The Mount Isa Magistrate’s Court occasionally has hearings involving Territorians released on bail who abscond across the border where the Queensland Police Service has no jurisdiction.

Police are vigilant during the rodeo weekend when an influx of visitors visit the city and remain for a while. 

Senior Sergeant Col Henderson said: “They should get their matter dealt with as soon as possible rather than it hanging over for their shoulders for a period of time.” 

Senior Sergeant Henderson said police operations were held before the rodeo where police tracked down people on warrants. 

“We would do lots more street checks and police will check faces they do not know.” 

It was not easy to track people with outstanding warrants, especially if they gave a fake name or used that of a family member – these circumstances were not unheard of in the magistrate’s court. 

Senior Sergeant Henderson said part of the operation was speaking to Department of Housing tenants and warning them not to host large groups of family and friends. 

“They could come under notice and be breached for parties or for [hosting] too many people,” Senior Sergeant Henderson said.   

“If there’s any abnormal behaviour we will report to Housing to make sure they get a strike in tenancies.” 

Mount Isa Police Station was requesting up to 10 extra officers from Cairns and Townsville to support local police at the rodeo, he said.