Police Mobility
The issue of mobility for police officers continues to generate much debate.
The Police Federation of Australia seeks, for police officers, an internationally accepted accreditation system which will provide for increased mobility through initiatives such as mutual recognition of equivalent qualifications from other jurisdictions comparable with those of nursing, teaching and other occupations.
The recent fast-track recruitment of police officers from Britain and interstate has highlighted the need for PASA and SAPOL to address the issue in specific terms.
Negotiations have begun with the Commissioner concerning matters which include recognition of prior police service.
Other associated matters include:
Length of probation period.
Recognition of prior training and specialization.
Currently non-existent in SAPOL is any significant recognition of the qualifications and experience of police officers recruited from other jurisdictions.
It has long been considered appropriate to have a component of mobility in the recruitment policy, to gain what some have described as an infusion of skills and experience from other police services.
We have to achieve an equitable system for those recruited from other jurisdictions, and not one which is detrimental to our existing membership.
I am confident that that can be achieved.
Housing agreement
A new housing agreement has been finalized between the Government and Police Association.
The points of the agreement are:
A five-year housing rental agreement will operate from May 1, 2005.
A continuation of the use of market rates, as set by the Valuer-General, to be used as the basis for determining the maximum rental charge applied to housing rent.
Rent concessions on the market rate to be applied as:
100% for police employees in APY and Maralinga Lands and Yalata;
50% for police employees in separate housing; and
60% for police employees in attached (depot) housing.
Police officers occupying government housing before the 1998 agreement will continue to pay a flat rate of rental, adjusted annually, until rent level reaches concession rate applicable in point 3.
Annual rent reviews will be effective from the first full pay period after November 1, of each year for existing tenants, and immediately for tenants occupying between August 31 and October 31of that year.
For each annual review, a maximum increase or decrease of $10 per week will apply.
Furniture rental charges will be set for the 2005 year at an additional:
$16 per week for fully furnished houses; and
$8 per week for white goods only.
This amount may be reviewed on an annual basis with any amendments being notified by Public Employee Housing Advisory Committee prior to implementation.
Negotiable conditions can apply to police positions classified as hard-to-fill at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police or delegate in accordance with enterprise bargaining agreements.
The new agreement will, I am sure, give the necessary long-term certainty regarding rental determination for members occupying government housing.
