The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has announced a revamped Townsville Stronger Communities Team led by the Northern Region’s top police officer, Assistant Commissioner, Mark Wheeler (pictured).
Also on the Team is the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, Phillip Brooks, who grew up in Townsville.
Assistant Commissioner Wheeler said the moves followed a comprehensive review informed by open and frank discussions with individuals working in Townville’s youth justice response.
“These will underpin the work of Townsville Stronger Communities which will be renamed the Townsville Stronger Communities Early Action Group,” Assistant Commissioner Wheeler said.
He said reforms included a more targeted purpose aimed squarely at early intervention; ensuring consistent representation from all relevant Government Agencies; and improving information-sharing arrangements between Government Agencies.
“We are also establishing a Community Reference Group with membership from a broad range of stakeholders including young people, First Nations people and other levels of Government,” Assistant Commissioner Wheeler said.
Minister for Police, Mark Ryan said the reset to Townsville’s Stronger Communities approach should make a real difference on the ground.
“We always want to do things better and, with a strong leadership team and a clearly defined purpose, the revamped Early Action Group can deliver better outcomes for young people,” Mr Ryan said.
“While we’ve put in place the strong laws, like a presumption against bail, to target the hard-core recidivist offenders, we must also continue to focus on early interventions for kids and their families to give them a better chance of leading productive lives,” he said.
