Premier Gladys Berejiklian provides multimillion-dollar cash injection to bolster police morale across NSW
PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian will pledge an extra $220 million for NSW Police and tell rank-and-file officers there’s “no higher calling” than the work they do today. The move comes after The Telegraph revealed thousands more officers were needed on the frontline.
NSW
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PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian is promising an extra $220 million for NSW policing as she pledges to rank-and-file officers today there’s “no higher calling” than the work they do.
In an address to the NSW Police Association Ms Berejiklian will say she knows she cannot be complacent in managing the challenges police face after claims thousands more officers were needed on the frontline.
The premier will announce a series of financial promises to bolster the police force, including major redevelopment of 14 police stations across the state, a massive investment in road policing and roadside drug testing, and a boost to police detecting extremists in jail.
It is understood she is currently working closely with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller in mapping out policing numbers for the future with an announcement to come.
“As premier, I have the deepest respect for the men and women of the NSW Police Force,” Ms Berejiklian will tell 200 officers from across the state today, saying she believes in “proactive” investment in policing.
Ms Berejiklian’s remarks today come after The Daily Telegraph revealed police believe they need at least another 2500 cops in coming years or the state could face an unprecedented “wave of violence”.
Mr Fuller has previously stated he has received an undertaking from the premier that she will create more policing positions once the restructure across the regions is complete.
Today’s announcements will form the key planks of a package in next month’s state Budget, which The Daily Telegraph understands will invest more in policing than in previous years.
It can also be revealed that the government will today announce:
■ $118.5 million to build six new police stations including Parramatta, Hurstville and Port Macquarie, and redevelop eight others, including Adelong, Bonalbo and Collarenebri.
■ $83 million for regional road enforcement, roadside alcohol testing and drug testing; and
■ $26 million for police to monitor prisoners and parolees who are considered a terror risk.
“I will continue to put police where and when they are needed to target, disrupt and prevent crime,” Mr Fuller said yesterday. “I want to ensure the community of NSW is not only safer every day, but that residents and visitors feel safe too.”
In today’s address, Ms Berejiklian will tell police she has the “deepest respect for the men and women of the NSW Police Force”.
“I know that so much of your work goes unseen. There is no higher calling than putting your own personal safety, your own life at risk for the safety of others,” she will say.
And Ms Berejiklian will say she believes there are clear results when governments invest proactively in police — having seen those results since 2011.
“Over the past two years, crime rates have dropped significantly across categories including stealing, robbery with weapons, breaking and entering and fraud,” she will say.
She will also say the state cannot “be complacent” with police resourcing.
“I understand the pressures on the police force will continue to grow in a changing and complex environment.
“Any threats and challenges you face will only continue to evolve and your vital role in protecting our communities will only become more important.”
The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed the police association had compiled a dossier revealing fears there were not enough officers to combat terror attacks, bikie gangs and child sex offenders.
PATHWAYS OPEN FOR NEW CLASS OF COPS
YOUNG indigenous people are being put on the path to becoming police officers through a groundbreaking TAFE recruitment program.
The 18-week indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery program gives young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders the opportunity to earn their Certificate III in Vocational and Study Pathways.
This sets them up with the skills they need to apply for the NSW Police Force.
Students are also given the opportunity to visit local police stations and the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn.
There they are put through their paces with other recruits and given a taste of life as a police officer.
The program was started by Peter Gibbs whose sister Fiona died in police custody in Brewarrina in 1997.
Mother-of-two Danni-Maree Giles, 22, travels to Mt Druitt from Liverpool to take part. She said that it allows her to kick career goals while also be there for her family.
“The program is very flexible around the kids,” she said. “I want to do them proud.”
Jessie-Lee Zaccan is another student at the Mt Druitt campus.
At just 19, she sees the program as an opportunity to connect with her Aboriginality. “Everything in the program is about being Aboriginal,” she said. “It’s given me the tools and confidence to feel worthy to become a police officer.”