Citizen's arrest! Civilians are forced to fill in for senior police due to 'extreme short staffing' amid urgent calls for an extra 1650 officers
- Police says staff shortages mean civilians have to perform 'relieving duties' when sworn officers are unavailable
- A civilian staffer took the place of a superintendent in just one instance
- Union says 1650 extra officers needed immediately as routine jobs such as welfare checks and car crashes were being delayed
Civilians are moonlighting as police officers because of a chronic staff shortage in a major Australian state.
In one instance, an unbadged staff member took on the role of an acting commander in Queensland's protective services unit, a position usually performed by a police superintendent.
Policing in the Sunshine State has reached critical levels according to the union, with about 1650 extra officers needed immediately, The Courier-Mail reports.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart (pictured left) and Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers (right) admitted the current staff shortages are concerning
Police staffing in Queensland has reached critical levels, with an estimated 1650 extra officers needed immediately (stock image)
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said employment decisions were made in the best interests of the force and the general community.
'There have been instances in which civilian employees of the QPS have undertaken relieving duties during the absence of a sworn officer to effectively ensure business continuity for a specific unit,' the spokesman said.
'In such instances consideration is given to any legislative requirements within the work unit which would require duties to be undertaken by a sworn member and appropriate support is made available if required.
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'The QPS will continue to ensure all decisions in respect of relieving arrangements are made to achieve the best possible outcomes for the QPS and the community.'
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the high levels of staff shortages need to be urgently addressed.
'The Police Commissioner and the Government can no longer bury their heads in the sand when it comes to the issue of the massive short staffing that is occurring right across the police service,' he said.
Ian Leavers, the Queensland Police Union president (pictured right) has called for the issue of staff shortages to be urgently addressed
'As can be seen, some areas of policing are so short that civilians are relieving in police positions because there are simply not enough police.'
The Queensland Police Union revealed the shortages mean routine Code 3 jobs, which includes welfare checks and car crashes, involved delays of up to eight hours.
Less urgent Code 4 jobs now tend to be 'routinely' handled within 24 hours.
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