"Police told to turn blind eye to minor offences as payout dispute ramps up""

[Joshmcmillan]

Police across the state will be told this afternoon to stop issuing fines for minor traffic offences indefinitely following the government's announcement it plans to slash compensation for officers injured in the line of duty.

The Police Association of NSW is planning to send a directive to all 16,000 members this afternoon encouraging them to launch "go slow" industrial action.
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Police officers will be told to avoid work that collects revenue for the government.

Instead of giving tickets, they will give verbal warnings.

Police officers will also be told to "prioritise" essential work, but slow down on other non-essential aspects of their jobs, such as paperwork. They will also be told to stick strictly to rostered shifts and meal breaks.

The NSW government claims the current police death and disability scheme, in place since 2005, will cost taxpayers $2.5 billion over the next four years if left unchecked. Serving police officers who are injured on the job average a $400,000 lump-sum payout under the existing program, the Police Association says.

The average age of people accessing the death and disability scheme is 40 years after serving in the Police Force for 15 years, it said.

But Police Minister Michael Gallacher said the scheme also encouraged officers to take the money and leave the force for good, something he wants to redress.

"This is not only a waste of valuable police talent but it often results in injured officers leaving the workforce completely and running out of money after a few years," he said.

The new program, which the government plans to introduce through legislation in the next sitting week of Parliament, would rely on commercial insurance and limit workers' compensation entitlements to officers, Mr Gallacher said.

The Police Association is meeting the Greens today and plans to meet the Shooters and Fred Nile next week to gain their support for retaining the existing scheme.

Association president Scott Weber said injured officers would "end up paupers and on the street" if the government's plans succeeded.

"It means that police officers will look to other jobs," he told reporters this morning.

Mr Weber said they would be less inclined to venture into high-risk situations if they thought they or their families would not be financially covered in the event of injury or death.

The association also plans to take the issue to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and has warned today's industrial action is just the beginning.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-tol...#ixzz1ce6nyXvH

I wonder what type of traffic offenses they're talking about and what it will mean.

[fmc351]

I hope the officers succeed. Nothing but crap dressed up as in their or the forces best interests. If a cop gets hurt on the job, and then rethinks his/her career choice, surely its not fair to 'convince' them to stay on with lower compensation. Let alone likely to succeed. Its more likely to see officers rethink their careers long before they incur an injury.

[Neale]

the police deserve these benifits more than some of the benifits that the polititians get

[BHDOGS]

Interesting police get 400,000 pay out for injurys regular jo blow gets 20grand if hes lucky

[EATHSV]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Interesting police get 400,000 pay out for injurys regular jo blow gets 20grand if hes lucky

Joe blow isn't the person you call when you need something serious sorted out. Nor does he willingly get himself in harms way to protect the people.

They deserve every cent.

No I'm not a policeman either.

[jcxr]

Originally Posted by EATHSV

Joe blow isn't the person you call when you need something serious sorted out. Nor does he willingly get himself in harms way to protect the people.

They deserve every cent.

No I'm not a policeman either.

Good call. Also remember, when your running away from a nasty incident, its the coppers who are running towards it.

[zdcol71]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Interesting police get 400,000 pay out for injurys regular jo blow gets 20grand if hes lucky

Reliable source??? Or does this belong in that thread..."Things bogans like"

[landau460]

i was just thinking (doesnt happen often lol) if the cops can when ever they want decide to stop issueing fines when they feel like it. How do we know when they are upholding the law?
They are in the position to sort the law not just pick and choose, when else do they do this that has not been in the spotlight ?

[GS608]

Originally Posted by landau460

i was just thinking (doesnt happen often lol) if the cops can when ever they want decide to stop issueing fines when they feel like it. How do we know when they are upholding the law?
They are in the position to sort the law not just pick and choose, when else do they do this that has not been in the spotlight ?

