June 2001 Volume 82 Number 6
"serving the protectors"
| June 2001 Volume 82 Number 6 "serving the protectors" |
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| by Andy Dunn |
Good public policing a right, not a privilege
Some disturbing figures were quoted recently by Shadow Federal Justice Minister, Duncan Kerr, during his speech at the Police Club, featured in Private policing "the thin edge of the wedge". The Australian Bureau of Statistics has estimated that by the end of June 1999, the number of employees in the private security services industry had grown to 31,752, compared with the 43,048 sworn police officers on the public pay-roll.
Policing has been under-funded by governments for so long that it is hardly surprising that private security agencies are flourishing.
People quite naturally feel that they have a right to live in safety. And if the government fails them in maintaining adequate policing, then those with money will shop around for better service elsewhere.
However, it is not just individuals in wealthy neighbourhoods who are "going private". Our governments, both state and federal, have long been experimenting with "civilianization", and are even now looking to hive off more traditional policing functions to the private sector.
These are matters of vital public concern.
Before we go any further down this untried path, voters and taxpayers should consider very carefully all the risks and hidden costs involved in switching to private policing.
The public should remember that there is a vast difference between sworn police officers - who are trained to the highest standards and are at all times publicly accountable - and private security firms which may be here today and gone the next.
Good, properly funded policing - carried out by sworn officers, who are accountable to the public - should be the birthright of every citizen.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
A Vietnam veteran and expert on post-traumatic stress disorder, Mr Graeme Sutton, will address an Australian Institute of Emergency Services (SA division) dinner on June 18 at the Police Club, commencing at 7pm.
Sutton has worked extensively with the NSW Department of Community Services.
As so many police officers suffer from this much-misunderstood disorder, it is good that forums like this can promote some long-overdue public awareness.
PASA members and their partners or friends are invited to attend what is expected to be a very informative and interesting presentation, as well as to meet the institute's directors from other states.
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