Patrol officers are specialists

The role of the patrol officer is the key to policing. While the British bobby has been immortalized, there has historically been a tendency to see him, and all those who provide the front-end policing role, as “Officer Plod”. It is time again to raise the reality that the various roles of the patrol officer create a specialized position. Historically, this has never been more so.

At a time when the duties have been refined and increased in their complexities, police management still demeans those who do the task in many ways. The most basic way is the initial lack of training. It is curious that the selection processes for police would rival most occupations for selectivity. Then, in South Australia, we give them a six-month training course, to be followed by, in theory at least, 18 months’ work under a senior patrol officer. The notion that one can take in and then consolidate all that trainees are given in a one-off six-month period is ludicrous.

My feedback continues to be that the probationary training system is not working, owing to inexperience on the road. Probationers are supervising probationers and this is not what their contracts with SAPOL told them. It demeans them and the role of all patrol officers not to have proper, controlled and regulated supervision.

Even in the dim, dark ages when I hit the road, we had regular refresher courses. I appreciate that, in theory, there are ongoing training sessions at the LSA level, but I am yet to be convinced that they are regular enough to provide more than cursory introductory training.

There is no planned updating on issues from OHS&W to driver training and to dealing with mental-health clients. It can sound trite, but cars are updated and specifications changed and the first time officers get to test their capacity to drive at speed is an actual pursuit.

I argue not the nitty-gritty, but put the notion that, despite the massive added responsibilities of patrol duties over the past 10 years, the officers are not validated as being in a specialist field.

One of my colleagues – who has been off the road for only a few years – sought some on-road experience. It has been fascinating to see the array of training she has had to undertake to get back up to pace. It clearly reinforced the breadth of skills and knowledge required by police officers at the sharp end.

I am aware that there is a review of the initial training course being conducted, and I applaud that. However, I am unsure whether that training review will extend to the continuing training and education required to ensure that we do devalue patrol officers but ensure that they have the training to fully carry out their duties.

The review of senior sergeants is timely because of the increased responsibilities that many now have. The next enterprise bargaining process needs to consider the specialist positions of patrol officers. Those members who daily make decisions that have major, life-changing impact on individuals and families within the community they serve. The members deserve to be recognized and the public has a right to support and service from patrol officers, who are fully and competently trained and rewarded for the difficult job they do.

Equity and Diversity

Some readers contacted me with their personal experiences with the handling of equity and diversity processes within SAPOL. My thoughts have been reinforced. I have no doubt that individuals within the unit are keen and competent, but the processes are not clear enough to provide meaningful resolution in many cases.

As the policy and processes are reviewed, I will ensure that your feedback is provided through the Police Association’s submissions.