NSW Police urged to save on fuel and use of cars amid cost of living pinch – but insist safety not at risk

An internal memo revealing officers from all commands are being urged to conserve fuel and use of police cars is “the sort of penny pinching that crooks will love”, Labor says.

The NSW Police Force is feeling the cost of living pinch. Picture: Monique Harmer

The NSW Police Force is feeling the cost of living pinch, with an internal memo revealing officers are being urged to conserve fuel and use of police cars – but senior cops are adamant it will not impact public safety.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos sent the memo last Friday, detailing the need for “all commands” to be aware of the “current global supply chain issues” around new and used cars.

According to the notice, the force currently has an “ageing fleet” which is causing bigger issues, and led Mr Pisanos to urge commands statewide to ensure they are not inappropriately using vehicles for private use and potentially costing taxpayers more.

“The ageing fleet together with record high fuel prices presents a financial risk to NSWPF,” Mr Pisanos, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Corporate Services, wrote in the memo.

“Inappropriate private use of fleet will impact Commands and Business units with excessive vehicle operating costs including fuel, vehicle servicing and repair costs, as well as additional accumulation of vehicle wear and tear, increasing end of lease costs.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos has asked cops to conserve fuel and reduce vehicle operating costs. Picture: John Appleyard

“It is timely to remind all Commands/Business Units to ensure strict compliance with NSWPF policy and procedures governing the use of motor vehicles to minimise the financial impacts on the organisation.”

The memo led to some within the police contacting The Daily Telegraph over concerns about the message it sent and how it may leave commanders in “two minds” about officers attending jobs, or to even send out on high-visibility patrols when things are quiet.

(File image) Some police officers are worried the memo discourages commanders from sending them out on jobs. Picture: Monique Harmer

That concern was also shared by newly appointed Labor Shadow Police Minister Paul Scully.

“While we always have to be conscious of the costs of service provision, this is the sort of penny pinching that crooks will love as it will likely mean fewer random patrols on suburban streets,” Mr Scully said.

“Police patrols shouldn’t be limited by petrol prices or delays in vehicle replacement because of overseas supply chain problems.”

But in a statement Mr Pisanos insisted there would be no impact to “operational policing or first response capability”.

Labor’s new shadow police minister Paul Scully flagged concerns criminals would love the “penny pinching”.

“NSW Police Force regularly reminds employees of the importance of complying with policy and procedures regarding various areas of the organisation.

“There has been no reduction in the number of police vehicles statewide, nor any impact on operational policing, or first response capability.”

A senior police source said they supported the memo and were not concerned about any impact to policing or the community, describing it as simply going to show cops face the same issues as wider society.

“To me, it was doing what a Deputy Commissioner of Corporate Services should be doing, and that is being fiscally responsible,” they said.

“Fuel has doubled, access to cars is harder than ever and we don’t have an endless budget, so it might have been stating the obvious, but it probably needed to be said.”