Safety concern in remote community with police station unstaffed

A remote police station in Far North Queensland has been left without staff as its sole officer took unplanned leave, leaving residents near Laura on southern Cape York Peninsula concerned about their safety. Queensland Police Service (QPS) confirmed the Laura police station was empty while they sought to fill the vacant position.

Patrols and call-outs in the interim were covered by officers from Cooktown and Hope Vale, more than 140 kilometers away. Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service executive Thelma Schwartz expressed deep concern over the understaffing in remote locations, stating that it poses significant risks for domestic violence victim-survivors.

She noted that police response times should be urgent and available, regardless of the location. Ms Schwartz highlighted that calls from towns without a local officer were often diverted, leading to delays of several hours. Locals in Laura expressed worry about the lack of police support, citing issues like illegal campers, arsonists, and the need for assistance during the wet season when flooding could cut roads.

Debbie Symonds, organizer of the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, pointed out that the community was not adequately informed about the unstaffed police station, particularly due to the large number of tourists passing through the area. QPS President Shane Prior acknowledged that a relief officer could have been sent immediately while they recruited, emphasizing that the community deserved better and deserved a police officer.

He noted that 745 positions were currently vacant across the service. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie stated that 272 new officers had been posted to the Far North since the LNP came to power.