Modern Policing for a Safer NSW

Law and order will be a pivotal election issue in NSW, with the pressure on all parties to explain how they will improve community safety.

That’s why the Police Association of NSW (PANSW) has released its Pre-election Submission – Modern Policing for a Safer NSW.

The NSW Police Force had been successful in reducing crime over the past few years, but the State is facing significant community safety challenges going forward.

These challenges include the pressures of urban population growth, new types of crimes such as cyber -stalking and identity theft, increasingly sophisticated criminal networks and the rise of alcohol-fuelled violence on our streets.

The major parties need to show how they will respond to these challenges.  All parties need to make law and order a top priority, and to get serious about a properly funded and resourced Police Force.”

Some of the key recommendations of our Pre-Election Submission include:

- Employing 400 more police officers immediately, and another 1,500 over 8 years to meet increasing community needs;

- Increased funding for the Police budget to ensure police have adequate support and equipment;

- Providing fair and reasonable salaries and conditions for Police Officers;

- Amending the Right to Silence consistent with the model used in Britain;

- Making the Police Integrity Commission the sole body for police oversight;

- Updating vital police equipment such as Bullet Resistant Vests; and

- Tackling the epidemic of alcohol-fuelled violence in NSW.

The full submission is available at the PANSW web site.

Police Officers and the broader community expect the major parties to take these issues seriously, and to provide a clear picture of how they will keep NSW communities safe from crime.  We’re looking forward to the responses to our submission from all the major parties.