Backlog in kitting out cop cars leaves dozens sitting idle

Queensland Police vehicles purchased up to four years ago are sitting idle in the carpark of a Brisbane depot, due to delays installing specialist radios, lights and branding.

Vision obtained by 9News, filmed last week, shows dozens of cars awaiting work by the organisation’s Fleet Services Group.

Some 2023 models had registration plates sitting on their dashboards due to expire in October.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior estimated up to $8 million worth of new stock had not hit the road.

“Something needs to be done because taxpayers’ money is being spent on this,” he said.

The vehicles are awaiting the installation of specialist radios, lights and branding.Credit: Nine News

“Those vehicles no longer have a warranty. They’ve been sitting on flat tyres, which also is a significant workplace health and safety issue.

“We’ve also heard reports of vermin making a home in vehicles sitting there in the yard.”

Queensland Police policy dictates that vehicles should be replaced when they clock 100,000 kilometres.

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Prior claimed he had received reports of officers being forced to drive vehicles with 250,000-kilometre odometer readings.

“We’ve also got a prisoner van up in Caboolture that has over half a million kilometres on the clock,” he said.

“That is unsafe for anyone, both our police and the people that we have in our custody when we are using those vehicles.

“A vehicle is an essential piece of police equipment. Our officers need to be confident that the vehicles that they drive every day are safe, that they will respond well under urgent duty driving conditions.”

Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said concerns were raised with him in May, and he “committed to addressing issues associated with delays around the fitout required of Government Wireless Network (GWN) radios in vehicles”.

“As a result of these actions, the backlog has now been cleared,” he said.

“The QPS has dealt with significant growth in recent years and has a working group meeting weekly to manage the ongoing volume to ensure vehicles are delivered to the frontline as soon as practicable.”

Meanwhile, police officers have reached an in-principle agreement with the LNP government over a new pay deal, winning increases to late-night shift allowances, greater incentives for remote and regional work, and an $8000 retention payment for every general duties officer across Queensland.

The agreement was celebrated by Premier David Crisafulli on Tuesday morning, as negotiations with unions representing other public sector workers appeared further from reach.

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