Police chopper slated for Sunshine Coast

Queensland Police Service will embark on a procurement process to secure an appropriate aircraft and operator. Timing will be announced following its procurement.

The State Government has announced plans to provide police with funding to establish a Polair helicopter capability for the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay. 

Queensland Police Service will now embark on a procurement process to secure an appropriate aircraft and operator. Timing will be announced following its procurement.

The decision follows advice from Queensland Police and advocacy from Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay MPs.

Polair operational capabilities have proved extraordinarily successful in South-East Queensland and in Townsville.

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said a Polair helicopter capability would make a very real difference to police’s ground operations.

“It makes challenging police operations safer for the community and safer for the police on the ground,” he said.

“Over the past few months, I have been hearing from locals all across our region about their concerns regarding crime.

“Whilst reassuringly, the Sunshine Coast’s crime rates are among the lowest in Queensland, I know that it only takes one incident of crime to have a deep, irreversible impact on people and families.

“We’ve seen very promising results come out of our gold standard early intervention programs, but I want to see more.””

Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski said the chopper would help keep the community and police safe.

“Aerial assets are a game-changer in the way police track offenders, search for missing people and gain extensive situational awareness from above.

“Bolstering resources for police will help our frontline now and into the future as the organisation continues to grow.”