This is for minor traffic offences in which they would use their discretion. They are ALLOWED to give verbal warnings instead of fines. Im sure if you're caught doing 20 over they will still fine you. But instead of a fine for a bald tyre they might just warn you, tell you to get it fixed etc.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Interesting police get 400,000 pay out for injurys regular jo blow gets 20grand if hes lucky

Thats for death or disability. Here in WA Police dont get workers comp. So if I was permanently injured on the job I would want more than 400k to last me the rest of my wheel chair life.
I very much doubt that the average worker would only get 20k for a permanent disability, plus they get workers comp and insurance.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by jaydee

I very much doubt that the average worker would only get 20k for a permanent disability, plus they get workers comp and insurance.

IIRC, in NSW we have capped payouts for specific injuries. One former employee, injured at his previous job, got $10-20k for being blinded in one eye.

On the one hand, that seems manifestly inadequate. But then again, there are things such as TPD and income protection if you're really serious about providing for your family in the event of serious injury.

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by b0son

IIRC, in NSW we have capped payouts for specific injuries. One former employee, injured at his previous job, got $10-20k for being blinded in one eye.

On the one hand, that seems manifestly inadequate. But then again, there are things such as TPD and income protection if you're really serious about providing for your family in the event of serious injury.

Most states have capped payouts. And it got worse when insurance companies a few years ago pulled the wool over the publics eye re: public liability too. Its also true for motor vehicle accidents too. Strangely, the public demanded that tort reform despite the best advice not to fall for it.

In your example, youre comparing apples and oranges. In the example you used, it was an eye that was lost, while the article states on average police officers receive $400k. Maybe they do get $400k for an eye or a leg, I dont know but there is no evidence that suggests the two examples are comparable. There is no indication what the injuries were that averaged $400k. However, as part of compensation claims the loss of the eye is not the only consideration, its what goes with the event that caused it too for example.

For example. A guy in a workshop might lose an eye to a chunk of grinder disc, and as bad as that is, its not the same as being held at gun point and having your eye taken out with a pen by some maniacal criminal. Yes I just made that example up, but it illustrates why someone might receive more for the same injury than someone else. Essentially, only the eye is much the same, the rest is very different and compensation is awarded on more than the obvious.

Add into that that part of that arrangement will likely have been at some time an agreement in exchange for wage rises or some such. They do an often thankless job, and the wages IMO arent that great, the risks quite high, and they are entitled to some degree of protection for themselves and their families financial security if the worst should happen.

[BAXR8_Ute]

I believe the $400k is for someone who is injured so badly, be it physical or psychological, that they can no longer work as a police officer. It needs to provide for their family, medical bills and also the officer will have to re train themselves for another line of work. If they are capable of working.

If it was being rorted so much, why did the commissioner keep signing off on the dodgy claims? This is the same commissioner who is now backing the government! Plus the officers were assessed by independent doctors appointed by the nswpf in order to avoid the scammers. I read in another article over the past 3 years 700 officers were deemed medically unfit for duty and received payouts of varying degrees. Of this 700, only 2% have since found full-time work. Oh, they werent all at retirement age either, the average age was 40.

[SILENT_RAPTOR]

I think the gov is heading down a very dangerous path here, what next privatizing the police force?!.

[RHR]

It also fails to note that all police pay into the scheme so its not entirely funded by the state government.

[Nikked]

*goes out and does skids...

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by Nikked

*goes out and does skids...

Make sure they're only minor skids though ok

[Incontro]

This doesn't look healthy, I am not at all accepting this decision; but remember that cops in NSW get a healthy $59000 starting salary whilst the ones in New York get a mere $25,000 starting salary.

Is it even possible to live off that much? (In New York?)

Anyway, I support the cops on this one, steps like these are necessary to prevent the situation here going downhill to the situation in many cities across the USA.

[RG]

Originally Posted by Incontro

This doesn't look healthy, I am not at all accepting this decision; but remember that cops in NSW get a healthy $59000 starting salary whilst the ones in New York get a mere $25,000 starting salary.

