❓ The Minister details changes made by the Police Amendment Bill, including increased penalties for unprofessional conduct, improved dismissal processes with an independent right of appeal, and similar rights for Aboriginal police liaison officers. Fines for disciplinary offences have also been substantially increased.
AnsweredQoN 547Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the minister detail what significant changes the Government is making to increase penalties for unprofessional conduct and to improve processes for the dismissal of police officers in appropriate circumstances? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question and for his interest in these matters. Last evening the Police Amendment Bill passed through the Legislative Council, and this is a significant step forward in enhancing community confidence in our Police Service. It is also a defining moment for police industrial relations in this State. We have delivered on legislation that is underpinned by a landmark agreement with the Western Australian Government, the Western Australian Police Union of Workers and the Western Australia Police Service. It clarifies the circumstances in which police officers may be removed from office, but for the first time in the history of this State it provides an independent right of appeal by police officers to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. As is appropriate, for the first time Aboriginal police liaison officers will be afforded very similar rights of removal and appeal. This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and for his interest in these matters. Last evening the Police Amendment Bill passed through the Legislative Council, and this is a significant step forward in enhancing community confidence in our Police Service. It is also a defining moment for police industrial relations in this State. We have delivered on legislation that is underpinned by a landmark agreement with the Western Australian Government, the Western Australian Police Union of Workers and the Western Australia Police Service. It clarifies the circumstances in which police officers may be removed from office, but for the first time in the history of this State it provides an independent right of appeal by police officers to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. As is appropriate, for the first time Aboriginal police liaison officers will be afforded very similar rights of removal and appeal. This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
I thank the member for some notice of this question and for his interest in these matters. Last evening the Police Amendment Bill passed through the Legislative Council, and this is a significant step forward in enhancing community confidence in our Police Service. It is also a defining moment for police industrial relations in this State. We have delivered on legislation that is underpinned by a landmark agreement with the Western Australian Government, the Western Australian Police Union of Workers and the Western Australia Police Service. It clarifies the circumstances in which police officers may be removed from office, but for the first time in the history of this State it provides an independent right of appeal by police officers to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. As is appropriate, for the first time Aboriginal police liaison officers will be afforded very similar rights of removal and appeal. This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and for his interest in these matters. Last evening the Police Amendment Bill passed through the Legislative Council, and this is a significant step forward in enhancing community confidence in our Police Service. It is also a defining moment for police industrial relations in this State. We have delivered on legislation that is underpinned by a landmark agreement with the Western Australian Government, the Western Australian Police Union of Workers and the Western Australia Police Service. It clarifies the circumstances in which police officers may be removed from office, but for the first time in the history of this State it provides an independent right of appeal by police officers to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. As is appropriate, for the first time Aboriginal police liaison officers will be afforded very similar rights of removal and appeal. This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
I thank the member for some notice of this question and for his interest in these matters. Last evening the Police Amendment Bill passed through the Legislative Council, and this is a significant step forward in enhancing community confidence in our Police Service. It is also a defining moment for police industrial relations in this State. We have delivered on legislation that is underpinned by a landmark agreement with the Western Australian Government, the Western Australian Police Union of Workers and the Western Australia Police Service. It clarifies the circumstances in which police officers may be removed from office, but for the first time in the history of this State it provides an independent right of appeal by police officers to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. As is appropriate, for the first time Aboriginal police liaison officers will be afforded very similar rights of removal and appeal. This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
This is one of the most significant steps forward in modernising and refining police management practices in this State and it provides for a much fairer and more accountable system. It provides a system in which removal can happen in a much more expedient manner, rather than the long and convoluted process that tended to drag on for a long time. This is in stark contrast to what happened under the former Government, where members of the Police Service threatened to go on strike over the section 8 provisions. We also saw a massive meeting and a vote of no confidence in former Commissioner of Police Bob Falconer. No-one pretends that these are not difficult issues. I congratulate the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Graham Lienert and also Mr Michael Dean and the lawyers who have worked towards reaching this sensible position. We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
We have also substantially increased fines for an officer who commits a disciplinary offence. Members will recall that some random breath tests had been fabricated, and this was an issue over the previous 12 months or so. When we looked at what fines and disciplinary provisions were available - other than dismissal or potential demotion of a police officer - we found that the fine was only $200. I think the community saw that as a joke; I certainly saw it as a joke, especially when we know that a first-year constable receives a wage in excess of $40 000. We have now put in place legislation under which they can be fined up to three per cent of salary if they commit a disciplinary offence. Our Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the community’s confidence in our Police Service. This legislation is yet another step in that process.
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