In response to escalating demands and a concerning backlog in domestic violence cases, the Queensland Police Department is deploying new officers to the Logan region. Acting Queensland Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy announced that an initial group of 20 officers will be assigned to Logan before June, with an additional 80 positions expected to follow after that date, primarily targeting the same district.
The Logan area is facing significant staffing shortages, currently having 27 vacancies that will increase the total number of positions to be filled to 47. Chelepy mentioned that while some of the new recruits will be fresh constables, experienced officers from other parts of Queensland will also be invited to consider Logan as a potential posting, creating a balanced approach to bolstering the local force.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain within the police force regarding the adequacy of the response to domestic violence incidents. Shane Prior, representing the Queensland Police Union, emphasised that merely adding more officers is insufficient for long-term solutions. He called for comprehensive reforms to address the systemic issues in handling domestic violence, insisting that streamlining police processes is essential for effectively managing these cases.
This initiative follows revelations that some domestic violence calls in Logan went unattended for nearly a month due to acute staff shortages, prompting a response from Police Minister Dan Purdie, who labelled the situation as “unacceptable.” He underscored the critical nature of timely responses to these distress calls, stressing that the safety of community members, including vulnerable loved ones, is at stake.
In the interim, to alleviate the strain on local officers, support has been provided by personnel from South Brisbane and the Gold Coast as they work alongside Logan’s police force. This collaborative effort has reportedly reduced the currently unaddressed domestic violence cases to 78.
As the new officers transition into the Logan district, the Queensland Police Department is under pressure to not only address staffing needs but also to implement meaningful changes that enhance the effectiveness of domestic violence responses for the community.