|
CHOGM Press Conference
CHOGM MEDIA BRIEFING
SUPERINTENDENT BOB WATSON
CHOGM MEDIA CENTRE
2 MARCH 2002
TIM: Chief Superintendent Bob Watson, who's the Officer-in-Charge of
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Planning Unit of the Queensland Police
Service. He's got a couple of words to say about how today's gone, security
and protest-wise, and then he's got time for a few questions.
MR WATSON: Thank you very much, Tim. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for the opportunity of being present at this briefing. At this point
in time the Queensland Police Service is very pleased with the arrangements
that have taken place especially as they relate to the security and the management
of the event. Today we saw the opening ceremony take place and several motorcades,
including Her Majesty, move in and out of the Hyatt for the opening ceremony.
From our point of view, and especially as it relates to the protest activity,
we have been very pleased that the negotiations and the consultation that has
taken place between all the group leaders, the Queensland Police Service and
the Queensland Government, culminated in a day where there were no arrests and
no confrontation. I am very hopeful that as we move through the remainder of
this event that we will maintain the same process and that the application,
as it relates to overall security planning and operation arrangements, will
remain intact. Any questions?
QUESTION: Were you surprised at the small number of protestors that
did eventually gather at the front of the CHOGM meeting?
MR WATSON: There was no way of identifying exactly what number would
be involved in terms of the protest activity and it was very difficult under
the circumstances, I understand, for a number of the groups to
co-ordinate transport arrangements.
QUESTION: There was a report today of some stolen cyanide. Are you concerned
about that at all or will you take any precautions?
MR WATSON: No, that's not a matter that the Queensland Police Service
is investigating. The Western Australian Police have carriage of that matter.
QUESTION: Are you expecting any other protests now during the remainder
of CHOGM or were they all confined to the one day and they're now all over?
MR WATSON: No, there may be further protests and we'll wait and see
what the groups determine after today. However, I am very confident that the
arrangements that we have in place will be maintained throughout the period
of this event.
QUESTION: Could you tell us please the total number of security personnel
you have deployed, how many police, and how many of other services?
MR WATSON: The numbers - the numbers that have been deployed from the
Queensland Police Service were determined through the appreciation of the International
Collection Planners of the … assessments. The Queensland Police Service
was supported by three other major providers and that's the Australian Defence
Force, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization and the Australian
Federal Police.
QUESTION: …..
MR WATSON: The actual numbers in terms of the Queensland Police Service
were that - from throughout the serving members in the State and that includes
civilians, we had approximately 4,000 members on the ground.
QUESTION: Have you found any contraband or made any trespass arrests
in the last few days?
MR WATSON: There was one arrest made earlier this morning and that was
for obstruction and that person was charged and later released on bail.
QUESTION: …..
MR WATSON: That person was arrested at the front of this complex.
QUESTION: …..
MR WATSON: They were actually here to seek an audience with Her Majesty.
QUESTION: And what happened then?
MR WATSON: After some period of consultation with the police, unavoidably
the person refused to move and he was subsequently arrested and charged.
QUESTION: And he's been charged with?
MR WATSON: Obstruct police.
QUESTION: Mr Watson, has there been, or was there rather, a major re-evaluation
of security needs in the aftermath of September last year.
MR WATSON: After September 11, with the uncertainty that existed internationally
and locally, yes, of course there were and there was a much higher profile in
terms of the planning arrangements and the security maintenance program that
needed to exist throughout the period of this event.
QUESTION: The difference between the security arrangements that were
in place for the first CHOGM meeting that was postponed, what the differences
are between the security for that and the security for this meeting?
MR WATSON: Yes, there were significant differences and the main difference
was the emphasis, and the emphasis was clearly on a higher ratio as it applied
to possible acts of terrorism.
QUESTION: The man who was charged, what was the issue he raised?
MR WATSON: He didn't identify the issue: he simply sought an audience
with the Queen.
QUESTION: Do you know what nationality he was?
MR WATSON: Australian.
QUESTION: Can I just ask Peter Hall, the serial pest, was rumoured to
make an appearance today. There was no sign of him. Can you give any information
about his whereabouts?
MR WATSON: Peter Hall, from my understanding, wasn't in a position to
attend CHOGM today.
QUESTION: …..
MR WATSON: No, I can't.
TIM: Final questions, everyone. Any others?
MR WATSON: Thank you very much.
ENDS
|
