NSW Police: 1487 on extended sick leave, workers compensation leave
Under pressure police districts are grappling with a spike in the number of officers on extended sick leave, as new figures reveal a huge number of cops out on worker’s compensation claims.
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NSW Police are grappling to manage the skyrocketing number of officers on extended sick leave and long-term workers compensation leave, as it can be revealed one in every 11 coppers aren’t on the beat.
Shock figures have revealed 1487 police officers and 89 administrative officers are currently away from their duties on long-term sick leave.
This masthead can reveal 1328 sworn officers are on long-term leave as a result of workers compensation claims.
Extended sick leave figures inside the ranks of NSW Police have increased by more than 300 officers since July last year, and include 71 commissioned officers who serve in ranks of inspector or higher.
The statistics come as NSW Police face ongoing pressure to respond to a crime wave gripping many parts of the state including an increase in youth offending in regional communities.
The state opposition says the figures were alarming, and has called for more support to retain officers in their roles.
“The number of police officers on leave will see greater workloads for those on duty and will cause even further burn out for those left to do the job,” NSW Opposition police spokesman Paul Toole said.
“The minister needs to further incentivise police, especially when it comes to the retention of experienced and well trained officers across the state.”
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said “staffing levels across police command districts can “fluctuate on a daily basis” and resources are “deployed to ensure policing demands are met”.
She said overtime can also be used to address temporary shortfalls in staffing with figures showing a 5.2 per cent increase in the number of overtime hours taken between 2022 to 2023.
NSW Police figures also revealed there has been a steady annual increase in the number of psychological workers compensation claims from police – almost doubling from 753 to 1337 over the last five years.
The most prevalent causes of psychological injuries were exposure to traumatic events, occupational violence, work related mental stress, workplace related bullying and harassment and work pressure.
Ms Catley said police have programs to provide psychological and physical support to officers, including the PULSE program which links officers with specialists such as mental health clinicians and conditioning coaches
She said sick leave was “one avenue of support to assist officers who need it”.
“Policing is an incredibly tough job (and) officers see and experience things every day that most of us never would in a lifetime,” she said.
“I want to assure the community that where there’s a need, police will respond.”
The figures come as the NSW Police continues a statewide recruitment blitz to attract more front line police to the force.
Last year, 658 police officers were recruited to the force. The figure, however, was outstripped two-fold by 1,445 police officers leaving the profession.
Meanwhile, the latest round of the NSW Police Operational Disengagement Scheme (ODS) system was forced back to square one after 56 officers were accidentally granted early access to the application process.
“It was identified that, due to a system issue, applicants appear to have had access to the ODS system prior to the 9am opening of the round,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Dean Smith said in a letter to officers. “It has been determined that the fairest and most transparent way to address the issue is to cease all activities associated with the original round three process.
“Round three is null and void.”
A representative of Police Minister Yasmin Catley told parliament officers having early access “was a system fault, not the fault of individuals”.
“The relaunch of round three will include amendments and instruction regarding the completion of the application process, in addition to a technological solution preventing early system access.|”
NSW Police, in a statement, said policing is a “confronting, high-risk, contact occupation” however there are “multiple avenues of support available to officers and civilian staff.”
“At any given time across the organisation police and civilian staff are away from work for various reasons including illness, maternity and paternity leave, family support, injury, training and special operations,” a spokeswoman said.
“NSW Police regularly review resourcing and allocation of police officers according to operational needs and we will continue to ensure communities are served and supported by their local officers.”
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