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Proud moment for Torres Strait policing
QPS Commissioner Ian Stewart, Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey, TSIRC Mayor Fred Gela, Superintendent Ned Moseby and David Kempton, Member for Cook. Image supplied
23 October 2013
D
avid Kempton, Member for Cook, has described today’s official launch of the Torres Strait Island Police Support Officers (TSIPSO) program as a “proud moment” in the region’s law enforcement history. Mr Kempton joined Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey, Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Fred Gela and Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart at a special ceremony in Cairns to mark the event. “Today 31 Torres Strait Island Community Police Officers have been sworn in as TSIPSOs,” he said. “There is no doubt this is a very
proud moment for the Torres Strait Island community, it has been years in the making and can be put down to a lot of hard work from the Minister, the TSIRC and the Queensland Police Force.” Speaking at the event, QPS Commissioner Stewart described the move as “important” and “historic” for law enforcement in Queensland. Mr Kempton said the TSIPSOs would operate under the supervision of QPS officers in the Torres Strait region, providing valuable support on a day to day basis. “These officers bring years of experience and local knowledge to the QPS and will no doubt be a fantastic asset to the QPS,” he said. Mr Dempsey said each TSIPSO would be provided with QPS
uniforms featuring specially designed rank epaulettes containing the primary colours of the Torres Strait flag. “The TSPISO will play an important role in community education and breaking down language barriers between police and island residents, as well as providing intelligence, situation reports in emergencies, help with search and rescue operations and advice about community issues and incidents,” he said. Mr Kempton sent out his personal congratulations to the 31 TSIPSOs as well as honorary Superintendent Ned Moseby. “This has been a long time coming for this community and this outcome is extremely well deserved,” he said.
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