sports cruiser. As enjoyable as the day had been, the eight people in the vessel were looking forward to berthing at Rivergate, only a short run down the Brisbane River from the entrance. Then, in the darkness, the unthinkable happened. In an instant the calmness of the journey was torn apart as the vessel collided with the rock wall surrounding the reclaimed area of Fisherman’s Island. Four fishermen moored nearby saw the vessel strike the wall at 90 degrees, forcing it into the air. When the cruiser came to a standstill it was upside down, teetering on the edge of the rock wall. Injured passengers and debris were strewn over the rock wall and in the water. The fishermen sent a Mayday to the Brisbane Coast Guard, who in turn alerted Brisbane Water Police (BWP). Stationed only three nautical miles from the crash site, BWP responded with a fast vessel and two crew and arrived about 10 minutes later. On the way, the Water Police requested assistance from the Brisbane Volunteer Marine Rescue Unit at Manly. The location made it difficult for land-based units to get close, so the Water Police conveyed the injured passengers further along the rock wall and closer to waiting ambulances. Officers from Wynnum Police Station assisted ambulance officers in retrieving the passengers, and two were taken to hospital for treatment. Fortunately the two youngest passengers, a two-year-old and a three-year-old, were wearing personal floatation devices, which contributed to them receiving no injuries. Members of the Marine Technical Unit inspected the hull and mechanical aspects of the vessel and found there were no mechanical or hull problems that contributed to this incident. 16 PoliceBulletin347
of the deep BWP crew members investigating the crash identified that the master of the cruiser was relying on the cruiser’s auto pilot and GPS to steer them into the mouth of the Brisbane River and not physically keeping a look out. 1v2 It was determined that he must still be in the river, so a call went out to the Dive Unit. The divers travelled from Brisbane to the nearest town on the road between Mount Isa and Townsville, and then drove a further 80km to the scene. Due to the surging floodwaters, the divers were forced to wait a couple of days for the river to slow down enough to safely search. A short search located the grader upside down near the bridge, but the current was still too fast for safety. With help from locals in vehicles beside the river, the divers managed to tow the grader into a small eddy, allowing them to Members of the Marine Technical Unit are not sworn police officers, but are experts in all aspects of marine technology. Besides being responsible for the repair of all Water Police vessels and engines, they contribute greatly to the development of new vessels and provide expert mechanical and structural evidence for investigations. They are called on to provide written reports on the condition of any vessels involved in marine incidents, often travelling the state to do so. One big difference between marine and land investigations is that much evidence can be lost due to it sinking into the depths or drifting away on the tides. Members of the QPS Dive Unit become invaluable in these instances as they can retrieve any evidence from the river bed or ocean floor. The Flinders River was in flood when a grader driver from a remote property in western Queensland was attempting to clear the approaches to one of the few bridges that were still above water. While clearing the edge of the bridge his grader plunged into the fast flowing river with him trapped inside. The alarm was raised later that night and an extensive search was made of the river and surrounds by locals and police. search the cabin, which was still about three metres below the surface. Inside they found the missing driver. After removing the seat and battery boxes, the divers were able to free him and carry him up the steep bank into the care of an undertaker. The deceased man had lived in the area for many years and was well known to locals. The recovery of his body enabled friends and family to properly mourn his passing. As glamorous as it may sound, police diving is far from the clear reef diving seen in movies. It is mostly in black-out conditions where all searching is done by feel—and some things don’t feel very nice. Aside from their normal diving functions, members of the Dive Unit are involved in investigating all diving deaths, and are responsible for the testing of diving equipment and any recommendations or changes that may result from this. The specialised skills of Dive Squad members are invaluable when investigating crimes that occur in the marine environment. Divers endure almost black-out conditions and search by feel to retrieve evidence crucial to solving a case. PoliceBulletin347 17
Page 2 and 3: FROM COMMissioneR ATKinson An outst
Page 4 and 5: C O N T E N T S Message from Commis
Page 6 and 7: FROM NEIL ROBERTS MP MinisTER FOR P
Page 8 and 9: A lifeline for emergency situations
Page 10 and 11: that have disappeared from view. Se
Page 12 and 13: colleagues, can be invaluable to in
Page 16 and 17: 1v2 On a hot and humid summer after
Page 18 and 19: On track to a safer future On track
Page 20 and 21: Ready for take off whenever disaste
Page 22 and 23: “Officers are also able to discus
Page 24 and 25: Police prosecutors— taking the in
Page 26 and 27: y to minimise risk “The pilot for
Page 28 and 29: ikes, pedestrians walking along the
Page 30 and 31: When the Despite their tough image,
Page 32: Breaking the cycle of violence The

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