Drug contamination, defective cars: Shock state of AFP work conditions revealed

Drug contamination and defective cars are among 21 issues Australia’s only national police force needs urgently improved.

Exclusive: Defective police cars, a shortage of officers, inadequate IT systems and an “unconscionable” workers compensation system are all on the law and order election hit-list of the Australian Federal Police Association.

Drug contamination problems inside police workplaces, a lack of PPE which has left officers isolating in their cars and a workforce stretched to breaking point, are among dozens of issues hampering the work of Australia’s only national police force, according to the Association.

There is anecdotal evidence AFP cars have been left unregistered and with bald tyres. Picture: AFP

Operation Recognition is a 23-page election policy document, released by AFPA President Alex Caruana containing 21 demands for major overhauls.

They have also backed calls for a federal Anti-Corruption Commission which provides the same level of oversight to politicians and public servants as it would to AFP employees.

Mr Caruana says the AFP has been so badly run down, there is anecdotal evidence that police cars are not being maintained properly and left with bald tyres while some have had their vehicle registration lapse.

“When officers jump in a car to go chase a crook, they should not have to worry whether the cars are fit for duty,” he said.

Some AFP headquarters have had problems with drug contamination. Picture: supplied

The Association wants more cops on the ground – a workforce of 8500 by 2025, a removal of the efficiency dividend, a top-to-bottom review of the AFP’s operations from the types of phones the AFP use to the IT systems, including the newly-introduced work time-recording system which cost millions but is not fit for purpose.

The Federal Auditor General Grant Heir’s report last year into the AFP’s Use of Statutory Powers, revealed the AFP’s digital record keeping was so bad it was a “risk to the integrity of its operations”.

Auditor general Grant Hehir was critical of AFP information systems. Picture: AAP Mick Tsikas.

It found the AFP keeps 90 per cent of records on network drives that are not secure from unauthorised access, alteration or deletion.

The AFP ranked itself at the bottom of all government agencies — 156th out of 166 Australian government agencies for “information management maturity”.

Mr Caruana is seeking commitments from political candidates on all sides on the issues and then it will inform the 7000-strong AFP staff and their families and the wider policing community about each party’s position.

AFPA President Alex Caruana wants presumptive legislation for police with PTSD so they don’t have to fight tooth and nail for workers compensation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The AFPA wants presumptive legislation – which accepts AFP employees diagnosed with PTSD and psychological conditions, developed them as a result of their employment – instead employees have to “fight tooth and nail” to prove their injury is work related.

Comcare the AFP’s insurer which charges $42 million a year to care for cops hurt on duty has long been accused of aggravating their injuries with “adversarial, confrontational and deceitful behaviours”.

Brad Turner at his Brisbane home. – Picture: Richard Walker

Former officer Brad Turner has revealed when he was suicidal, he couldn’t get Comcare to fund a lifesaving treatment – because it was for depression and not considered a compensable condition of PTSD.

The AFPA also want a National Commissioner for First Responder Mental Health and Suicide and “blue card” for members the AFP similar to the Defence Force’s “white healthcare card”.

The former AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin warned Senate Estimates in 2018 budget cuts of $205 million could affect the agency’s operations.

In the March budget the AFP was given $AU142.2m across four years.

Originally published as Drug contamination, defective cars: Shock state of AFP work conditions revealed