NSW: More than 3,000 police needed: union

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2006
NSW: More than 3,000 police needed: union

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - NSW Police resources needed to fight crime are instead being stretched
by major sporting events, VIP visits and protest rallies, the police union says.

The NSW Police Association (PA) today launched its "Resource the Force" campaign, which
renews its call for 3,000 extra frontline officers.

PA president Sergeant Bob Pritchard said changes to the nature of policing, the threat
of terrorism, and the increased burden of paperwork also supported the need for more officers.

" ... Riots in Cronulla, Macquarie Fields, and Redfern also take police away from the
central Sydney areas, but it is the ongoing nature of major events that take the greatest
toll on resources necessary to fight crime," Sgt Pritchard said.

The latest figures show the force has 14,634 officers.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has already committed to an additional 750 officers, while
Opposition Leader Peter Debnam has said he is open to discussion on police numbers.

Sgt Pritchard said more police meant lower rates of crime.

"The government's commitment to an additional 750 police officers is a good first step,
but we're calling on both sides of politics to come up with a plan to properly resource
NSW Police for the term of the next government to solve the problem," he said.

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