- The Crisafulli Government is bolstering the aerial crime-fighting capability of POLAIR in North Queensland and turning the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
- Two new POLAIR helicopters delivered, operational capability expanded.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and rebuilding the frontline after a decade of decline under Labor which saw the number of victims of crime skyrocket by 193 per cent.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering two new POLAIR helicopters for Townsville to restore safety in North Queensland and turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
POLAIR's operations in North Queensland have now transitioned to a full operating capability, bolstering the team's capability, with identical aircraft and mission control equipment to the existing POLAIR aircraft in South East Queensland.
The former Labor Government failed to properly fund POLAIR across the State.
The POLAIR team of Tactical Flight Officers operate across a large area, from Proserpine to Ingham and west to Charters Towers, significantly bolstering the ability of police to respond to critical incidents, tracking stolen vehicles, responding to serious domestic incidents, searching for missing persons and assisting with the arrest of offenders in the Townsville district.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and rebuilding the frontline with the number of Queensland Police surging past 13,000 for the first time in the state's history after Labor's decade of decline.
This milestone comes a month after the Crisafulli Government delivered on a key election commitment with more than 1,600 new police officers joining the frontline to fight Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
The strengthening of POLAIR in North Queensland is one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live, after the former Labor Government weakened youth crime laws that saw victim numbers skyrocket 193 per cent.
Strong laws, more police and a record early intervention and rehabilitation investment is already delivering early results with victim numbers down 7.2 per cent in 2025, compared with the previous year.
The Bell 429 helicopters are delivered under a 10-year service contract between the QPS and local service provider Meridian Helicopters.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Crisafulli Government was restoring safety in North Queensland by backing police with the resources they need after Labor's decade of decline.
"The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety in North Queensland by backing our police with the laws and resources they need to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis," Minister Purdie said.
"Labor's failure to properly fund POLAIR put this vital service and the people of North Queensland at risk as crime continued to spiral out of control during their decade of decline.
"The Crisafulli Government has delivered critical funding for POLAIR which means more eyes in the sky, faster response times on the ground and stronger support for frontline officers to make Queensland safer."
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the Crisafulli Government was delivering the resources local police need to restore safety and drive down victim numbers after a decade of Labor neglect.
"Having two POLAIR aircraft means critical maintenance can be carried out on one without sacrificing the availability of aerial support from the other when it's needed – ensuring police have the backing they need, when they need it," Mr Baillie said.
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the addition of two new POLAIR helicopters is an important step in restoring safety in Townsville.
"After nearly 30 years of service as a police officer in Townsville, I have seen the role POLAIR plays in supporting community safety - its capability is an important part of frontline policing across North Queensland," Ms Poole said.
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said people want continued action and greater community safety, and the Crisafulli Government was stepping up to the challenge.
"The addition of two new POLAIR helicopters demonstrates the Crisafulli Government's commitment to protecting the safety of Queenslanders by resourcing our Police with the tools they need to fight crime and make our communities safer."
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr welcomed the expansion of POLAIR in North Queensland.
"This is about keeping our community safe, providing police with the resources they need, and getting criminals off our streets sooner," Ms Marr said.
Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing said the official launch demonstrates the QPS's commitment to supporting frontline policing and keeping North Queensland communities safe.
"POLAIR's aerial support has been instrumental in supporting our officers on the ground and protecting the North Queensland community," Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
"With the expansion of POLAIR operations and state-of-the-art Bell 429 helicopters, we are further strengthening our ability to combat crime, respond to emergencies, and ensure our communities are safer."
QPS Police Air Operations Manager Chief Inspector Daniel Bust said significant operational results by POLAIR highlight the value of the capability to frontline policing across North Queensland.
"The POLAIR helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art mission role equipment, including Forward Looking Infrared camera (FLIR) sensors, that provide real-time situational awareness to frontline and specialist police," he said.
"This means police on the ground have access to critical information as events unfold, enhancing decision-making, improving officer safety, and increasing the likelihood of apprehending offenders."
POLAIR helicopter statistics for Townsville since 1 January 2025:
Responded to 1,147 calls for service
Assisted with the arrest of 415 offenders, including 135 juveniles
Attended 209 serious domestic violence incidents as a first response capability and involved in containing or locating 129 respondents
Responded to 174 stolen vehicle jobs and recovered 75 stolen vehicles
