THE police union has renewed warnings of industrial action if calls for more officers in Wagga remain unanswered.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Describing Wagga as the most understaffed and overworked police command in the state, the NSW Police Association president Scott Weber demanded an immediate commitment from the state government to increase officers or they'll take industrial action at a meeting in Wagga on January 30.
Wagga’s union executive member Mick Connor has reissued the warning after negotiations to forge a First Response Agreement with the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) fell flat under the Baird Government’s announcement of 310 additional officers on Thursday.
But state member for Wagga Daryl Maguire clarified the specialist positions announced last week were independent of general duties officers stationed across each command.
The Wagga union branch has asked for an additional four sergeants and 28 constables, comprising three general duties sergeants, a detective sergeant (drug unit), 20 general duties constables, six detectives and two criminal investigation constable for three years.
Mr Connor expressed frustrations over operating under the same agreement since 1996 despite Wagga’s growth, but stated the command was operating “very close” to authorised strength, falling short by only a couple of officers.
“Time has moved on and there is still no word or commitment from the government,” he said.
“The situation is urgent and my members are becoming overextended.
“We are all suffering as a result of their apathy.”
Mr Connor pointed to the prevalence of drugs in Wagga, given its proximity to Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, as an underlying resource-intensive issue that compounded stress on officers.
“You cannot just address first response jobs without addressing underlying issues and that’s the drug situation in Wagga,” he said.
“This situation has been allowed to fester for three years.
“Police should not have to resort to industrial action to force the Government into doing the right thing.
Mr Connor praised his members for getting on with the job, while urging the government to consider NSW regions outside Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
“We’ll continue to fight for what we deserve and what the people of Wagga deserve and that’s police presence that meets the needs of our community,” he said.
Mr Maguire assured the issue remained on police minister Stuart Ayres’ agenda.
“The minister and I and staff are working on that issue,” he said.
The Wagga union branch will meet on Friday to discuss the implementation of immediate industrial action.
Mr Connor ruled out strikes, but listed working to time or not issuing fines as possible actions.