Industrial action leads to tense incident at Geelong police station

Police industrial action appears to be causing tension in the Geelong force with local cops spoken to after an incident which allegedly reduced officers to tears.

A source claims officers were “shamed” by Geelong cops amid industrial action. Picture: Mitch Bear

Industrial action to end a long-running pay dispute appears to be causing tension at Geelong police station, with local cops spoken to following an incident which allegedly reduced officers to tears.

Police are currently taking industrial action to fight for better pay and working conditions.

Part of this includes members stopping working voluntary duties, which are extra shifts at a higher pay that are typically used to patrol sporting, social or music events.

A source claimed officers were clocking into their voluntary duties on Wednesday for the Geelong Cup when they were allegedly shamed by senior members for performing the shift.

The anonymous source claimed officers were being “bullied” by other members of the local force.

It’s understood Police Association Victoria brochures about the industrial action were placed on the locker of a member who performed voluntary duties.

The source claimed the behaviour caused “great pain and suffering”, reduced some cops to tears in the change room and members were then hesitant to continue their shifts.

It’s understood a senior officer also read out names of members partaking in voluntary duties over the station’s loud speaker, which the source claimed was intended to shame them.

A Victoria Police spokesman said it had not received an official complaint regarding the matter but confirmed local command has spoken with the members involved.

“Victoria Police respects the right of its members to choose whether they take part in protected industrial action, including the ban on voluntary duties,” the spokesman said.

“Communication has been reinforced across the broader police area, including the Geelong police station.”

A Police Association Victoria spokesman said it did not encourage members to openly challenge others about workplace participation in industrial bans.

“However, understandably, we strongly encourage participation in industrial action that we organise as a means for members to support their colleagues,” the spokesman said.

“Workers challenging workers who break industrial bans is not a new or unique occurrence in any industry.

“That said, a better approach than targeting non-compliance is to encourage your colleagues to recognise the universal benefits that flow from self-sacrifice and solidarity for collective gain.”

The current police workplace agreement expired in November last year which prompted officers to take industrial action.

Originally published as Industrial action leads to tense incident at Geelong police station