WAGGA police won’t issue fines under the first stage of their industrial action bid to receive more officers.
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The local branch of the union warned the state government last week they would take industrial action if their request for more officers was not met by 6pm last night.
Police Association Southern Region Executive Member Mick Connor said union members in the Wagga Local Area Command would not issue traffic or criminal infringement notices from 6pm last night until they receive a commitment from the state government.
Members will meet on March 26 to discuss further action if no announcement has been made before then.
“It’s breaking point for a lot of members,” Mr Connor said.
“The operational tempo in Wagga is well above even what busy city stations are.
“We need an injection of numbers so my members are safe and the community is safe.”
The call follows the union labelling Wagga as the most understaffed and overworked command in the state.
They’re calling for an additional three general duties sergeants, one detective sergeant (drug unit), 20 constables, six detectives and two constables in Criminal Investigation.
“We’re not doing this for our own benefit, we’re doing it for the community,” Mr Connor said.
“We’re actually stretched to the limit.
“We need help.”
Mr Connor pointed to minor traffic offences like not producing a license as incidents officers could choose to dismiss.
“Members are encouraged to use their discretion,” he said. “We don’t want people to get away with bad stuff.
“If officers want to take action, we’re encouraging them to use other forms of actions (court attendance notices) rather than infringement notices.
Mr Connor praised the support of state member for Wagga Daryl Maguire, but welcomed opposition leader Luke Foley’s weekend promise to boost police numbers by 480 officers, following his commitment to target understaffed areas like Wagga.
The union publicly spoke out on Premier Mike Baird’s $100 million funding announcement for high-tech police equipment and 310 new officers earlier this month, under the belief the government’s 2012 promise of 309 additional officers delivered only 129, leaving only an additional 130 officers this election.
“Luke Foley recognises that we need help,” Mr Connor said.
“I ask the (current) government to give us the same sort of assistance.”
Union members will stop industrial action when the police minister or premier provide an announcement.
“If we get a date of that solution, then we’ll call it off,” Mr Connor said.
“Community safety will not be compromised with any industrial action the Police Association takes.”