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| Media Releases | Media Releases | |||
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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. |
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NSW must follow national lead and crack down on
Mr Bigs: Police
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.
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>
Police appeal Taufahema decision
17 December 2009
Police call
for pub trading hour restrictions to curb violence |
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