The number of NSW Police officers applying to leave the force revealed
Senior NSW Police figures have revealed the number of officers seeking advice on payouts to leave the force, with fears of a “mass exodus”. See the figures here.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Senior figures inside NSW Police are fearful of a “mass exodus” of experienced officers — as it can be revealed thousands sought financial quotes for payouts to leave the force as part of the latest round of the Optional Disengagement Scheme.
NSW Police sources revealed exclusively to NewsLocal that more than 6000 officers — or close to 35 per cent of the force — sought financial advice for payouts.
A NSW Police spokesman initially declined to confirm the exact number of officers who had formally applied under the scheme, but NewsLocal believed the number could be as high as 2500.
A spokeswoman has since confirmed more than 700 had begun the application process.
“In the first round of the scheme last year, 219 officers left the organisation,” the spokesman said.
“This year, 704 applications were lodged, and it is anticipated a similar number to last year will be granted.”
“This scheme has been designed to ensure that our people transition out of the organisation with dignity and in good health. It also recognises that it’s increasingly common for people to have more than one career in their lifetime.”
Following the statement on Wednesday, NewsLocal again sought clarification on how the figures were collated by NSW Police; why the department was unable to provide the figures in a request an hour before a statement was issued statewide; when the current round of the scheme was opened and whether any officers had made applications before January 1, 2023.
On Thursday, a senior media officer once again said “The NSW Police Force is not in a position to make comment on the number of specific questions you raise in the email, as the second round of the ODS process is in progress and is not complete”.
“For the more specific questions you raise, you should complete a GIPA request,” she said.
“A statement was issued as figures quoted in media reports in relation to the NSW Police Force’s Optional Disengagement Scheme were incorrect”.
“Until this process is completed the NSW Police Force will not comment further.”
Despite the rejection of NSW Police representatives, senior sources inside the organisations continued to stand by the figures.
“I have never seen anything like it, it is crazy,” one senior NSW Police source said. “You have thousands of officers, vital to the operation of policing across this state, with one foot out the door.”
Another senior officer said experienced police were looking to “leave the force in their hundreds” to kickstart the next chapter in their lives, and using the Optional Disengagement Scheme to bankroll their future.
“Meanwhile, fresher officers with real skills are becoming disenfranchised after getting a taste of the reality of working for NSW Police,” he said. “Then you also have a swath of officers who are stuck with the golden handcuffs and are at the age of retirement and ready for a big payout.”
The golden handcuffs refers to a historic defined benefits scheme, which sees police officers able to contribute an additional nine per cent of their salary to a managed superannuation fund.
The scheme, for long-serving officers, provides additional payments contributed to their superannuation.
“This is a major hurdle for us to face, because it isn’t cheap to train recruits that end up leaving a few years later — but convincing people that saw NSW Police in a negative light during lockdowns to join the force is even more difficult.”
The senior figure also hit out at the “nepotistic promotion system” within NSW Police, which has seen “even really skilled people feeling like they don’t belong and won’t climb that ladder”.
Police Minister Paul Toole said the NSW Police Optional Disengagement Scheme was “an important initiative that allows officers who have served 10 or more years to exit with dignity and certainty”.
“The (government) last year announced more than $100 million in additional funding to help recruit, retain and better take care of the 22,000 members of the NSW Police Force throughout their career,” he said.
“It will see an additional $79 million invested over the next five years to roll out Pulse – a new program designed to better look after sworn and unsworn members’ physical and psychological wellbeing.
“It will see mental health clinicians embedded in stations and specialists commands across the State.”
The Minister said an additional $27 million will be invested in a new recruitment and retention fund to ensure the Force’s ongoing strength.
Join the conversation
Multicultural talents: 55+ players to watch at the Harmony Nines
The Harmony Nines showcases the best of multicultural rugby league across the juniors, mens and women's divisions. We take a look at the 55+ players to watch in this weekend’s event.
Read more
‘Vote Liberal, get Labor’: Critics slam council ‘coalition of chaos’
A newly elected Labor mayor – voted in with the Liberals’ support – has urged her colleagues to shed the “toxicity” that plagued the previous term. But critics have slammed the “unholy marriage”.
Read more