Police Commissioner to announce changes to Gold Coast police

Too little too late?

A SHAKE-up of Gold Coast policing is expected to be announced today by Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson. Mr Atkinson travelled to the Coast today to meet senior officers and will hold a press conference this afternoon.

It is not known if the shake-up is linked to Operation Tesco, a major misconduct probe launched by the Crime and Misconduct Commission earlier this year after allegations some police officers had become too close to the Surfers Paradise nightclub scene. Six Gold Coast officers have been stood down this year over various allegations of misconduct.

As well, rank-and-file Coast police have complained they are desperately undermanned to cope with the region's rapidly-growing population and large tourist influx.

A police spokeswoman said Mr Atkinson would announce "a wide-reaching suite of changes to improving policing services on the Gold Coast". "The Commissioner will today meet officers in Gold Coast District and stakeholders to discuss the many changes," she said.

SOURCE