Police resources meeting on the peninsula

Yesterday, The Police Association joined local members, community leaders and residents in a public meeting to address the critical state of police resources on the Mornington Peninsula.

Local members, residents, business owners and local community leaders spoke of their concern for the safety of the peninsula and the urgent need to reallocate police back to where they’re most needed – on the frontline. It is unfortunate and telling that our invitation to the Police Minister to attend this meeting was not even acknowledged.

United with The Police Association in our commitment to take action, five motions were passed unanimously yesterday, marking another important step in tackling the resourcing crisis, not just for the Mornington Peninsula, but for several under-resourced stations across the state.

Those in attendance at yesterday’s meeting resolved to; 

§         support officers during the crisis of police number shortfalls;

§         demand that the government and the Victoria Police Force increase numbers as a matter of urgency;

§         note with outrage, the OH&S risks posed to members due to under-resourcing;

§         call on the Chief Commissioner to conduct a full audit of police resources;

§         request that the issue is raised and urgently addressed in parliament.  

The Police Association will continue to work with members and communities to ensure that adequate police resources are restored.

Excessive hours in the AIRC

As we had previously advised, The Police Association yesterday appeared before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on the matter of the excessive hours.

In conciliation, the Commission recommended that The Police Association and the Victoria Police Force continue to discuss the matter for the next two weeks to seek resolution on two main issues;

§         when the penalty should be paid;

§         the correct rate of payment where the penalty is accessed.

The parties will report back to the Commission on Wednesday, 27 February and the Association will keep members updated on the progress of this issue as it develops.

      Paul Mullett

      Secretary