July 2000 Volume 81 Number 7 "serving the protectors"

POLICE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

The Police Association is pleased to report its current membership rate of over 99 per cent. In the belief that individual commitment is preferable, the association has never advocated a compulsory membership policy.

However, some of the membership resents - to an extent - the small number of non-members. They feel the hard-won salary and conditions benefits should be afforded only to financial association members and not those who "reap the benefits" without contributing.

While supporting one's right to choose, I hold non-members in contempt for accepting benefits obtained through others' contributions. I find extraordinary their willingness to take and not give.

Further, among the many association services is the legal defence scheme. Police officers not covered by the scheme leave themselves vulnerable to the high costs of litigation and private prosecution. This non-coverage also leaves those with whom they work exposed.

Even if non-members remain unconvinced philosophically about the merit of membership, their decision to forgo legal coverage is foolhardy in the extreme.

The association's high rate of membership is a source of great pride; an issue about which members can feel collectively positive. It enables the association to approach its future objectives with great confidence.


Peter Alexander
President

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