The Police Association is lobbying Force Command and the Government to enshrine a charter of rights for police members into legislation as a way of safeguarding our members’ basic rights.

As we have seen during the recent dispute regarding proposed changes to the Police Regulation Act, our members’ basic rights were to be eroded.

The Association considers it timely that a charter of rights for police officers should be legislated in any future amendments to the Police Regulation Act as the State Minister for Industrial Relations, Mr Hulls, is considering in adopting a bill of rights for workers in combating the Federal Government’s proposed IR reforms.

The following charter has been endorsed by the Executive, by delegates at a special meeting, and by the rank and file membership at several workplace meetings held during the past month. The Association’s proposed charter of rights for police members reads as follows;

The right to form an association and be represented publicly by an Association.

The right to bargain collectively.

The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The right to be suspended with pay until proven guilty in a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction and the conclusion of all legal appeals and processes.

The right to retain employment, with no loss of seniority, compensation, benefits or status, when the method of policing the community changes as a result of restructuring.

The right to retire with dignity after 25 years of service.

The right to a private life.

The right to privacy and protection of personal information, including personnel and employment records. Police officers should be afforded protection from the misuse of personal information.

The right to a healthy and safe workplace, including protective equipment for known and identifiable risks and the right to refuse unsafe work unless such work arises from an emergency situation where the lives of innocent persons are at risk and the risks cannot be mitigated.

The right to be protected from unlawful search and seizure.

The right to be politically active and engage, without reprisal, in our democratic system.

The right to be properly and fully accommodated in the workplace free of discrimination.

The right to a workplace conduct framework that fully complies with the rules of procedural fairness and natural justice.

The right to advancement and transfer on the proper assessment of merit.

The right to be properly resourced, funded and equipped to effectively discharge our duties.

The right to be supported by the State in any legal procedures arising out of the discharge of our duty.

Paul Mullett