Security Union calls Police Minister

Date: 30 January 2002

The LHMU Security Union has called for urgent talks with the NSW Police Minister, Michael Costa, over his plans to allow police to work - in police uniform - as private security guards during their off-duty hours.

" It seems to have been a decision made without any consultation with the industry," LHMU Security Union NSW Secretary, Annie Owens said today.

" When our security union members see police patrolling local shopping centres will they have to ask them: 'in what capacity are you patrolling - as public servants or as private security guards.'

" Currently police do regular patrols of shopping malls and consult closely with our members.

" Will there now be a not too subtle disincentive for police not to patrol shopping malls - except if they are being paid extra dollars, in their own hours?

" The potential for a conflict of interest to arise seems to be huge.

" It is a matter we need to discuss with Minister Costa," Annie Owens said. " Our members working as private security guards are bound by strict rules and regulations as to what they can or cannot do - and when they should hand a task over to police. " They need to undergo specialized training to understand these rules, regulations and the limits on their powers. " Police Minister Costa needs to assure us that the same rules and regulations will bind off-duty police, working as private security guards ... that there will not be one rule for our members and another rule for police.

" We will raise this issue at a meeting of the NSW Labor Council so that our union can come to a principled, joint position with the Police Association."

The LHMU proudly represents more than 150,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia.

For info: Annie Owens, LHMU Security Union

8204 7204 or

0425 214 881

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