Royal Commission Into The New South Wales Police Service Recommendations

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Speakers - McManus Mr Ian; Whelan Mr Paul
Business - Questions Without Notice

ROYAL COMMISSION INTO THE NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr McMANUS: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Police. What progress has the Government made in implementing recommendations of the royal commission’s final report into the New South Wales Police Service?

Mr WHELAN: The honourable member for Bulli has asked an important question. The findings and recommendations of the Wood royal commission have presented the Government and the Parliament with an historic opportunity to change
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the Police Service. In reforming the Police Service the Government wants to succeed where others have failed by ridding the service of corrupt police but by supporting the vast majority of our Police Service - honest policemen and policewomen. Today I want to send a message to our dedicated, hardworking police: your honesty is valued; your service is commended. Men and women like you protect and keep our community safe.

I can advise the House that as a result of the work of the royal commission and subsequent Government legislation, corrupt police are being cleaned out of the Police Service. As a result of the commissioner’s confidence provisions, 73 police have either left the service or been terminated. A further 37 officers left under the royal commission amnesty, and another 210 officers are in the process of being examined by Commissioner Ryan. In addressing the recommendations of the royal commission the Government has already implemented or begun implementing 87 per cent of the recommendations of the first report, 93 per cent of the recommendations of the second report and 70 per cent of the recommendations of the final report. The remaining recommendations are under close consideration, meaning that they require further negotiation and consultation. I should briefly mention some of the recommendations from each chapter as an indicator of progress. Chapter 2 deals with police responsibilities in New South Wales.

Mr Hartcher: On a point of order. Mr Speaker, I am aware of your rulings, but we are about to hear, as indicated by the Leader of the House, chapter-by-chapter discussion of the findings of the report and the response to them. According to Speaker Kelly and Speaker Rozzoli that constitutes a ministerial statement, and we invite the Minister to make such a ministerial statement at the end of question time.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! No point of order is involved.

Mr WHELAN: All the recommendations -

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for North Shore will remain silent.

Mr WHELAN: All the recommendations in chapter 2 regarding the responsibilities of the Police Service, drug law enforcement, gaming and betting, and police and community youth clubs have been implemented or are being implemented. In relation to PCY clubs, a review of the role of police within PCYCs has commenced. The Government is heartened by the royal commission’s statement:

The positive aspects of police involvement in the PCYC movement are obvious and convincing and the Royal Commission would not suggest that the Service should severe its relationship with the clubs.

Chapter 3 refers to transforming the New South Wales Police Service. The report outlined the structural and organisational proposals to transform the New South Wales Police Service. No recommendations are more important than 10 and 11, requiring the further return of police from behind desks back to the streets. The restructure, which commenced on 1 July, is radically transforming the Police Service. I can announce today that the new look Police Service involves nearly 1,000 police moved from behind desks and from distant locations into the front line - local area commands.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.

Mr WHELAN: To recap, nearly 1,000 police have been moved from behind desks and from distant locations into the front line.

Mr O’Farrell: Where?

Mr WHELAN: To your local area command. That is nearly 1,000 police fighting crime in partnership with the local community. An additional 100 police were allocated around the State in mid-August. New equipment costing $2 million has already been purchased and allocated to the front line of policing, including 700 new computers, gun cabinets, batons, mobile phones, video cameras, radios and bullet-resistant vests. These changes are part of the Government’s commitment to put more police where crime is worst and to provide better protection and safety for our local communities all over New South Wales. In relation to recommendation 15, the Commissioner of Police will soon provide to the Government a proposal for anti-terrorist and VIP protection agencies.

In relation to the age of police recruits, the Government supports a minimum age of 21. Commissioner Ryan has advised that this recommendation should be phased in over a number of years, with full transition implemented after the Olympics. The royal commission’s recommendations concerning employment, administration of the police superannuation scheme, impediments to lateral entry, secondment and transfer, sick leave and hurt-on-duty appeals are currently either implemented or under consideration in consultation with the Police Association, the Commissioned Police Officers Association and the Public Service Association. The education and training of police officers is central to
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reform of the Police Service. The Government wants the finest system in the world for training and educating police officers. That is why, in line with recommendations 41 and 102 concerning education and training, an advisory committee on police education will be established consisting of expert educators in the field of policing.

Commissioner Ryan and I are currently finalising the committee’s membership and terms of reference. In accordance with recommendations 36 and 37, dealing with the Police Academy, the Council on the Cost of Government has commenced a review. The Government has no plans for the academy to be moved from Goulburn. It will not entertain the likes of police academy passing-out parades on the steps of the Opera House. The royal commission, despite not finding any evidence of corruption in the police prosecution process, recommended that the Director of Public Prosecutions should have responsibility for all prosecutions. The Government is currently consulting the Police Service, the Police Association and the DPP in the interests of making the best possible decision.

Chapter 4 of the royal commission’s report proposed reform to the complaints and discipline system and to the development of its replacement, a new employment management system. The Government has already established the Police Integrity Commission and commenced the legislative changes necessary for the new EM system. Commissioner Ryan’s implementation progress report, with a view to making necessary legislative changes during this session, will be provided within the next four weeks. Chapter 5 deals with civilian advisory councils and requires greater consultation and communication by the Police Service and police administration with the community. I can advise the House that this will be co-ordinated by local police working closely with Neighbourhood Watch, local government and local bodies such as chambers of commerce.

Chapter 6 deals with the internal witness program. The Government recognises the importance of an effective internal witness program in the fight against corruption. The service introduced a new internal witness support policy in September last year, and work is continuing on the remaining recommendations. Chapter 7 deals with the criminal investigation integrity process. It concerns measures to promote the integrity of criminal investigative procedures. The commissioner has already established a new expert advisory group concerning major criminal investigations. Its members include John Hatton, former member for South Coast, Sandra Egger and Chris Masters. A new crime agencies proposal is currently being finalised by Commissioner Ryan. The Law Reform Commission will provide advice on the royal commission’s recommendations on electronic recordings, video devices and tracking devices.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is far too much audible conversation in the Chamber. The honourable member for Pittwater will remain silent. I call the honourable member for Wakehurst to order.

Mr WHELAN: Chapter 8 of the royal commission report contains a range of recommendations to promote integrity within the organisational culture of the Police Service, not just in police operations.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Wyong to order.

Mr WHELAN: Many of these matters have already been addressed, including the commitment to a uniformed service, the implementation of drug, alcohol and integrity testing, and the adoption of a code of conduct. Commissioner Ryan will report on ethics and integrity implementation strategies in his second submission to the Government within the next four weeks. To monitor the reform process the royal commission at recommendation 174 called for the appointment of a strategic auditor to report to the Police Integrity Commission and the Minister for Police. The Government supports this recommendation, and I have requested the Police Integrity Commission to prepare a blueprint for its implementation. As the royal commissioner reported, now is the time to challenge the cycle of corruption. The Government is driving the reform process. Corruption will not be tolerated. For a safer and more secure community, the old police culture must be left behind.

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