Police engagement survey shows 'good will' at risk

The Police staff engagement survey shows staff good will is at risk, and this threatens Police’s ability to function as an effective organisation, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.

“Police effectiveness depends enormously on the good will of staff – willingness to go the extra mile, to work the extra hours, to come in on days off or after hours, having just worked a long shift, to cover for colleagues,” Mr O’Connor said.

“This survey basically shows police don’t feel their employer is returning that good will. They feel over-worked, under-resourced, and don’t have a great deal of trust in the organisation to treat them fairly.

“Police has said it will be implementing measures to address the problems identified. If they are to be effective, those measures must include decision-making at all levels of Police showing the good will and fairness that staff obviously feel is lacking. That means in shift rostering decisions; HR decisions; resourcing decisions; and decisions as to where to allocate new staff to best support their overworked colleagues.

“The first step in dealing with a problem is recognising it. That’s the big positive here.

“It’s no coincidence the best survey results came out of the Communications Centres, where a huge amount of resource and attention was invested a few years ago after they reached crisis point. Let’s get the investment and attention into the other areas of Police, like the CIB and General Duties Branch, before they reach a crisis point that would put public safety at risk,” Mr O’Connor said.