Big shift to NSW police rosters as force gets more flexible
NSW Police officers on extended leave can pick up shifts through a relief pool designed to boost numbers in stations across the state and keep people feeling connected to their workforce.
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NSW Police officers on extended leave can pick up extra shifts through a relief pool designed to boost numbers in stations across the state and keep people feeling connected to their workforce.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the pool – that has been in place for the last six months – is one of many policies and actions focused on the welfare and retention of the state’s 14,000 officers and non-commissioned staff.
Officers on the ground have praised the scheme that allows them flexibility to choose extra work, in the form of a one-off shift, or regular series of shifts, which can include keeping up their training requirements, and in turn helps boost numbers in stations across the state.
“The idea is that if people are on extended leave, be it parental or some other extended leave, they can opt to fill shifts, do their weapons training, work a one-off or two a week, whatever suits their lifestyle,” one senior officer said.
“In some commands it can have the added benefit of providing extra support. It just gives that flexibility, which is great,” another said.
The relief pool works alongside dozens of initiatives that form part of the $79 million PULSE Program – the most significant investment in the health, safety and wellbeing of the entire NSW Police.
The program also includes police having access to 24-hour online support, psychiatrists and psychologists, chaplaincy, family support coordinators, nurses, dietitians and even fitness trainers.
Deputy Commissioner Dean Smith said the program focused on the entire workforce, “for staff at each stage of employment to improve retention, covering mental health, physical health, fitness and injury management, and flexibility in work”.
“One focus of PULSE is helping our officers remain connected to the workplace.
“For example, officers on leave can undertake extra shifts if they wish to complete mandatory training ahead of their return to work.
“By focusing on retaining the wealth of experience we already have in the NSW Police Force alongside our extensive work in recruiting new police, we are providing flexibility to our staff and supporting our organisation.”
The NSW Police Force doubled down on its commitment to better support its workforce through its program that now includes having 20 clinicians embedded in country and city stations across the state.
The Force is working to employ another eight clinicians in the coming months.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb recently told Police Association delegates that retention was the next frontier.
She said the Force had also established a careers advisory team to help police “move around the organisation and not outside of it”.
She said the Force had also launched the culture strategy with a focus on pride, respect and trust and an attention on leadership at all levels.
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