Operation Whiskey Legion wraps up 9-day deployment to Mount Isa District

83 people have been charged with 163 offences after officers saturated hotspots across the Mount Isa District.

Operation Whiskey Legion commenced on August 26 with specialist police from Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Dog Squad, and Crime Prevention joining local police to drive down crime in the area and take strong action against those causing harm in the community.

The additional officers conducted 104 proactive patrols and engaged with 2017 members of the community as part of crime prevention activities.

Officers were deployed to Mount Isa city, Doomadgee, Normanton and Mornington Island over the nine days.

In total, 66 adults were arrested on 104 offences and 17 young people were arrested on 59 offences.

16 domestic violence related offences were preferred, with further support provided to several victims.

Mount Isa District Officer Superintendent Tom Armitt said targeting high-risk domestic violence offenders was a priority for the deployment.

“There is no place for domestic violence in our community, and we want locals to know that this enforcement and investigations will continue after Operation Whiskey Legion,” Superintendent Armitt said.

“We have welcomed the surge in policing and will continue to target those causing harm to our community.”

The deployment provided diverse opportunities for detectives, who were able to make further enquiries into an ongoing investigation into fatal hit and run in Mornington in 2022.

On August 30, detectives commandeered a fire truck to help extinguish a grass fire threatening homes on Mornington Island.

Police proactively engaged with locals at several community activities, including Cricket with a Cop, a youth basketball tournament, a soccer carnival, and deployments of the Mobile Police Facility.

Superintendent Tom Armitt said police received positive feedback from the community, who welcomed the high visibility policing.

“During this deployment, not only have police provided support to victims of crime, but through activities that foster strong, positive relationships with locals,” Superintendent Armitt said.

“This is a testament to both the excellent work conducted during the operation, and the ongoing community engagement officers in the Mount Isa District take part in all year round.”

Since Operation Whiskey Legion began in April, a total of 3269 people have been arrested on 8307 charges.

The operation will continue to be deployed to other communities across the state.

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