Field officer’s report
The Association
from the inside
On the Ground
During the June edition of the NT Police News, I
addressed some general issues affecting members
in the field. There are, of course, a multitude
of issues we could discuss (depending on which
section you are in), but I like to focus on those
that continually raise their head.
Before I touch on these individually, I just want to
thank those members who contributed to the 2013
Annual Conference via their delegates and Executive
members who each outlined current issues within their
regions. Aside from local matters, not surprisingly there
are common topics within the regions that tend to be
discussed on a regular basis.
Discipline
It would be a fair understatement to say my feet
have barely touched the ground in recent months as
the climate surrounding discipline matters intensifies.
As the field contact for members, this has resulted
in a significant increase in my workload as members
require assistance in the short and long term for various
industrial and discipline issues.
The welfare of members who find themselves under
investigation is one issue that has come to my attention,
particularly in recent times. Once a member is notified
of an investigation, they are experiencing a sense of
abandonment from the department, and it this lack of
contact that is undoubtedly adding to the stress and
mental fatigue being experienced during this process.
It is important for members to remember you have
some extremely dedicated and enthusiastic delegates
within your regions, including members of the Executive.
I encourage any member who may be asked to
participate in a directed interview or is notified of a
discipline investigation to speak with your delegates but
as always, I hold your welfare as a priority and can be
contacted on 0418 330 688 anytime.
Resources
When I speak of resourcing, I speak primarily about
troops on seats. We can explore all the other aspects of
resourcing at a later date, however a lack of men and
women doing our core business is a problem here and now.
So what is our core business? Is it to ‘Serve and
Protect’? Is it as simple as Sir Robert Peel’s first of nine
principles of policing, that is ‘The basic mission for
8
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE NEWS
by Senior Constable 1/c Andreas Andreou
Executive Member Alex Brennan with Denise Goddard
and Joel Smith in Ali Curung
which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder’?
When you look at both of these interpretations, they are
really not that different and to successfully do both, you
need one thing, frontline capability, that is the ability to
respond when needed, and the ability to be proactive
within the community.
The department has committed to attracting members
remotely, with anticipated flow on effects to areas such
as Katherine, whose local roster suffers immensely at the
hands of relief requirements to bush stations.
What is also pleasing is a dedicated project to finally
address the under resourcing of our communications
centre. The dedicated members who work within
the JESCC are simply burnt out, tired of working
understrength every shift and rarely getting a break.
The department has committed to improving their
workplace, including the trial of civilian call takers, and it
is hoped this will boost retention rates in the long term.
This same burn out is evident amongst General Duties
members in DMC, Katherine and so on and is certainly
having an impact on morale within the workplace.
Undeniably, the strain of needing more capability is
written on member’s faces, and subsequently impacts
greatly on their wellbeing, both on and off duty.
Housing
This brief mention centres on a continual problem
relating to departmental provided accommodation.
To avoid dispute surrounding vacating premises, it is
important, no matter where you are moving into to,
to complete your own copy of the condition report
when you first move in. Take a bundle of photographs,
particularly of pre-existing wear and tear, and take a
copy of the report before handing it to Housing the next
business day.
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