Frustration in ranks of Queensland Police after roster 'trial' announced

Exclusive: There is frustration in the ranks of Queensland Police following a decision to overhaul rosters on the Gold Coast.

9News can reveal a trial will begin in January, combining all the coast's stations onto a single roster - but officers fear the new system may worsen burnout.

"One hundred per cent, police on the Gold Coast are feeling burnt out," Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said.

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Some officers' frustrations are now growing after management announced a roster overhaul.

On January 25 all Gold Coast stations will move to a single roster, with officers given seven options to vote on.

"What we want to try and do is better align our rosters to manage our demand so we can maintain community safety, but allow our officers to be able to work a roster that gives them a work-life balance and allows them to have less fatigue" Hanlon said.

However, sources have told 9News the changes will rely on the Rapid Action and Patrol unit to fill station vacancies.

Additionally, Station Inquiry Sections, which handle administrative tasks like domestic violence paperwork, will be scrapped, potentially leaving general duties officers with a greater load.

Asked whether this would add to the load of officers and increase burnout, Hanlon said it would give officers flexibility.

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"We think there'll be greater flexibility in allowing people to do some of those functions across a broad spectrum of policing," he said.

One officer told 9News that "'The feeling on the ground is that the roster isn't going to work" and that a one-size-fits-all roster is strange.

"We're not changing rosters and giving them a complete 180, we're moving them slightly so we've got staff where the demand is," Hanlon said.

"As we go through the trial we will identify issues and either address them or have them included in the evaluation.

"I've got no doubt talking to staff, the majority of staff want to see change. If we do that we'll maintain community safety a lot better."

The shake-up comes after the Police Service Engaged Rostering experts, the trial will run for three months with a similar system also set to be tested in the North Brisbane District.

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