Improper Associations policy unworkable

On 25 February 2008, representatives from The Police Association met with Deputy Commissioner Walshe and Assistant Commissioner Cornelius over plans to implement a policy regarding “Improper Associations” involving members.

At that meeting The Police Association raised objections to the proposal, citing the unfair, draconian and restrictive nature of the proposed policy, and the fact that it was an intelligence gathering tool for ESD. We also pointed out that the proposed policy included family members and a spouse or partner of a member.

The stated position of The Police Association was that if this was an emerging issue, it was one that required education and not a policy that demands a member inform the Chief Commissioner that their son, daughter, spouse, sibling or parent has a recent prior conviction.  

We pointed to the Force’s own “Corporate Improvement Anti-Corruption Strategy” which the Association supported but which was not implemented by the Force as the appropriate educative tool. Appropriate disciplinary measures are already available for the Force to deal with deliberate criminal associations by members.  

These details were spelled out in written correspondence to Deputy Commissioner Walshe, on 27 February 2008, together with our view that the proposed policy offends several sections of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.    To date, we have not received any reply to that correspondence, which members are encouraged to view in the ‘Members Only’ section of the website, at www.tpav.org.au or by clicking HERE.

The Police Association will continue to attempt to negotiate with the Force over what is, in its current form, a clearly unworkable policy.

Greg Davies

Discipline/Legal Manager