Alarming rise in assaults on Queensland police
Assaults on Queensland police are on the rise with authorities saying attacks on officers will “never be tolerated”.
Recent figures show assaults on police are up 31 per cent over the past two years, with all districts seeing an increase.
In northern regions, police assaults were up 37 per cent, while in Brisbane alone they jumped by 10 per cent.
While incidents are shocking, violent and becoming all too common, Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor says police shouldn’t be attacked for doing their jobs.
“It’s never going to be tolerated in any society,” Dep. Comm. Taylor says.
“It says a lot about an individual that carries on that way.”
Senior Police say the rise in assaults can be blamed – in part – on a cultural shift and an increase in mental health issues and drug use.
Dep. Comm. Taylor says police attend a lot of incidents where emotions are high and, in some situations, the ones who call the police are the ones who attack them.
“There seems to be a quick response to using violence, where years ago people would talk points of difference out,” Dep. Comm. Taylor says.
Some criminal lawyers agree the attacks are “disgraceful” but say tougher laws aren’t the answer.
“We are seeing police enforce a no-tolerance policy, but what is important is the support of the general public for the police,” Criminal Lawyer Bill Potts told 9News.
“There have been a lot of changes in our environment but individuals need to realise police are there to provide safety to the community.”
