Atkinson regrets not consulting Minister over sponsorship deal
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Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson says he hopes a proposed $100,000 sponsorship between CrimeStoppers and the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) will not be axed.
Under the proposed three-year deal, CrimeStoppers stickers on police cars would carry a BAC logo.
The Commissioner says he signed off on the deal and does not believe it is advertising.
Police Minister Judy Spence said yesterday she did not give approval for a sponsor's logo to appear on police cars.
Ms Spence said she was not aware of the details of the deal and asked for a full report from the Police Commissioner.
Commissioner Atkinson is preparing a report to the Minister, saying he should have discussed the sponsorship with Ms Spence.
"Policy matters of course are a matter where Government has a strong involvement," he said.
"I accept with the wisdom of hindsight that this is probably one that's straight into the policy area and perhaps I should've more fully briefed and engaged with the Minister in terms of the decision-making process."
He says he is disappointed by criticism of the arrangement but will review it.
"It is a seven-centimetre square logo, but we are very receptive to the views of the community," he said.
"We're here to serve the community and if we've done the wrong thing then I accept responsibility for that and we'll reconsider the whole thing or we'll ask CrimeStoppers to."
