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 Know your rights

Police call on Premier to intervene

 on Skye’s Law

9 March 2010: Police are calling on the Premier to intervene and stop the watering down of Skye’s Law when the legislation is considered in State Parliament today.

The Police Association of NSW said the law as it stands is unworkable and means lives will continue to be put at risk by reckless drivers trying to evade police.

“This law is well intentioned, but it’s been neutered by the Attorney General’s Department,” Police Association of NSW Vice President Scott Weber said.

“Against the advice of expert police in the traffic and legal areas, the Attorney General’s Department has watered the law down to the point where it’s virtually useless.

“Under the legislation to be tabled today the onus will be placed on police to prove that a driver was not only driving recklessly or at a dangerous speed, but also that the driver knew that they were required by police to stop.

“How can police prove this knowledge? It’s just ridiculous. The onus of proof needs to lie with the person putting the lives of police and the public in danger.

“We need Skye’s Law, there’s no doubting that. We can prevent further tragedies like the one that took Skye’s life, but the law as it currently stands isn’t the way.

“The reality is that if the legislation passes as it stands, police will be unable to enforce it.
“It’s up to the Premier now to step in and make sure Skye’s Law is more than just a token PR stunt, to ensure it will deter reckless drivers from evading police and putting lives at risk.”

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NSW must follow national lead and crack down on Mr Bigs: Police
5 February: NSW must follow the lead of the Federal Government and crack down on the unexplained millions being hoarded by underworld crime bosses, the Police Association of NSW said today.

The Federal Government yesterday announced it would introduce Unexplained Wealth legislation at the national level.

Police Association of NSW Secretary Peter Remfrey said closing the legal loophole on unexplained wealth would save the State Government over $50 million a year - money that could be channelled back into community safety.

“If we are to get serious about catching the Mr Bigs of the underworld then the State Government should step up and follow the Federal Government’s lead,” Mr Remfrey said.

“The current lax laws we have in NSW are allowing some of our biggest crime bosses to slip through the cracks.

“The introduction of Unexplained Wealth legislation would help combat organised crime in this state by hitting our criminals where it hurts – their back pockets.”

“The benefits in terms of combating crime in the state would be threefold. Firstly, it would deter people from taking part in crime in the first place by reducing the possibility of gaining or keeping the profits; secondly, it would prevent crime by making it harder for people to finance criminal activity; and thirdly, it would remedy the unjust enrichment of criminals who profit at society’s expense.”

“If people have genuinely worked hard for their money, it will be easy for them to prove it. If they haven’t, the introduction of Unexplained Wealth legislation will mean the authorities will have the power to seize any assets obtained with ill-gotten funds.

Media contact: Alana Mew, 0423 377 567


Police welcome new police evasion legislation

1 Feb: New police evasion legislation announced in NSW today will save the lives of innocent people, the Police Association of NSW said today.  
The new legislation approved by Cabinet today will see criminal who lead police on high-speed chases face jail sentences of up to five years.  
“It’s good to see the new Premier is listening and taking positive action to protect our streets,” Mr Weber said.  
“We would have preferred to see mandatory sentencing included, but at least this is a step in the right direction.
“The onus will still remain on the judicial system to enforce appropriate sentences for those risking lives in high speed chases. Let’s hope we can start to see more consistency in the system.
“Anything that deters crims from putting the lives of the public and police at risk by using speed to evade police is welcomed, but I think the government still needs to take this a step further and introduce mandatory sentencing.
“We’ve got to put a stop to the people instigating these dangerous pursuits through our streets.
“Real-life is not like the movies.  Car chases aren’t fun, and they don’t end with laughter and high-fives.  Unfortunately as we’ve seen recently, they usually end in tears and tragedy.
“High-speed pursuits put lives at risk - the lives of police trying to catch them, and the lives of everyone else on or near the road at that time.  
“Stronger laws are definitely a positive step – even if they prevent just one life from being lost.”


