October 2002 Volume 83 November 11
"serving the protectors"
| October 2002 Volume 83 November 11 "serving the protectors" |
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| By Mark Carroll, PASA Assistant Secretary |
Plain clothes allowance option – pregnant members
The Commissioner of Police has offered pregnant members the opportunity to receive the daily plain-clothes allowance as an up-front payment. This will be progressed outside of enterprise bargaining as an administrative instruction that will enable pregnant police officers attached to uniform areas – who currently receive the Police Officers Award clause 9 A (c) daily plain-clothing allowance after the third month of pregnancy – an option of receiving a lump-sum payment of $407.55 in lieu of that daily allowance.
This has been introduced on a cost-neutral basis. The following conditions also apply:
- An applicant for the lump-sum payment is required to indicate the proposed date of ceasing work.
- The payment of $407.55 reflects the daily amount for a period of four-and-a-half months.
- Members continuing to work during the final six weeks of pregnancy may apply for the daily plain-clothing allowance for each working day, as currently applies.
- Members will not be required to reimburse the lump-sum payment during unplanned absences or in the event that the pregnancy is terminated or if the confinement date occurs earlier than originally anticipated.
This payment will assist members in purchasing plain clothes to wear to work during the months leading up to the date of confinement.
The Police Association is pleased that the Commissioner of Police has introduced this option.
Out-of-pocket expenses
As a result of the recent disputation regarding Operations Avatar and Mantle, the Commissioner of Police – as part of the resolution – has extended the out-of-pocket allowance to approximately 100 members performing duties in tactical units under the control of LSA CIBs or Crime Service Investigation Branches, including Mantle, Avatar, Counteract and Vice and Gaming. The allowance of $653, vide clause 8 of the Police Officers Award, will be made as an over-award payment.
The allowance has traditionally been paid to members holding substantive positions within the CIB. The extension to those constables and other ranks working in tactical units is a welcome initiative.
Other outcomes achieved as a result of these disputes include:
- SAPOL will undertake a review of the duties of the sergeant in charge of a Mantle unit after a period of six months to consider whether those duties warrant alignment with the skills associated with those of a detective sergeant.
- Six additional detective-sergeant positions to be placed in metropolitan LSA CIB to be filled vide the Police Act and regulations, under which members transferred to Avatar can be drawn.
Country housing
The country housing sub-committee, consisting of country delegates, has been reformed to address housing issues, including standards, location and rental charges.
In-roads have been achieved in that the association now has representation at Real Estate Management (REM) as to the allocation of government-provided housing to PASA members. An ongoing review will continue by the association and REM to improve the standard of housing. The association’s member liaison officer, Mr Tom Scheffler, will represent the association on the Public Employee Housing Committee with the PASA treasurer, Mr Michael Standing, as his proxy.
Members with concerns about country housing should contact Tom at the association office.
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