Police welcome Ngo case findings 
17 April 2009: Police have today welcomed the news that the conviction of Phuong Ngo has been upheld, saying the inquiry was flawed from the beginning.  
The Police Association of NSW raised concerns about the inquiry into the conviction of Ngo over the death of Cabramatta MP John Newman in 1994 when it was announced in October last year, saying it had grave concerns about the unusual manner in which the inquiry was instituted.  
A Coronial Inquest, a Committal Hearing and three Supreme Court Trials as well as an appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal had already been held into the matter prior to the latest inquiry. Ngo had also been refused leave to appeal to the High Court. 
“This inquiry put a question mark over the credibility of the police involved as well as the courts and the DPP.  It’s great that this has finally been laid to rest,” Mr Remfrey said.  
“The police resources that went into this inquiry were unbelievable.  It was a complete waste of the public’s money and more importantly the time of the police who should have been out protecting the community.  
“Today’s findings prove the initial ‘very difficult and complex’ investigation was undertaken by the police ‘thoroughly and competently’.  We knew that at the time, but today’s findings have completely exonerated the police involved.   
“Not only did this trial place undue strain on the victim’s family, but also on the police officers involved.  The inquiry was a slur on the dedicated Detectives involved, but today’s findings have completely vindicated them.  
“It’s good to see that the case has finally been settled so the family of the victim can begin to get on with their lives and the police involved can get back to investigating serious crime.”

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Police pay campaign critical to stop exodus from the force
More than 1,200 police have left the NSW Police Force since the last state election, with many citing low wages and poor conditions as the reason behind their move.
The Police Association of NSW today launched a campaign calling on the state government to take action ahead of police wage negotiations next year or risk losing more of the state's front line police.
Police Association of NSW President Bob Pritchard said unless the state government comes up with a better offer than the current 2.5 per cent on the table, more and more police will be forced out of the job.
"The NSW Government's 2.5 per cent pay offer is a joke and equates to a cut in real wages for police," Mr Pritchard said.
"With inflation running at 4.9 per cent, any less than that is an insult to the men and women in the NSW police force.
"Since the state election in March last year, 1209 police have left the force. The Premier, at that election, pledged an increase of 750 officers - a promise that now appears to be seriously at risk.
"The heroes of the NSW Police Force are leaving because the pay just isn't up to scratch.
"This will be a long, hard fight to get a fair deal for police but we're ready for it and we think the NSW community is too.
Mr Pritchard said for the first time the Police Association will be mobilising police and the public online with mass emails. petitions and sms and video updates to try to get the best possible deal for police.
"The people of NSW know we've got to hang on to the police we've got and that means paying them properly for the dangerous and difficult work they do.
"The only ones who don't seem to understand that at the moment are the NSW state government."

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Reducing Police Protections Just Not Acceptable
The Police Minister's commitment to death and disability protections for police does not go far enough, said the Police Association of NSW today in the wake of an Auditor-General's report attacking the scheme.
The Association is calling on the Minister to provide an iron-clad guarantee that police and their families will have financial security should they be killed or injured on the job.
"The Death and Disability Scheme is a vital protection for frontline police who put their lives on the line every day," said Peter Remfrey, secretary, Police Association of NSW.
Mr Remfrey said the Auditor General's report was based on flawed methodology and misunderstood the pressures facing front line police.
"The Auditor General has pointed out some issues with the management of injured officers and the resultant effect on the scheme - concerns the Association has been raising for some time around how the scheme is being used to push officers out of the force.
"But the threshold issue arising from the report today is this: the Police Minister needs to clearly reassure front line police that their death and disability protections are safe."
Mr Remfrey said the appalling treatment of many injured officers by NSW Police highlights the case for better management of the scheme.
But reviewing the scheme's management cannot be achieved by threatening death and disability protections to front line police.
"We are more than happy to look at ways to manage the scheme better, but only with the confidence that our protections are safe.
"That is the question we need the Police Minister to clearly answer today - will he protect police or will he turn his back on them?"
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Police call on new Minister to slash red tape and resource the Force

11 Sep: The Police Association has welcomed the appointment of incoming Police Minister Tony Kelly, hoping that the decision to appoint a senior, experienced politician will give the portfolio stability after six changes of ministers in under five years.
The Association has called on him to slash red tape and tackle recruitment and retention issues head on.
The Association says the two problems are inextricably linked with police leaving the force and deciding not to join up due to frustrations with excessive red tape.
‘The biggest challenge facing the new Police Minister is the retention of experienced police and recruitment of new officers,’ association president Bob Pritchard said in a statement.
‘That means improving wages and conditions so that police can afford to work and live in their communities.
‘It also means cutting through the red tape that has put police tied up at their desks, rather than out on the streets and preventing crime.’
‘To fulfil its election promise of boosting total police number or authorised strength by 750, NSW Police will need to recruit over 4,300 new officers in the next five years.
‘The incoming minister will have to hit the ground running — police will settle for nothing less.’
The Association says a proactive approach to policing challenges is key to keeping crime rates down.
‘Police keep our streets safe, look after our communities and put their own lives on the line to help others,’ said Mr Pritchard.
‘Right now the thin blue line is tied up in red tape and that’s something the incoming minister cannot afford to ignore.’

