escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links for full page descriptions

Archived Press Releases 2008 28th August 2008

POLICE COMMISSIONER - POLITICAL PUPPET?

(28th August 2008)

The Politisation of the Police has reached an all time high with the Police Commissioner unable to make an operational decision without reference to his Political masters.

Constitutionally the Police Department is supposed to be independent of any Political influence, but in truth that is not the case.

Unless the Commissioner of Police "falls into line" with the Political wishes of the Government of the day, the Commissioner can be starved of resources to run his Department.

More and more the Commissioner feels obliged to consult with Politicians before operational decisions are made.

That it has now reached the stage where the Commissioner of Police feels unable to make a decision pertaining to the safety of his staff (the issue of Tasers) is an indictment on him and the whole process that he now operates under.

The President of the Police Association, Greg O’Connor has every right to feel seriously aggrieved that the Commissioner has failed his staff in the most basic of his responsibilities.

The responsibility to ensure his staff has the best tools to protect the public and go about their job in the safest manner.

Regards,

Alan Monk
Spokesperson on Police issues,
06 8355521