Qld: Beattie 'underhanded' in promises, says police union

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2004
Qld: Beattie 'underhanded' in promises, says police union

The Queensland Police Union is accusing Premier PETER BEATTIE of being underhanded
and says today's policy announcement on police staffing is disappointing.

The union's general president GARY WILKINSON says police staffing levels within the
force are not keeping pace with Queensland's population.

On the campaign trail in Townsville ahead of Saturday's state poll, Mr BEATTIE has
announced a plan which will use civilian administrative staff to free around 500 police
from desk jobs by 2005.

But Mr WILKINSON says he's not convinced the proposal will work.

He says the government is acting underhandedly by effectively scrapping a bipartisan
commitment to increase police numbers by 300 per year.

But Mr BEATTIE has dismissed the criticisms, saying there's a long history of tense
relationships between governments, of any political persuasion, and the police union.

AAP RTV rad/sc/swe/wjf

KEYWORD: POLLQLD (BRISBANE)

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