A PARLIAMENTARY committee has exposed concerns about police staffing levels on the Mid-North Coast.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Police and Emergency Services, Sport and Recreation Standing Committee questioned NSW Police Minister Stuart Ayers on August 20 regarding his commitment to have 30 new police in the northern region by December.
Mr Ayers’ predecessor, Mike Gallacher, announced on November 20, 2013, the northern region would receive 90 additional police by May 2015.
Five new officers were announced for the Mid-North Coast on May 1, by Superintendent Paul Fehon.
About 30 of the overall number have already started at their new LACs in 2014, with the allocation also including 30 officers starting by December, 2014 and the remainder commencing next year.
Mr Ayers said he was still confident the 60 officers would start by May, but he couldn’t confirm if 30 of those would be in place by December. When asked for confirmation by Steve Whan, Hansard recorded Mr Ayers as saying, “I can take that on notice.”
The Police Association’s executive member for the north coast, Brett Henderson-Smith, said the minister’s refusal to commit is very concerning.
“The minister was given an opportunity to confirm the government’s commitment, and he refused,” Mr Henderson-Smith said. “We’re concerned that Minister Ayres had the opportunity, and didn’t do it.”
The need for extra officers was determined in a 2013 review by Assistant Commissioner Jeff Loy.
But deputy premier, and Oxley MP, Andrew Stoner said his government would deliver.
“We have promised to increase police resources by up to 90 additional police officers for Northern Region Local Area Commands and I intend to see this commitment delivered,” Mr Stoner said yesterday. Mr Ayers will visit this Friday.