Candidate demands boost to local police numbers

Thursday, 25 November 2010 10:58

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

Nationals Candidate for the seat of Tamworth has today accused the State Labor Government of ignoring the need for more police in the Oxley Local Area Command and has called for immediate action to fix the problem.

Mr Anderson said that next month when 749 police graduate from the police academy in Goulburn, only three will be allocated to the Oxley Local Area Command which includes the two main centres of Tamworth and Gunnedah.

"The number of police being allocated to the Oxley Local Area Command is inadequate," Mr Anderson said. "It is appalling that with 749 police graduates in December, of these only three will add to police numbers in the Oxley Local Area Command."

"We are seeing a spike in break and enters and alcohol related crime and violence in the command area,’’ he said. ``I am concerned for our community and I am speaking up for police because they can’t speak out against the lack of numbers."

Mr Anderson said the reason Tamworth and Gunnedah - two of the State’s fastest growing regional centres – do not have the police resources they need is related to the Local Area Command’s "allocated numbers".

"Why are we being left behind with our police resources? The problem relates to our allocated numbers - as our community grows, our police force does not keep pace," Mr Anderson said.

"Tamworth's population grew by 4200 in the last 12 months and in December we are getting three new police. Are three police enough to look after 4200 more people living in the area? I don’t think so. Three new officers are very welcome but it is nowhere near enough."

"The people of our community expect a higher level of police presence to feel safe in their own community. People are afraid to walk the streets at night. I certainly would not walk around town late at night in the current environment."

Mr Anderson said the State Coalition has a plan to ensure more police are on the streets.

"Our plan is to free up numbers and have more police on the streets. We will conduct an audit of the allocated numbers and remove those on sick leave, holidays, stress, and maternity leave off the active roster list," he said.

"When police are away from active service we want to make sure that there are officers to fill the gaps, so our community is not disadvantaged and can still feel safe. This plan gives comfort to our community but also supports our local police."

Mr Anderson praised Oxley Local Area Command for constantly undertaking proactive police measures, like a temporary post in Coledale and Strike Force Strive.

"Police are doing a fantastic job under very trying conditions but they can’t do it to the best of their ability because of the pressure put on them to cover the losses. It is unfair to ask them to continually step up, they are working at beyond their capacity."