6th March 2002 Law and Order number one concern for Barwon constituents

Member for Barwon, Ian Slack-Smith and Police Minister Michael Costa at the Western Division Shires Association Conference in Lightning Ridge

Law and order was foremost in the minds of delegates to the Western Division Group of Shires Annual Conference hosted by Walgett Shire Council in Lightning Ridge this week. Member for Barwon, Ian Slack-Smith, took the opportunity to introduce this issue very early in the agenda.

"I received 4000 replies to a survey conducted before Christmas. Ninety percent of my constituents placed law and order as their number one concern, noting lack of police and weak magistrates as compounding factors," he said.

"There is one thing I am very clear about,' said Police Minister Michael Costa, "there is no problem with police numbers.

"We are spending $1.6 billion and have a contingent of 13,790 police which is the greatest amount ever," he said.

"I aim to find out if we are getting good value for taxpayers' money, with a further intake of 800 police numbers are just not an issue," insisted Mr Costa. "Communities want visible policing, to feel safe and the criminals caught and appropriately punished.

"We need to restructure the force to see how best they can be used. There will be a review of the 400 duty officers positions.

"We will trial the use of stenographers and dictaphones to ease the "bogging" down in paperwork experienced by officers. Processing of minor offences can take up to three hours; we will empower officers to issue infringement notices as one of three options - arrest, court or infringement notice.

A higher level of accountability between Local Area Commands and the community will be expected. Local Area Commands will be realigned with local government boundaries.

"We need our officers to link with the community to establish greater stability and continuity. Policing is a contact sport. The mechanics of the police complaint system will be streamlined with the Ombudsman.

"Let me make it clear, police do not have their hands tied. I am a very strong believer in community policing," Mr Costa continued.

The demoralising aspects of the crime environment were outlined by Mr Costa and the frustrations encountered when offenders were put back on the streets.

"It is critical that we know who we are dealing with so profiles on repeat offenders will be gathered. We need to define repeat offenders, forget about police numbers and target the offender, not the offence.

"This measure will increase those remanded by up to 1000, meaning extra jails. "Mandatory Minimum Sentencing hasn't worked anywhere. Take away a magistrate's discretion and the crimes become more intense. It would be most dangerous not to think of the consequences.

"We will legislate to have bimonthly communication between Local Area Commands, community representatives, groups, mayors etc. Local Area Commands need to liaise with communities and explain how, when and why they are allocating resources.

"Hot spots and trouble areas should be handled under the principle of visible policing. "There is no reason police can't be put into these spots.

"Be assured there is no Government policy to close Police Stations. If Local Area Commands can't justify not having 24 hour service they have a problem and must rethink it.

"Police are not social workers, they are there basically to arrest criminals and maintain order and safety.

"Other Government departments need to put in place the correct measures to free up police. We need a whole of government approach.

"We are losing 60 officers per month, they just don't join the force to perform these other duties.

"Police Citizen Youth Clubs need to be refocused back into the values system. Management of these clubs should not lie with police officers.

"The NSW Farmers Association do not support the return of the Stock Squad.

"Crime investigators, a national identification scheme, and the use of infringement notices are proposed.

"I need to satisfy myself and you what it will take to make our towns safer and target what we are paying for," concluded Mr Costa.

The Police Minister received a deputation from the Lightning Ridge Chamber of Commerce during his visit to the Western Division Group of Shire's Annual Conference this week.