Bodycam footage captured the moment a cop erupted at three teenagers accused of breaking into homes and stealing a car.
The officer confronted the group after chasing them down alongside his German Shepherd at a school in Far North Queensland last Tuesday.
The teenagers hid from the policeman on the school’s roof after the officer received reports alleging they’d stolen a car and broken into homes.
‘Get down, show us your hands,’ the police officer shouted to the trio.
‘Get down off the roof now. You’re all under arrest.’
The three teens lowered themselves off the roof and followed the officer’s instructions to lay down on the ground.
The German Shepherd continued barking loudly as the officer told the minors the community was ‘sick of’ their behaviour.
‘Guys, guess what? You are under arrest for unlawful use of a motor vehicle. It means you’re stealing cars,’ the cop said.
‘The community is sick of you. They’re sick of your dangerous driving, they’re sick of you breaking into their homes. Had enough.’
Queensland Police said the group were charged with a total of 16 offences.
The confronting footage comes as the force continues a crackdown on property crime in Far North Queensland.
In the last week alone, local police have arrested 61 people on 279 charges, including burglary and stolen vehicle offences.
That figure included a 16-year-old boy from Manoora who was charged with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and one count of obstructing police.
Another Cairns teen was issued four charges of unlawful use of motor vehicle and two counts of enter property with intent and one of robbery.
Far North District Officer Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said Queensland Police’s top priority was protecting the community.
‘The results from the first week of this enforcement show we’re moving in the right direction, and we’ll continue this action to protect vulnerable Queenslanders and tackle serious offenders,’ he said.
‘We are continuing to adapt to the community’s needs, and our officers are working relentlessly to hold offenders accountable.
‘We’re grateful for the ongoing support from the community in assisting us in driving down offending, and they can be assured our efforts to keep them safe will never wane.’
Queensland Police Service further detailed its ongoing efforts to detect, deter, and disrupt crime on Monday.
‘The QPS’ borderless policing posture allows resources to be shared between districts and commands, to conduct targeted, intelligence-driven activities,’ it said.
‘These activities will include both covert and overt strategies, and high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas including the Cairns CBD, shopping centres and public transport.’