Queensland police will lobby nationally for officers to be able to remotely shut down the engines of cars they are pursuing after a constable was seriously injured while trying to stop a vehicle.
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Police Commissioner Ian Stewart and Police Minister Mark Ryan on Friday backed a call for vehicle immobilisers to be introduced as Constable Peter McAulay, 24, remains in an induced coma in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital.
He had just placed tyre spikes on a road to stop the car in Ipswich on Thursday when he was struck, receiving serious head and internal injuries and broken bones.
A 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl have been charged with attempted murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle over the incident.
They faced the Queensland Children's Court on Friday and were remanded in custody to reappear in November.
After the incident, Queensland Police Union renewed its calls for remote immobilisers to be fitted in new cars, which would allow police to remotely shut down the engine of a vehicle involved in a pursuit.
The commissioner on Friday said he supported the idea "100 per cent".
"I think it's time to seriously consider this. The union certainly supports that push and I think we can get the other police jurisdictions on board," Mr Stewart said on Friday.
Mr Ryan said he had long been a proponent of remote immobilisers and he would raise the issue again with his state and federal colleagues.
"There's a ministerial council of police ministers next month. Let's put it on the agenda. Let's get it done," Mr Ryan said.
Federal cabinet minister and former Queensland police officer Peter Dutton has called for a national approach to police pursuit rules following the incident.
The minister and the commissioner defended Queensland's pursuit policy, saying it was already in line with best-practice recommendations.
Mr Stewart said they were hoping for a good outcome for Const McAuley, with Friday seeing remembrance day services honouring officers killed in the line of duty across the country.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country's thoughts and prayers were with the injured officer.
"It is a reminder, I think, of the work and the sacrifice and the risks that our police officers take all around the country every day," he said.
Const McAulay's family say while their focus is on his recovery, they are grateful to police and the wider community for their support.
"We would also like to thank the medical staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital for their round-the-clock care of Peter as well as the paramedics who treated him yesterday," they said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
