The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has expanded its aerial capabilities with a new helicopter to service the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay communities from 25 September.
Surf Lifesaving Queensland has been appointed as the successful contractor ahead of the procurement of a permanent POLAIR resource for the North Coast Region.
The aerial equipment will enhance community safety, assisting police in tracking stolen vehicles, arresting offenders, and locating missing persons.
The aircraft has a high-tech camera system with infrared, moving map and vehicle tracking to support law enforcement efforts on the ground, helping police effectively and efficiently respond to incidents and keep the community safe.
On board, a pilot, camera operator and police observer work together to assist crews on the ground.
This has come as the Wide Bay has seen a 34 per cent reduction in youth crime, and the Sunshine Coast has seen a 9.5 per cent youth crime reduction in the first six months of this year, in comparison to the same period last year.
“We’re continuing to provide frontline police officers with advanced technology and equipment to enable a high quality of service to the community,” Police Minister Mark Ryan said.
“I know this new helicopter will make a big difference in keeping communities safe across the Sunshine Coast and the Wide Bay Burnett districts.”
Nicklin MP Rob Skelton said the new aerial capability for the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay region was a great initiative of the Community Safety Plan.
“I’ve advocated strongly for Polair on the Sunshine Coast because I know it makes challenging police operations safer for the community and safer for the police on the ground,” he said.
“Having an aerial capability to support officers on the ground will be a game-changer in the way we track offenders, search for missing people and gain situational awareness,” North Coast Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Douglas McDonald said.
“I know this has been a much used and valued capability for my colleagues in Townsville and south-east Queensland so I’m looking forward to utilising it here.”
“We are looking forward to assisting in the aerial support services for the Queensland Police Service and are confident in our pilot’s ability to work with the police to support the local Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Burnett communities,” Surf Life Saving Queensland Aviation CEO Ken Clark said.
“We have vast experience in flying aircraft for the police and are always looking to develop with continual improvement in the support of aerial support services.”
