Community ‘gets around’ local police in time of need

FLAGS are flying at half-mast, out the front of police stations across Australia this week, after the shocking incident in remote Queensland on Monday, in which two young police officers, and a rural neighbour lost their lives.

But the heartening response from the community, demonstrating support for police locally, has meant a lot.

A spokesman for the Wonthaggi Police said members of the community had stopped by to offer their condolences and even to leave home-baked biscuits, cakes and cards with warm messages of support.

“There wouldn’t be an officer who hasn’t walked down a driveway following up on exactly that sort of inquiry,” said Leading Senior Constable Nick Carlson.

“It affects all of us but to get that sort of support from the community really means a lot at this time,” he said.

The flags including Australia’s Southern Cross on blue, the Aboriginal flag in black, red and yellow and the green, black and blue of the Torres Strait Islanders’ flag were seen fluttering side-by-side as the unimaginable tragedy brought everyone together in shock and sadness.