Policing promises -- bans imposed

Date: 07 March 2000

The PSA has imposed bans in the Police Service because management is directing elsewhere money allocated for civilianisation, i.e. the process of releasing police officers from administrative duties and putting them back on the beat is not happening.

The Public Service Association has imposed work bans in the Police Service because of the failure of the Government's to honour its commitment of an additional 350 administrative positions.

Filling these positions will allow the release of police officers to "on the beat" duties.

Premier Bob Carr promised these positions during the 1999 election campaign as part of an overall package of putting more police on the streets.

The Police Royal Commission said that civilianisation should occur in areas such as Exhibits and Rosters.

Eighteen months ago the Police Minister convened the Policy Industry Consultative Group to look at implementation of outstanding Royal Commission reforms including civilianisation. Agreement was reached on the civilianisation of Exhibits and Rosters.

$1.1 million was allocated by the Government to be spent this financial year on the commencement of the civilianisation program.

The Police Service has since indicated that they will no longer civilianise the positions of Exhibits and Rosters which would have immediately released police for operational duties. Instead they have used the money for positions in the Intelligence Group and Forensics.

Whilst the Association agrees more resources could be used in these areas, funds for civiliansiation should not be used.

The Police Service has further indicated that only 200 positions would be created instead of the promised 350.

It has become clear that the Commissioner of Police intends to use the millions of dollars for civilianisation in order to prop up ailing areas that have been neglected by the Police Service's own mismanagement.

This means that not one police officer has been nor will be returned to operational policing duties despite the promises made, which is extraordinary in view of the police officer shortages in areas such as Cabramatta and Bankstown.

Greg O'Donohue, Senior Industrial Officer of the Public Service Association, said "this current situation is appalling $1.1 million was allocated to the Police Service in June last year in order to put police back on the streets yet 9 months later not one position has been civilianised. To make matters worse the Police Service now intends to use the money in areas that will not see one police officer returned to operational duties.

Mr O'Donohue added "The figures provided by the Police Service also appears to be a little rubbery as they are approximately $9 million dollars short of employing the full 350 positions as promised. It is about time the Minister for Police stepped in and directed the Commissioner to utilise the funds as intended".

"In anticipation of the rosters and exhibits positions being civilianised our members have been willing to work in these areas without recognition or appropriate remuneration. However in view of this latest outcome our members will be today notified of total work bans in the areas of Rosters and Exhibits".

For further information

Contact:	Greg O'Donohue, PSA Snr Industrial Officer
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	9220 0947
Email:	godonohue@psa.asn.au
WWW:	http://psa.labor.net.au/

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