Special Services is a user-pays arrangement for events which require police attendance over and above ordinary policing response.
Specials are a part of police management of events which may have public order or safety issues, and the decision to use specials as a part of a policing response is one for local senior officers.
It is totally appropriate that in certain circumstances organisations offset the costs to the Queensland taxpayer during events which require additional resourcing to ensure public safety and order.
The payment of specials does not influence police performance or response. Officers on specials do not take instruction from the organisation that has paid for the specials. The Service manages thousands of protests each year. Our primary role is to ensure the safety of all involved and, where necessary, to carry out law enforcement.
The special services rate is $111.10 per hour per officer for 2009/10. This is based on the average salaried level of a police officer performing specials (Senior Constable paypoint 4), at the overtime rate, plus cost-recovery for oncosts such as payroll tax and other overheads.
The special services rate is adjusted annually based on the change in payrate for Senior Constable paypoint 4.
The Queensland Police Service recovered a total of $31.6 million last financial year. This revenue is based on full-cost recovery for costs incurred by the QPS in performing services for wide-load vehicle escorts, traffic control and at events such as sporting or cultural events and other activities.
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