Koala call-outs: anger over animal ‘emergencies’ wasting cops’ time

Call outs to kangaroos on the road and koalas at train stations are among the jobs wasting cops’ time. A new plan will see them focus on fighting crime.

Police will attend fewer animal complaints and parking disputes, after one of the state’s top cops declared “mission creep” is preventing officers focusing on crime.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that a high-powered task force – dubbed “Operation Omni” – has been working to overhaul day-to-day policing in a bid to cut non-critical work loads.

The changes have been sparked by chronic staffing shortages stretching police to breaking point, after experienced officers left the force in droves.

Police Link and the Police Assistance Line will be overhauled, to pass on certain jobs to other agencies.

Jobs on the chopping block include call-outs for animal complaints or parking disputes.

Some mental health call-outs could also be passed out of the hands of NSW Police and onto NSW Health or ambulance teams.

Police were forced to chase a koala around Casula railway station last month. Picture: Transport for NSW

Operation Omni is being led by Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, reporting to Commissioner Karen Webb.

In an interview, Mr Thurtell said that over time, “mission creep” has diluted police officers’ core work.

“A lot of people seem to think, if you’ve got something you want solved, you ring the police,” Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell told the Telegraph.

“It’s fair to say that over the years … there’s been mission creep of the NSW Police Force,” he said.

“We’ve provided a service to the community in areas that aren’t strictly law enforcement or community service.”

“I was out of Blacktown last week, and they said we just got a call for a kangaroo on the road, for police to respond,” Mr Thurtell said.

Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said NSW Police has been subject to “mission creep”. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“There’s nothing that police can do about a kangaroo on the road.”

Mr Thurtell said the animal complaints could be sent to council rangers, or Fire and Rescue NSW.

Last month, two police officers were forced to chase a koala around Casula railway station, after commuters spotted the animal walking around the platforms and stairways.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb informed staff of the changes earlier this month. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Last financial year, NSW Police were called to a total of 14,366 animal complaints (including calls which did require police investigation, like dog attacks).

NSW Police Association President Kevin Morton said that under the changes, Campbeltown Police Command were able to “hand back 30 jobs in one day” to other agencies.

“When you can get rid of that sort of a workload, you can concentrate on those genuine calls for assistance,” he said.

NSW Police Association President Kevin Moreton praised Commissioner Karen Webb for listening to his members. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Thurtell moved to reassure members of the public that their calls would still be answered, including by NSW Police if no other agencies are available.

Operation Omni has also halved the frequency of officers’ performance reviews – changing them from every six months to an annual exercise, to reduce red tape.

Meanwhile, Police commanders will no longer have to roster separate shifts for some prisoner court escort duties. Rather, commanders can use non-frontline staff, or decide to pay overtime.

The NSW Police Relief Pool has also been expanded, allowing officers on annual leave to fill in on empty shifts even outside of their usual police region.

The changes come after some Police Association members refused to do non-critical tasks because their stations were so short-staffed.

Mr Morton praised Ms Webb for listening to his members.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.