April 2000 Volume 81 Number 4 "serving the protectors"

Concern Over Trend

The rising trend of litigation against police officers acting in the execution of their duty is of serious concern to the Police Association.

Members should be aware that, irrespective of the Police Act’s indemnification provision for police officers “acting reasonably”, the Government has, in a number of recent cases, refused to provide legal funding. This, of course, places additional pressure on the association’s legal defence fund.

Of further concern is the Government policy not to provide legal assistance for police officers who become the victims of private criminal prosecutions. Even if able to successfully defend a charge in such circumstances, members have no right to reimbursement of legal costs. To make matters worse, the State Attorney-General does not have the power to intervene and withdraw private criminal prosecutions, even if that course of action is considered appropriate.

The association is currently engaged in negotiations with the Government regarding these issues. On behalf of the committee of management - which has to consider applications for legal defence - I can only encourage members to act with extreme care.


PETER ALEXANDER
President

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