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Incident in Western Sydney
6 September 2008: The incident that occurred in Western Sydney today is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and sympathies go out to the families of the victims.
This accident was caused by a dangerous driver, who was clocked at speeds above 170 km before police intervened. It is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such reckless behaviour on our roads.
The police officers involved acted responsibly and were following pursuit guidelines when they pulled back from their initial chase due to unsafe road conditions. The Association is confident that the independent critical incident investigation will confirm this.
Special thanks must go out to all those emergency services men and women who responded immediately to try to save the two innocent victims of this horrific crash.

Bob Pritchard
President

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Police stunned by budget under-funding

3 June, 2008: Police are extremely disappointed with today’s state budget that threatens to cut real wages, falls short on any long-term commitment to Tasers and provides no funding for vital research to reduce psychological injury on the job. 
“Police are stunned by the inadequacies in today’s budget — particularly the outrageous and insulting wages policy that will cut take home pay for police,” said Bob Pritchard, President Police Association of NSW.
“Frontline police have unanimously rejected the government’s inadequate offer of 2.5% — it’s bloody ridiculous when inflation is running at more than 4%.
“Police are already being forced out of metropolitan Sydney because they can’t afford the cost of housing.  
“NSW Police are going to be hard-pressed to meet its recruitment targets for 2011 with wages on the way down.” 
Mr Pritchard says wages are not the only shortcomings in today’s budget.  
“The failure to fund any additional Tasers is a significant blow for police officers and sends a message that this government isn’t serious when it comes to arming police with the best equipment and technology available. 
“Front line Police need these devices to save lives and keep our communities safe, those are the simple facts about Tasers.  
“The other glaring omission in today’s budget means that ground-breaking research into the impacts of stress and psychological injuries in policing will be further delayed.  
“A scoping study conducted by the University of South Australia with funding from our association has found 12% of police are currently suffering from moderate to very high levels of psychological injury.
“Funding support is needed at the state government level to allow this essential research to progress to the second stage – this is a huge blow for police struggling to cope with work related stress and trauma.”

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Oversight Body for NSW Crime Commission

The Police Association calls on the NSW Government to establish a standing oversight body for the state’s Crime Commission. Police are entrusted with special powers to enable us to do the job of protecting the community. With that comes proper oversight in the form of the Police Integrity Commission (as well as the Ombudsman) so the community can have faith that those powers are used properly. 

The Crime Commission have been granted extraordinary powers which are critical to their role in investigating organised crime. These powers go far beyond those entrusted to police and accordingly it is even more critical that the Crime Commission should, as a matter of public policy, be subject to a standing oversight body to ensure those powers are not abused and they too are held accountable for their actions.

Peter Remfrey
Secretary

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Association president responds to comments from Dr Wodak

Letter to the editor:  
This week Dr Alex Wodak from St Vincent’s Hospital asserted that corrupt police are running around profiting from illegal cannabis trade in Australia – what a load of rubbish.
 
He also suggested that cannabis should instead by dispensed via post offices – again, what a load of rubbish.
 
The 15,000 hardworking police this Association represents deserves better than cheap shots and unfounded accusations. No one in our communities does more to protect people from exposure to illicit drugs than the men and women in the NSW Police force.
 
Dr Wodak: produce evidence of these claims now or withdraw your attacks immediately. And show a bit of respect, thanks, mate. 

Bob Pritchard
President
Police Association of NSW 

NSW Police urge doctor to present evidence

6 May 2008: NSW Police have called on the Director of Alcohol and Drug Services at St Vincent’s Hospital Doctor Alex Wodak to provide any information he has concerning corrupt police who might be working with criminals in the illegal trade of marijuana.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said Dr Wodak, as a respected and responsible physician, had an obligation to bring any knowledge he had of this activity to the relevant authorities.
“I am deeply concerned Dr Wodak’s comments have unfairly smeared all police who work hard to uphold the law. That is not right,” said Mr Scipione.
“Police have an obligation to crack down on illegal drugs, which is evidenced by the recent Bureau of Crime Research and Statistics report showing in 2007 there were  12,250 charges of possessing or using cannabis, 441 charges of dealing or trafficking in cannabis and 1,082 charges of cultivating cannabis,” said Mr Scipione.
“As Commissioner of Police I am determined to tackle head-on any suggestion of police corruption that might exist in this area.
“I have directed the NSWPF Professional Standards Command to contact the doctor and follow up the allegations he has made. I look forward to his on-going support in this most important area,” said Mr Scipione.
The Director General of Health, Professor Debora Picone has discussed the matter with the Police Commissioner. Professor Picone has also urged Dr Wodak to assist police and come forward with any evidence he may have.
Anyone who has knowledge of police corruption, especially in the area of supplying or selling drugs is urged to bring it to the attention of the Commissioner of Police or the Police Integrity Commission as a matter of urgency.