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Interim deal sees police win 2.5 per cent pay rise

The police union has negotiated an interim pay deal for officers, as well as part-time work arrangements and flexible and fixed rostering.

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Police officers will pocket an average 2.5 per cent pay rise under an interim wage deal struck between the union and State Government.

The interim offer also allows officers to work part-time, introduces flexible and fixed rostering options and will see civilians working in areas including prosecutions and the City Watch House.

The interim offer will also see the union support a user-pays system for police resources that will allow officers on leave or on days off to work for extra pay – relieving pressure on rostered police.

Police Association President Mark Carroll yesterday said negotiations with Commissioner Grant Stevens and the Government had resulted in an offer that “seeks to take the profession forward”.

“The parties have been negotiating in good faith and we have a fairly large agenda in relation to transforming some of our work practices to be far more flexible,’’ he said.

“We want to use people in a different way. Such as if we have people on long term absences, such as parental leave, there will be access for them if they maintain their operational status to fill in on ad hoc shifts on a needs basis.

“An officer in that situation may want to do just one or two shifts a week and that would provide a pool of people for SAPOL to utiliZe without having to recruit more staff.

“There are a number of reform matters we will be working through to deliver a transformational workforce. This will give the police commissioner the ability to use the existing trained resources in a different way.’’

Police Association of SA (PASA) president Mark Carroll.
Police Association of SA (PASA) president Mark Carroll.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.

Mr Stevens said the interim arrangement “paves the way for a fresh approach to ensure a more efficient policing service delivery to the community”.

“It takes into consideration the benefits of more innovative, contemporary flexible working arrangements for police officers and makes those flexible arrangements far more accessible to those police officers who wish to take advantage of them,’’ he said.

“It includes a number of key initiatives focusing on the potential civilianisation of some areas not requiring operational police. This ensures that we are able to have the right people in the right job at the right time.’’

The current pay and conditions deal, although expired, remains in force until a new agreement is negotiated.

Under the new interim offer the pay rises will be backdated to July last year. The increases will take a Constable on the base rate of pay to $70,249 a year, a Senior Constable to $84,053, a Sergeant to $101,958, a Senior Sergeant to $114,354, an Inspector to $141,215 and a Superintendent to $160,282.

A key agreement will see increased use of civilians in the police prosecutions section when sworn officers cannot be attracted and a trial will be conducted under which protective security officers will perform cell guard duties at the City Watch House.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/interim-deal-sees-police-win-25-per-cent-pay-rise/news-story/381904d711a9411fb3f355db89b098cb