Latest news with #ShanePrior
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Union backs police after teen shot in Townsville beer garden
Police have launched an investigation after officers shot a 17-year-old girl in a hotel beer garden in north Queensland. Police were called to the West End Hotel in Townsville about 5:30pm yesterday after reports a female armed with a knife was making threats. Police allege the teenager threatened officers and they shot her in the abdomen. The girl had surgery overnight and was in a stable condition in Townsville University Hospital this morning. Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said he had full confidence in the officers involved. "This was a confronting and life-threatening situation for police," he said. Mr Prior said an officer fired to protect their colleague's life. "They thought that that person was in mortal danger … and fired a single shot at the offender," he said. "I am completely convinced from what I know that the actions of police were justified. In fact, they showed significant bravery and compassion. "I am confident that the action police took prevented patrons at the hotel from being harmed or possibly murdered." Mr Prior said the officers had not been stood down. Police have confirmed the Ethical Standards Command is investigating the incident with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he felt "a huge degree of remorse for everyone involved". "I think it's important that that investigation is enabled to do its job and we should allow that to run its course," he said. "These things are never easy things for anyone involved." It is the second time police have shot a person in the city this year. Police shot a 23-year-old man who was reportedly suffering a mental health episode on January 28. Mr Prior said he was concerned there was not enough support available for people suffering mental health issues. "I would suggest Townsville has an issue when it comes to mental health and the level of care and perhaps substance abuse," he said. "I just hope investigators look at that. This has been a long standing issue in Townsville."
ABC News
10-05-2025
- ABC News
Queensland Police to review pursuit policy amid spate of car thefts
Queensland police are reviewing a no-pursuit policy the union says gives a green light to car thieves. Despite the introduction of tougher "adult crime, adult time" penalties, the rate of car thefts remains stubbornly high in cities including Townsville in North Queensland, where a stolen car recently disrupted an Anzac Day service. Police cannot pursue a driver unless there is an imminent threat to life, a driver has made threats to kill or has committed an indictable offence. Police union president Shane Prior said the policy was clear but restrictive. "Frontline police are frustrated with the current policy and the community finds it absurd," he said. "It has effectively become a green light for criminals in Queensland to drive almost without consequence." A Queensland police spokesperson said yesterday a review was underway. Police Minister Dan Purdie said he had supported the policy until recently. The former police officer's view changed with the introduction of tougher sentencing options. "Now police are armed with tougher laws, we do want to give our police back the balance of power on the street, to hold those offenders to account, stop them in their tracks and put them before the court," he said. He stressed policy matters were ultimately a matter for the police commissioner. "When it is worth taking that urgent duty driving action, we want to make sure police have the backing of government," he said. The current pursuit policy does not ban the pursuit of stolen vehicles, but says alternative options must be considered, including tyre-deflating devices and roadblocks. Tighter rules were introduced in 2011 when coroner Michael Barnes made a series of recommendations after the death of 10 people involved in police pursuits between 2005 and 2008. A police spokesperson said the QPS Safe Driving Policy was being reviewed. "The QPS Safe Driving Policy is being reviewed to identify opportunities to enhance the safety of officers and the community, while still allowing pursuits in permissible circumstances," he said. "QPS will work to apprehend those who evade interception, but pursuits will often not be the principal means of apprehension." In Townsville, more than 400 car theft offences have been recorded since January 1, which is about 9 per cent higher than in the same period in 2024. Local athlete Jake Doran is assessing the damage to his high-performance Kia Stinger, which was stolen on Thursday morning and spotted being driven erratically around the city. It was found crashed later that night, with an extra 800 kilometres on the odometer. "Obviously they've had their fun with it, both the inside and outside have been ruined ... they've obviously crashed it and ditched it," he said. "Stop the cars before they actually clock hundreds of kilometres on Townsville roads at high speeds."