Is it even possible to live off that much? (In New York?)

Anyway, I support the cops on this one, steps like these are necessary to prevent the situation here going downhill to the situation in many cities across the USA.

Comparing US wages to Australian wages, that'll work really well....

I'd go into why you just can't compare the two, but I can't be bothered and I'm sure flappist will be along soon enough and he'll do a better job of it anyway.

[Incontro]

Originally Posted by RG

Comparing US wages to Australian wages, that'll work really well....

I'd go into why you just can't compare the two, but I can't be bothered and I'm sure flappist will be along soon enough and he'll do a better job of it anyway.

I don't know what you have against comparing them.

But you still think living off $25,000 in New York is possible?

[Tobey]

It's minor offences only, however they can still issue tickets if they see fit. This is only a DIRECTION - no one can tell an officer what to do in this regard. Chances are if you fail the attitude test you will still get a ticket...

[geckoGT]

We are talking about the health and safety of the people that protect you everyday. Let's treat the subject with some seriousness and respect thanks.

[fg_nitro]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

We are talking about the health and safety of the people that protect you everyday. Let's treat the subject with some seriousness and respect thanks.

Agreed however it seems our politicians line their own pockets with self signed Payrises , super and perks yet the front line staff get droppings. That blue line is quiet thin.

[NAK302]

LOL @ respect........

[steve.zissou]

NSW finances are farked, so the govt needs to tighten their belt. But they need to be careful.

Police probably have the toughest job their is (real police - not office jockeys) and they deserve to have some sort of insurance that covers them if things go bad. However, they are saying this coverage is going to cost upwards of $760 million this year up from $460 mil last year (in compo alone- not wages). they are spending almost the same on wages as they are on compo.

So something is obviously wrong with the system . At an average payout of 400k, that means 1900 police are going the compo route (based on $760 mil). I know some of these are just trying to get some dollars on the way out of the force and have effectively ruined it for the honest cops.

I would be more inclined to leave the system inplace but narrow its coverage (only covers death, loss of limbs, quad/paraplegic) the rest is covered under the normal workers comp laws. Remember, the current system is in addition to any normal workers comp that you or I would get.

[BAXR8_Ute]

For serious offences like big speeds, unregistered driving they'd send you to court rather than give you a ticket.

[flappist]

The problem here is that Police are sworn and have a duty so it is a lot more complex legally.

But that aside they could very easily bring pressure to bear on govco by just turning off the speed cameras BUT NOT TELLING THE MEDIA.

If no one knows the speed cameras are off driver behaviour will not change but the revenue stream will dry up.

Even if they did it randomly turning off the cameras for a few hours then back on for a minute and then back off for a few hours they would not be endangering the public but causing govco huge grief.

That is the way to win industrial disputes, do not upset or endanger the public.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by flappist

The problem here is that Police are sworn and have a duty so it is a lot more complex legally.

But that aside they could very easily bring pressure to bear on govco by just turning off the speed cameras BUT NOT TELLING THE MEDIA.

If no one knows the speed cameras are off driver behaviour will not change but the revenue stream will dry up.

Even if they did it randomly turning off the cameras for a few hours then back on for a minute and then back off for a few hours they would not be endangering the public but causing govco huge grief.

That is the way to win industrial disputes, do not upset or endanger the public.

Excellent post, could not have said it better.

[mik]

give them the pay rise !

[krzysiek]

I do believe the police do a good job and I'm happy they are there to protect me. Despite people saying they're "pigs" or whatever, I believe they are entitled to some sort of monetary insurance should something go wrong. I wouldn't put my life on the line if there wasn't some sort of insurance, why should they?

But i'll stay out of this because I really don't know how it works!

I do have a question though, why instructing to not issue fines for minor offences? What does this have to do with the way their compo. system works? Is it so that they don't have to spend more money going to court, when some people challenge minor offences?