EXPERIENCED and ready to tackle youth crime, Queensland’s first Cross-Border Commissioner is laying down the law.
Moreton Border News spoke with Ian Leavers last week.
He made it clear cross border arrests need to happen more fluidly for the justice system to work efficiently.
Fourteen of his 35 years as a police officer were spent policing the Ipswich district.
He said the experience gave him insight into the cycle of crime and the need to intervene early.
Having a system that allows easy extradition of offenders who flee across the border after committing a crime, was imperative.
“There is cross border jurisdiction legislation in the Northern Territory and an agreement between South Australia and Western Australia”, he said.
“If a person commits a crime in or is located in a cross border community, they can be apprehended and dealt with by a cross border judicial officer.
“I am looking into that and had brief conversations with the new attorney general because I think that may be a possible way forward.”
He said to make it work required co-operation between state governments, attorney generals, courts, police and correction departments.
“It will be a massive step forward because, while police have authority in both jurisdictions, when we find someone, we can interview them but that’s about all,” he said.
“We are unable to bring them back into Queensland, they have to be extradited and that can be a lengthy process and sometimes just becomes unworkable.”
Offenders over the border know these limitations and use it to their advantage.
“The benefit of this type of cross border jurisdiction legislation is if offences are committed on one side of the border, they can be dealt with in the one sitting,” he said.
“That is better for the victim and offender.
He said in his previous role with the police union, he’d been ‘very supportive’ of the adult crime, adult time concept.
“My reasoning is we need to become more victim centric and look after the victims because at times it’s all about the rights of the offenders, people have had enough,” he said.
“It was put to me at a press conference that juveniles should not be in detention and my answer was simple, who do we let out?
“The armed robber, rapist, murderer or someone who has committed a violent home invasion?
“I knew the average Queenslander wants them dealt with according to the law and to receive an appropriate sentence because we deserve to be protected.”
With 35 years policing behind him, he’s seen the emotional toll crime takes on the victim.
“When you talk to victims, they’re living in fear, especially the elderly who live on their own,” he said.
“At night they are afraid something is going to happen, there needs to be a swing around and I hope there is.
“When it came to ‘adult crime, adult time’ I went a bit harder and suggested they take away welfare benefits.
“I was an avid supporter of the cashless debit card.
“It’s a privilege to receive welfare but if you want other privileges, you can get work, that’s the way to go.”
