Police Union poll: rift grows between officers and managers over understaffing in Gold Coast north

THE police union elections have caused massive rift between senior management and officers after putting a spotlight on understaffing in the Gold Coast’s fast growing northern suburbs.

THE police union elections are causing a big rift between senior management and officers after putting a spotlight on understaffing in the Gold Coast’s fast-growing northern suburbs.

Union candidate Andy Williams, who will stand for the ballot closing today, has sparked a furore with a poster which promises he would not be a “ghost on the Coast”.

His campaign promises include “more resources for Nerang and Coomera”, a pledge to reinstate the Coomera police district and to fight for an additional station between Beenleigh and Coomera.

The union since late last year has been campaigning for an extra 50 officers in the north to help officers who were unable to keep up with calls for service.

“I will be part of a united Executive. I am not doing deals for a post retirement union job,” he wrote on his poster.

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Police on patrol in Surfers Paradise. Picture Glenn Hampson.

“I am not a mate of senior management. I don’t do deals that leave members exposed.”

Police Union president Ian Leavers had called for the return of the Coomera Police District after the service was restructured into five mega regions and it was abolished in 2013 by Commissioner Ian Stewart.

A police source told the Bulletin: “That poster has certainly ruffled some feathers down here.

“I think it’s a case of maybe it hits a little too close to home for them.”

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Police at the scene of a bikie related shooting in Upper Coomera. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Another police source said management was questioning some of credentials of other candidates standing for the poll.

“There has been many months of infighting and issues with the union,” the source said.

The decision late last week to pursue action against Senior Constable James Treanor, who has been a union representative, had only worsened relations between members and their senior managers.

Senior Constable Treanor at a Queensland Industrial Relations Commission hearing earlier in the week sought to have the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Superintendent added to his bullying claim after an incident fat the Broadbeach Bowls Club in late March.

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Police at an Upper Coomera crime scene. Picture Glenn Hampson.

In the club car park after the March mental health breakfast, Sen Const. Treanor allegedly asked Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins if help was available to all officers. Following a short discussion, Sen-Const. Treanor went into the car park and allegedly yelled about “blowing his brains out” and swore loudly. Sen-Const. Treanor claims he had reacted after the top cop called him a “smart arse”.

A police source told the Bulletin: “It’s petty. It’s caused a major rift between the rank and file and senior management. Most of them are questioning the timing of the charge.”

Other police told the Bulletin about a “massive culture of bullying down here” where grievances were written off by investigators.

“Who knows if they make it to the Ethical Standards Command. There is clearly a culture of favouritism around the place,” the source said.