Over 200 people from the City of Greater Geelong, Queenscliff Borough and Surf Coast Shire, gathered at a public meeting yesterday to express their concern at the poor state of police numbers in their communities.
The meeting, which comprised of Association members, community leaders, concerned residents and local business people, heard from several passionate speakers on this issue before carrying the following resolutions;
"THE COMMUNITY STANDS BY THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY STATIONED AT POLICE STATIONS LOCATED IN GREATER GEELONG, QUEENSCLIFF BOROUGH AND SURF COAST AND SUPPORTS THESE OFFICERS DURING THE CURRENT CRISIS OF RESOURCING SHORTFALLS AT THEIR STATIONS."
"THAT THIS MEETING NOTES THE BRACKS GOVERNMENT IN ITS CURRENT TERM HAS ONLY DELIVERED A NET ADDITIONAL 230 POLICE OFFICERS. THIS MEETING THEREFORE CALLS ON THE BRACKS LABOR GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL ITS 2002 PRE-ELECTION COMMITMENT OF DELIVERING A NET ADDITIONAL 600 POLICE OFFICERS."
"THAT THIS MEETING NOTES THAT POLICE STATIONS IN GREATER GEELONG AND SURF COAST ARE UNDER-RESOURCED BY AT LEAST 76 POLICE OFFICERS. WE THEREFORE REQUEST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VICTORIA POLICE FORCE ACCORDINGLY INCREASES STATION PROFILES IN GREATER GEELONG, QUEENSCLIFF BOROUGH AND SURF COAST. WE REQUEST THAT A REASONABLE INCREASE AND ALLOCATION OF MEMBERS BE ACTIONED WITHIN 28 DAYS".
"THIS MEETING URGENTLY CALLS ON THE VICTORIA POLICE FORCE TO CONTINUE, AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POLICE ASSOCIATION TO ESTABLISH A RESOURCE ALLOCATION MODEL THAT WOULD DELIVER PROPER LEVELS OF RESOURCES TO ALL VICTORIAN COMMUNITIES, INCLUDIING GREATER GEELONG, QUEENSCLIFF BOROUGH AND SURF COAST".
"THAT THE POLICE ASSOCIATION, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITIES OF GREATER GEELONG, QUEENSCLIFF BOROUGH AND SURF COAST WRITE TO RELEVANT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ON THESE RESOLUTIONS AND THAT THE MATTER BE TAKEN UP WITH THE MINISTER FOR POLICE, THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE RESPECTIVE MAYORS OF THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG AND SURF COAST SHIRE."
"THAT THIS MEETING NOTES WITH OUTRAGE ON AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BASIS, THE PROVIDING OF A POLICING SERVICE IN GREATER GEELONG, SURF COAST AND QUEENSCLIFF BOROUGH, OF MEMBERS WORKING ALONE, AND FURTHER, THAT THIS ISSUE BE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE POLICE ASSOCIATION IN MEETINGS WITH THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT".
"THAT THE GEELONG, SURF COAST AND QUEENSCLIFF COMMUNITIES CALL ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO COMMIT TO THE CONTINUATION OF FUNDING, STRENGTHENING AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES, LOCAL SAFETY COMMITTEES, NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH AND POLICE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND THAT OUR LOCAL STATE PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENATIVIES PROVIDE THEIR SUPPORT TO THIS."
"THAT THIS MEETING CONSIDERS CONVENING A GROUP, SIMIILAR TO THE WYNDHAM ACTION GROUP, TO TAKE UP A PETITION IN AND AROUND THE COMMUNITY FOR DEVLIVERY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT."
Having regard to these resolutions, the Association will continue to vigorously pursue this matter with the Chief Commissioner and the Police Minister.
Paul Mullett
Secretary
