FRoM CoMMissioneR ATKinson - Queensland Police Service ...

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FROM NEIL ROBERTS MP MinisTER FOR POLICE, CORRECTIVE SERVICES AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Message from the Minister The Premier and I recently announced the reappointment of Commissioner Atkinson as Queensland’s most senior police officer for a further three years. During his more than 40 years with the Queensland Police Service, Commissioner Atkinson has served in a variety of locations across the state in a range of roles. In the past nine years, the Commissioner has overseen a 26 percent drop in the overall rate of crime in Queensland— an outstanding achievement. Importantly, he has led the police service with honour and integrity and his leadership has inspired public confidence in the QPS. The Queensland Police Service has come a long way since Commissioner Atkinson was first appointed in November 2000. The number of sworn officers has increased from 7,500 to more than 10,400 today. In excess of 80 new police stations and Police Beats have commenced operation or been refurbished or renovated. The QPS has also received national and international recognition for its work, particularly Taskforce Argos which investigates child abuse and exploitation, and the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group. The government has absolute confidence in your Commissioner’s abilities to lead the Queensland Police into the future and tackle any challenges ahead. Deputy Commissioner Kathy Rynders’ announcement last month of her intention to retire has resonated throughout the Service. Deputy Commissioner Rynders has served the Queensland community with distinction and integrity for almost 35 years. The Deputy Commissioner started her career in the QPS in 1975, spending her early career in general duties and the traffic branch before moving through prosecutions, and spending several years in South Eastern Region in the roles of Regional Duty Officer, District Inspector and District Officer. In 1999, she was promoted to Chief Superintendent in charge of education and training, before becoming Assistant Commissioner, Crime and Misconduct Commission, and later Metropolitan South Region before being appointed Deputy Commissioner (Regional Operations) in March 2008. During my time as Police Minister, I have trusted and respected the advice provided by Deputy Commissioner Rynders on the operations of the QPS. On behalf of all Queenslanders I thank Deputy Commissioner Rynders for her dedication and professional service, and I wish her well for her retirement. PoliceBulletin347 7
Supporting the front line Assistant Commissioner Brett Pointing together with Chief Superintendent Katarina Carroll, Operations Support Command, ensure operational police officers are provided with the support they need to carry out their daily duties. Operations Support Command (OSC) could be likened to the engine room of the Queensland Police Service. The specialist units within the Command include the Dog Squad, Public Safety Response Team, Explosive Ordnance Response Team, Negotiators, Air Wing, Scenes of Crime, Forensics, Traffic and Crime Prevention to name but a few. Assistant Commissioner of OSC, Brett Pointing, believes supporting police in their many and varied duties is the central function of the Command. “Operational police officers, whether it be general duties officers, plain clothes officers, or specialist areas are the heart and soul of the QPS,” Assistant Commissioner Pointing said. “Our Command never loses sight of the fact that we only exist to provide them with the support they need.” Modern policing is becoming increasingly complex and challenging. New technologies facilitate new types of crime. The Command is continually looking at ways to support the front line, and advance the professionalism of the Service by researching and adopting new techniques and technology. In mid 2010, Policelink will come online and provide an additional 24 hour pointof-contact for people in Queensland wishing to contact police to report nonurgent incidents, in particular minor property crime. This new service will encourage community members to report a range of crimes and incidents using a nationally adopted number. It is anticipated Policelink will reduce the call burden, increase capacity of operational police and facilitate the delivery of improved client services to the community and QPS members. Assistant Commissioner Pointing joined the QPS in 1978 as a police cadet when he was 15 years old. He has policing in his veins and understands the needs of operational police officers. “My father Laurie retired as an Assistant Commissioner in 1993 and my two brothers, John and Glen, are also currently in the QPS,” Assistant Commissioner Pointing said. “I was sworn in as a police officer in 1981 and started as a general duties officer walking the beat at City Station. In 1982, I was seconded to the Mounted Unit for six months for the Commonwealth Games. That was a fascinating experience. “I have also worked in rural communities such as Goondiwindi, Roma and Charleville. Working within the dynamics of a small community was enormously rewarding and an experience I will never forget.” In 2003, the then Chief Superintendent was based at the Oxley Police Academy and was responsible for writing the business case for the new police academy at Wacol. In 2008, he became the Assistant Commissioner for Metropolitan South Region, before being transferred to his current position as head of Operations Support Command. Assistant Commissioner Pointing said his career highlights so far included attending the FBI National Academy course in Qantico, Virginia, and undertaking a Leadership in Counter- Terrorism course at Harvard University, Boston. “Queensland has the combined tyrannies of distance and remoteness, and we are acutely aware that what works in Brisbane may not necessarily work in regional or remote Queensland,” Assistant Commissioner Pointing said. “Understanding those differing needs, and responding to them, is a key function of the Command.” By Michelle Fleming, Media and Public Affairs Branch 8 PoliceBulletin347
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