July 1999 Volume 80 Number 7 "serving the protectors"
Industrial Front
By Mark Carroll  markcarroll@pasa.asn.au  Assistant Secretary

LSA Investigation Units

Since the commencement of the LSA concept, the Police Association has received member complaints - along with anecdotal evidence - regarding the alleged inefficiencies of the new concept, formerly known as the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). Generally, the comments are supportive of the new system, as it appears on paper, however, the realities are allegedly quite different. Problems allegedly manifesting include:

Staffing Shortages:

Due to a lack of staff within the individual LSA investigation units, members complain that response/investigation and tactical sections are not operating efficiently. Examples include only two investigation teams instead of three; members from investigation sections being placed onto the response section on an ad hoc basis; and tactical unit members being forced to fill shortages. All in all, the concept as it appears on paper is not being delivered. Investigations take longer to complete and members are genuinely concerned that the standard of investigations is suffering. Consequently, court cases may be lost as a result.

Higher Duties:

Uniform members within the investigation units are allegedly performing duties (investigations) not envisaged when the concept was written on paper. Anecdotes from members suggest that investigations which were once performed by detectives are being assigned to uniform members who, under the old system, would not have been officers in charge of serious investigations. If these allegations are true, there is an argument for a higher-duty allowance to be paid for those uniform officers performing such tasks.

Plain Clothes Allowance:

Uniform members are performing their duties in plain clothes and not receiving (or claiming) the daily plain-clothes allowance. Many members have told me that if they do, managers allegedly force them to wear uniform. The answer to this is very simple. If you are required to perform your duty in plain clothes, you are entitled to the plain-clothes allowance.

Out of Pocket Expenses:

Clause 8 of the Police Officers Award states: “all operational Criminal Investigation Branch Officers shall be paid an annual allowance for out-of-pocket expenses.” The amounts are $1939 for Drug Squad members and $653 for other CIB units, Anti Corruption Branch and Operations Intelligence Section. There is an argument that all members attached to investigation units should receive this allowance. This matter is currently being pursued by PASA with SAPOL.

What’s the Association Doing?

These issues have been raised with SAPOL generically. However, you will notice that the term “allegedly” has been used throughout this column. If these issues are to be progressed successfully then members aggrieved need to provide evidence to PASA. It is impossible to negotiate the resolution of a grievance if there isn’t one!

PASA understands that members are reluctant to come forward because they perceive it may adversely impact on their “career”, but as has been stated ad infinitum in this column, the entitlements under the award are legally binding and enforceable.

It is time to move your complaints out of the meal room and onto paper, either directly to PASA or via your workplace delegate. I am confident that many issues can be resolved with direct negotiation with SAPOL.

The staffing shortages continue to be raised with Government, and examples of less-than-satisfactory service delivery are communicated to the Police Minister. You have all heard that SAPOL is “working smarter”, but the level of alleged dissatisfaction within the investigation units and lack of morale among officers is at odds with this statement. The challenge to those who make these allegations is to prove it.

Women’s Plan

The Police Association of South Australia Women’s Plan has been inserted in this issue of the Police Journal. PASA’s committee of management has adopted this plan, and the recommendations will assist in subsequent enterprise bargaining negotiations.

Branches

This year’s annual delegates’ conference will be held on October 19 and 20. All PASA branches should be holding meetings to develop motions for debate at the conference. Any motions carried will be binding on the committee and referred to the next meeting of committee for attention. Any motions to be put to the meeting should be communicated to the secretary 28 days in advance.

PASAweb   Index & Search   Top of Page   Comments   Email to Editor

The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 1999  The Police Association of South Australia sustance