The third in the current series of issues, raised by the Chief Commissioner for consideration by Government, in their deliberations over a replacement for the Police Regulation Act 1958, IS THAT OF COMPULSORY TRANSFER.
This proposal would enable the Chief Commissioner to compulsorily transfer any member to any location across the State, for the ‘good of the force.’
In other words, the implementation of this proposal means that the Chief Commissioner would be able to transfer you to any vacancy in Victoria, at any time.
In Newsletter Number 34/05 we raised the proposal of the Chief Commissioner to remove full appeal rights against transfer and promotion.
The implications of such a power, coupled with this proposal for compulsory transfers, reach beyond the individual member. The wider implications of this proposed power impact on members’ families – a spouse’s employment, children’s schools, mortgages, and the list goes on and on.
The questions raised by the Association in relation to this proposed power include:
"How would the Chief Commissioner decide who would suffer the least detriment in selecting a member for such a transfer?
What regard will be paid to individual circumstances, and could a member’s circumstances ever be seen to outweigh the requirements of the force?"
The Association is scheduling urgent meetings with members across the State to provide you with an opportunity to hear about the proposed changes and how they will affect you and your family. Your views will be taken to Government
The Association is determined to resist these offensive changes proposed by the Chief Commissioner and the Government, many of which would see our members treated as second class citizens.
PAUL MULLETT
Secretary
