Police Association NSW fight pay freeze with potential for boost to Riverina Police District numbers

The Upper House voted to shut down the government's push for a pay freeze on emergency service staff about three months ago, yet was overlooked as the dispute swapped hands to the Industrial Relations Commission.

The next court appearance is set for October 6 as the Police Association of NSW argue what they deem a "well deserved, modest" pay rise after a demanding year seeing many employees leave the force.

The association's president Tony King said while money wasn't the main motivator for members on the force, there needed to be some incentive.

"Members don't have pay at the front of their minds during normal duties or in emergency situations - their focus is keeping the community safe - but they are working long, hard hours and money plays a role in keeping people in jobs and in communities," he said.

The existing award agreement was applied in 2017 and expired in July this year, but Commissioner of NSW Police Mick Fuller is backing the government's stance on a 0 per cent increase, and no back pay should a raise result from the three-day hearing to come.

Mr King said the offer was "a kick in the guts", particularly to those in regional areas who have battled a brutal year.

"It's just wrong, we aren't seeking anything outrageous, just a modest raise," he said.

"The Riverina Police District in particular has been an example of the never ending work police do.

"First there was part of the command affected by mass bushfires, now our police are on the frontline of a COVID-19 response and being deployed to the border, with areas like this seeing a 30 per cent increase in their workload."

Understaffing in the Riverina Police District has long since been a topic of debate. While not commenting to the current pay freeze issue, NSW Police issued a statement saying boosting officer numbers was a priority.

"The NSW Police Force regularly reviews resourcing and allocation of officers according to operational needs," the statement read.

"The NSW Government has made a strong commitment to boosting police numbers over the next few years, which will directly benefit regional Police Districts and assist in creating safer communities in regional NSW."

Improved pay for police would have a flow-on effect to the rest of the community too, according to Mr King.

"Families do get affected by this line of work, police are sent all over the state to respond and are having to leave their loved ones to deal with things like childcare and other responsibilities," he said.

"They need to know it is financially worth it, and particularly for areas like Wagga now who have been made to travel a lot more recently."

Mr King said their was also a broader economic benefit to consider.

"More money in the pockets of police means more money will be spent in areas like Wagga, in a way it could be seen as its own stimulus package," he said.

"We just want the government to come to the bargaining table and sit down with us, make an offer and acknowledge that police have well and truly shown their worth this year more than any.

"Police work is unique and this year has definitely shown that, and our force continue to show their worth time and time again."