Local cops call for dedicated drug squad

18 December 2009: Local police are calling on the State Government to help combat the spiralling drug problem in the Tweed/Byron area by urgently delivering a specialised drug squad to the region.

The Tweed/Byron Local Area Command regularly figures in the list of commands with the most drug seizures in the state.

Local Police Association representative Troy Hamilton said officers in the region need the appropriate resources if they’re to combat the drug problem.

“When the new Premier Kristina Keneally came to town recently she indicated a specialised drug squad wasn’t on the cards. It was a slap in the face for local police and the local community,” Mr Hamilton said.

“Premier Keneally also indicated that the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command was 18 officers above its authorised strength. Whilst this may be correct it doesn’t properly reflect the operational strength of the Command. The Command as at the end of November 2009 had 13 officers on long term sick leave, 13 officers on restricted duties and 16 officers classified as part-time. That’s a total of 42 officers (approx. 26%) not available on a full-time operational basis. How can any government expect the local police to properly protect the local community from a range of crime problems, let alone the spiralling drug problem the Tweed community faces.”

“If there has ever been a prime case for the introduction of a drug squad, this is it.”

“Police in the area want to be able to combat this problem, but with out the proper resources that’s very difficult.”

“The government is turning a blind eye to the burgeoning drug problem in the area and as a result, turning a blind eye to the needs of the local community.”

“The police on the ground are working flat out as is. Unless we get the specialised resources we need it’s going to be increasingly difficult to fight the problem.”

“The people of the Tweed/Byron area deserve to know their police are adequately equipped to deal with everything that comes up.”

Premier rejects call>
Gold Coast Bulletin editorial>
Tweed drugs shame>


Police appeal Taufahema decision

17 December 2009: Police have today called on the Federal Government to overturn the decision to allow one of the men jailed for the killing of Senior Constable Glenn McEnalley to stay in Australia.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal decided not to cancel Motekiai Taufahema’s visa on the 23rd of November.
Police Association of NSW Vice President Scott Weber said the decision has angered police and the wider community.
“It’s critical Senator Chris Evans takes immediate action to overturn this decision,” Mr Weber said.
“This bloke has been convicted of killing an on duty police officer. Surely common sense has to prevail in instances like this.
“In March 2016 he could be back on our streets. The government owes it not only the country’s police, but to the Australian community, to ensure that does not happen.
“In this case the criminal justice system has failed Glenn McEnallay, his family, the community and all the brave police officers who put their lives on the line everyday.
“This man has spent 12 of his 21 years in Australia behind bars and committed one of the most heinous acts possible. We can’t have people like this wandering our streets.
“The decision needs to be reversed, there’s no doubt about that. The government now has an opportunity to rectify this serious mistake.”
 


Police call for pub trading hour restrictions to curb violence
14 December 2009: Frontline police are calling on the new Premier to curb alcohol related assaults by reducing pub trading hours across the state.
Two police ended up in hospital over the weekend after they were attacked in alcohol fuelled incidents.
Police Association of NSW Vice President Scott Weber said evidence in Newcastle, where alcohol restrictions are already in place, highlights the need for similar initiatives to be introduced state-wide.
The recently released statistics show that the number of assaults occurring after dark in Newcastle has been slashed by 29 per cent since a suite of alcohol trading restrictions were introduced.
“Thousands of police are assaulted each year by drunken idiots,” Mr Weber said.
“Even over the weekend we saw two officers end up in hospital after they were attacked while they were on duty.
“It’s got to the point where resources are being drained because so many officers are forced to take time out to recover from injuries caused by alcohol related assaults. It puts strain on every facet of the Force.
The measures in place in Newcastle include lock-outs,
compulsory closing times and restrictions on the sale of spirits after 10pm.  
“The figures in Newcastle prove beyond doubt that this works.
“Innocent men and women – both police and members of the public - are being senselessly beaten every single day. Something needs to be done about,” Mr Weber said.
 


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