23 April - The Police Association Victoria

Leave embargo an insult to members

Today, The Police Association met with more than 100 TMU, RTTU, TDAS and RSTF members to discuss the proposed ban on leave during Christmas, New Year and Easter periods.

The Association has received a high level of response from members affected by the proposed leave embargo and today, had an opportunity to gain further insight into members’ views on this issue.

Following today’s meeting, our mandate is clear – we will not allow Force Command to impose its ill-conceived leave embargo on members.

The proposed leave embargo is yet another attempt from the Force to paper over vast resourcing cracks; to create the illusion to the public that there is a sufficient police presence.

Sadly, Force Command has elected to do this at the expense of members’ rights.

If our traffic units were resourced adequately, the Force would not have to resort to such drastic measures as imposing a blanket ban on leave – road safety is a priority all year round, not just during the holiday season.

The proposed leave embargo is an insult to members and another example of the Force’s continued over-governance and mistrust of members.

TMU, RTTU, TDAS and TSTF members have always managed their rosters to respond to increased activity on the roads during peak periods. The proposed leave embargo demonstrates the Force’s lack of faith in members to continue to do this - it is an affront to our members and a slight on their dedication to keeping our roads safe.

There is no doubt that this is the thin edge of the wedge. What today is an unfair leave embargo imposed on our traffic members could tomorrow be a policy implemented throughout the entire force.

As such, members today unanimously passed a number of motions (listed below) that we trust will also have the support of the wider membership.

Bruce McKenzie

Assistant Secretary

Motions carried unanimously at meeting of TMU, TDAS, RTTU and RSTF members

Wednesday 23 April 2008

1. “THAT THIS MEETING CONDEMNS THE PROPOSED LEAVE EMBARGO AS AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THE LACK OF RESOURCES BEING SUFFERED BY TMU, RTTU, TDAS AND RSTF MEMBERS. THE PROPOSAL CONTAINS NO DETAILS OR EVIDENCE YET WILL DAMAGE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS MEETING RESOLVES THAT SHOULD THE VICTORIA POLICE FORCE MANAGEMENT ATTEMPT TO IMPLEMENT THIS EMBARGO, TMU, RTTU, TDAS AND RSTF MEMBERS SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR DISCRETION IN RELATION TO ISSUING PENALTY NOTICES AND CONSIDER OPTIONS INCLUDING WARNINGS AND PROCEEDING BY SUMMONS.”

2. “THAT THIS MEETING RESOLVES THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THIS ACTION BY EXERCISING THEIR DISCRETION IN RELATION TO THE ISSUE OF PENALTY NOTICES.”

3. “THAT THIS MEETING DIRECTS THE POLICE ASSOCIATION TO CONDUCT A SPECIFIC AUDIT OF STAFFING LEVELS AND RESOURCES WITHIN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT UNITS.”

4. “THAT THIS MEETING CONDEMN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER LAY FOR HIS FAILURE TO CONSULT AND RESTRICTING ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING TO ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH UNIT.”