New Brisbane Police Unit Launched to Safeguard Major Events

The Brisbane Region Major Events and Planning Unit has been launched in a ceremony held on 8 May 2018 at Suncorp Stadium for a better, safer, and more secure hosting of events in Brisbane.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Crawford was joined by Police Minister Mark Ryan in officially launching the new Major Events Planning Unit which combines the North and South Brisbane District resources, making it the largest planning unit in Qld.

The newly established unit will help the police provide better planning support to event organisers as well as work with the community and other partners to deliver safe events throughout the Brisbane Region with a strong focus on the City, Valley, and Riverside patrol groups.

As before, the new planning unit will ensure that sporting and other major events held in Brisbane are safe and secure for locals and visitors alike.

Assistant Commissioner Crawford particularly noted the 2018 Commonwealth Games that was held on the Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, and in Brisbane which he said highlighted QPS professionalism in supporting outstanding safe and secure events.

“The very experienced team in the Major Events Planning Unit will build upon those experiences, extensive local knowledge and well-developed relationships to ensure the Queensland Police Service can maintain a safe environment to host events in our growing and busy city,” Assistant Commissioner Crawford said.

“Development in the city and surrounding areas over the next few years will add new challenges for planners.

“I am confident the team working with our local and state Government partners is well placed to continue to showcase our beautiful city as we attract more and more events into the future.”

“Major events bring a lot of activity to our city, and this unit will ensure the safety of our community through the promotion of those events running smoothly,” Minister Ryan said.

“The more successful events we host here, the more likely they will become regular features on the Queensland event calendar, ultimately enhancing Brisbane’s growing reputation as a world-class event and tourism destination.

“The police who make up the Brisbane Region Major Events and Planning Unit will be able to continue demonstrating their abilities to meet stakeholder needs with upcoming events, as they implement their revised unit,” he said.