Tenure debate provides direction

 

 

 

 

The WA Police Union’s 83rd Annual Conference was dominated by a robust discussion around tenure. 

 

Leading into Conference, 10 motions were listed for debate on the polarising topic of tenure.

 

Ultimately, delegates voted to back an Executive Motion to lobby the Commissioner of Police to establish a working group to full investigate and address the Deployment Policy, with a significant focus on tenure.

 

WAPU President Harry Arnott said Branches had a wide range of views on tenure and there was never going to be a one size fits all solution.

 

“The Board of Directors believes the working group is the best way forward to solve the tenure issue once and for all,” Mr Arnott said.

 

“We’ve debated tenure every year and passed motions which contradict each other so this clear direction from the delegates gives us a mandate to work with the WA Police Force to find a workable solution which not only benefits Members but also the agency and community.”

 

Mr Arnott said Conference also decided it would like to see all decisions relating to maximum tenure suspended until the completion of any review of tenure.

 

“The motion to suspend decisions relating to maximum tenure is important. It gives those Members who are coming up to maximum tenure in the next 12 months the opportunity to sit tight until the working group has conducted the review,” he said. 

 

“It does not stop all transfers, if people want to move they can move in line with the current policy but for those who don’t, it could allow them the chance to stay and avoid unnecessary upheaval while the Deployment Policy is reviewed.”  

 

The Conference theme tied into the #Care4Cops campaign with speakers focusing on care, welfare and wellbeing.

 

Bodie Green from WA Prison Officer’s Union gave a presentation on STAND TALR – Talk, Ask, Listen, and Refer which he rolls out to prison officers across the State to reinforce the message to look after yourself and to consider your mental health. 

 

AFL Football Umpire Dean Margetts spoke about the synergy between policing and umpiring and the resilience it takes to do both jobs. While State Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union spoke about his Union’s benevolent work.

 

Conference major sponsor P&N Bank also provided delegates with a general overview of key financial decisions they need to be considering to ensure their financial welfare is looked after.  

 

The 83rd Conference also marked the first ever Welcome to Country which was conducted by Barry Maguire and was well received by all in attendance. 

 

In his opening address, Mr Arnott challenged Minister for Police Michelle Roberts to tell delegates exactly where the police-specific compensation scheme was.

 

And while Mrs Roberts said it was yet to be drafted, she did indicate that it would be presented to the Board in 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave received his accolade at the WA Police Union Annual Conference Dinner sponsored by Fleet Network.

 

Dave’s involvement in the Union began in 1973 when we joined the WA Police Force and ended in 2017 when retired from the Union office as a Field Officer.

 

In between Dave served for 31 years on the frontline, followed by 17 at WAPU HQ. He has been a Branch Official, Union Director, Industrial Officer, the Union’s first Safety Officer and finally a Field Officer.

 

Dave gave total commitment to the Members in the area of safety and he has been instrumental in helping WAPU achieve a lot of the safety-related benefits that the Members enjoy today. 

 

He has been a tireless voice on behalf of the Members in ensuring the WA Police Force implemented many safety policies, acquired PPE and replaced or renovated many workplaces for the benefit of the members.

 

He was instrumental in getting the Single Officer Patrol Policy implemented and has been a strong voice for the closure of many outdated dangerous and unsafe police stations.

 

He is also a keen writer and penned many a column for Police News which was the forerunner into his project to research the history of our Union to mark our centenary in 2012. His book Fruits of our Labour commemorated 100 years of the Police Union serving our Members and the author worked extremely hard putting together his master piece.  

 

WAPU also acknowledged the work of other hard working officials at the Annual Conference Dinner. 

 

Maylands Complex Branch President Scott Sulley received the Dowd-Dempsey Award for his work reinvigorating the Branch as well as raising the issue of working conditions and minimum legal requirements in relation to acceptable workplace parameters. 

 

He did this at personal risk to his status with the hierarchy who were not keen to be informed of shortfalls at the new accommodation but he still approached upper-level management at the SOCC to ensure Members were looked after.

 

Senior Vice President Mick Kelly was awarded the 20-year WAPU Service Pin while East Kimberley Branch President Stuart Lapsley received his 10-year pin.

 

Five-year pins were awarded to: Cliff Daurat (Sex Crimes Branch), Blair Moulton (North Pilbara), Michael Sedgman (Licensing Enforcement), Neil Vanderplank (West Pilbara Branch), Hannah Vialls (Serious & Organised Crime), and Glenn Wishart (Geraldton).

 

For the first time, the Union held an Auction, conducted by our Emcee Tiny Holly. 

 

Fourteen auction items were put under the hammer including sporting memorabilia, artwork, wine and an original 1974 full length, kangaroo hide leather coat which was worn on patrol and kindlydonated by Dave Lampard.

 

The donated items raised $5,975 for WA Police Legacy.