THOUSANDS of disgruntled police officers have descended on Brisbane to march on state parliament with a list of grievances.

Around 5,000 officers from as far afield as Longreach and Cairns carried placards, some demanding a better pay rise than the five per cent they have been offered and some demanding mandatory sentencing for police assault.

Other officers just wanted a police helicopter like neighbouring state police forces take for granted nowadays or a police radio network without blackspots.

Some 2,000 people lined the footpaths, the overwhelming majority applauding and waving placards in support of officers taking part in Pride in Policing Day, the first rally staged by the force in Queensland.

The march was led by Christine Irwin, the grieving mother of Constable Brett Irwin who was shot dead on July 18 while attending a routine parole inquiry at a house on Brisbane's northside.

One of the officers at the rally was Loganholme constable Grant Sampson, who emerged from a coma after nearly four weeks in a Brisbane hospital.

He had been hit over the head with a bottle as he administered first aid to an injured party-goer attacked by gatecrashers south of Brisbane on June 23.

Police are calling for mandatory sentencing for those who assault them.

"What gives someone the right to go around assaulting people and get away with it," Const Sampson told a cheering crowd.

A police helicopter and higher wages were also needed, he said.

"I'm sure your salary is about triple mine and we're out there busting our guts to keep the streets safe for you - and sometimes I ask myself why."

Queensland Police Union (QPU) acting president Denis Fitzpatrick said Sunday's march was made partly in pride and partly in protest.

"We can no longer be silent about the treatment we have endured at the hands of the Beattie Labor government," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

The police radio network was a 'relic of the 1950s' and contained black spots which contributed to the death of Senior Sergeant Perry Irwin who was killed by a drug-crazed gunman in 2003, Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"The lack of resources in this police service is appalling and if I have to mention everything, I wouldn't have the time and frankly we'd be here until dinner," he said.

QPU general secretary Phil Hocken called on Premier Peter Beattie to retire after the government's handling of the case of Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.

Snr Sgt Hurley was charged, and later acquitted by a court, of the manslaughter of a man in police custody on Palm Island, off north Queensland in 2004.

"The over-ruling of the DPP (Department of Public Prosecutions) to charge Chris Hurley was absolutely disgraceful," Mr Hocken said.

"Peter Beattie says he's thinking about retirement.

"Well I say, think harder, Mr Beattie."

Source:  The Age