WITH Queensland Police promising the Gold Coast a dedicated special violent-crimes taskforce, debate has risen again for a police helicopter for the region.

Gold Coast City Council mayor Ron Clarke said he was pushing to reopen the debate, first aired in 2007, for a dedicated police helicopter to service the coast.

“In 2007, Council passed a resolution to approach the Queensland Police to seek their views and hopefully, support for at least a 12-week trial,” Cr Clarke said.

“At that time we had obtained sufficient financial support from the business community and Council to completely underwrite the costs involved in leasing the dedicated police helicopter and maintaining the service.

“A dedicated helicopter service would deter criminals who currently know that police pursuits and surveillance are restricted to ground operations.”

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said at a press conference on Friday that Queensland Police were happy to debate the need for a police helicopter on the Gold Coast.

“I'm on record saying that our aerial needs are firstly in really-isolated areas,” Commissioner Atkinson said.

“Once we have achieved that I would like to move into the debate about helicopters, but we have to do it in sequence,” he said.

Cr Clarke said the recent spate of armed robberies again highlighted the need for more police resources.

“A helicopter can operate 24 hours a day, be in sight of any robbery alarm within minutes and so observe criminals on the run by foot or in vehicles,” Cr Clarke said.

“The major reason for such a service is the deterrent it presents to would-be criminals who could no longer count on making a getaway before police can arrive as well as assist in their detection by working with patrol cars,” he said.

On Friday, Queensland Police announced a new violent-crime unit for the Gold Coast comprising 18 detectives that is due to start work today. Taskforce Resolve was made up of four teams of four detectives.

The announcement came in response to the shooting death of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, who was shot in the head when he responded to an armed robbery at Pacific Pines on May 29.