On 30th April 1988 Brisbane’s World Expo 88 opened. It was heralded as the leading international event of the Australian Bicentenary, and promised to be the most spectacular celebration of leisure, technical achievement and cultural exchange Australia had ever seen. It did not disappoint! The theme was ‘Leisure in the age of Technology’. Acting Commissioner of Police Ron J. Redmond acknowledged the heavy commitment of resources required, and the considerable policing challenge for the Queensland Police Force (as it was known then).
Police Officer Handbook for Expo 88 allocated to Constable W.F. Bryant.
Image Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
Officers were allocated a confidential handbook, as show above, which included Duties and Responsibilities, Law and Procedures, handy telephone extensions, and a map with index of pavilions and other important locations.
The Royal Barge makes its way on the Brisbane River towards Expo 88 with Water Police vessel M.L. Low keeping a close eye on proceedings.
Image No. PM2342B Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
Queen Elizabeth II opened World Expo 88 and her arrival in Australia, and Brisbane, caused even larger crowds than the city thought possible. Police in all fields had a duty to oversee her visit and ensure the safety and security of Her Majesty, the entourage, and of course visitors to this exciting and world renowned event.
Police officers and crowds await the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II for the opening of Expo 88.
Image No. PM2342G Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
After Expo 88 finished the site was redeveloped as ‘South Bank’ with vibrant spaces for locals and tourists to enjoy. The area boasts a patrolled beach, lush green parkland, shops and eateries till you drop, and a host of cultural and artistic centres. It is policed by Southbank Station, and new Segways provide a swift and novel police presence.
Officers patrolling South Bank on new Segways,
September 2013.
Image 968368 taken by Sgt B. Schnitzerling,
QPS Photographics Section
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“Policing Expo 88” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode… Continue reading