Mr HATTON - 2001-07-03
In the 2000-01 budget the minister announced a $1m police officer safety program. Can the minister inform members of the progress that has been made in further improving the standards of operational equipment available to Territory police?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, an important question and one that gets to the core of the resourcing of our Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel. It is one thing to have well-trained staff, it is another thing to have well-resourced staff.
In terms of the tragic circumstances that arose after the death of Sergeant Glen Huitson in 1999, there were considerations given to provide additional safety equipment. As the honourable member for Nightcliff has alluded, $1m was provided in the last budget for that purpose. The equipment as a result of that is starting to flow through. The first 100 new ballistic vests which provide officers with enhanced protection and improved fit combined with a design that enables better use of firearms, will now be distributed. The vests will be provided in a range of sizes including special fittings for female officers.
A further 63 vests will be purchased this financial year at a cost of $1072 each. These vests will complement existing units ensuring this protection is in more than adequate supply. It is also worthy of note that following the trialling of the Oleoresin Capsicum Spray, the equipment program also includes the provision for the delivery of capsicum spray to all operation officers. That will provide officers with a response in terms of the contemporary circumstances and the issues that police have to deal with today. That is, a response that will quell further action from the person the police are attempting to apprehend, and for police to be able to deal with a variety of situations confronting the modern police officer.
In addition to the vests and the OC spray, security screens have now been fitted to 15 vehicles as part of the equipment upgrade program, with a contract let to fit the screens to another 40 vehicles. So the program will be a very effective one in terms of providing police with better resources to be able to go about their job.
Additional shotguns with secure in-car mounts and high intensity light bars to increase the visibility of vehicles will be purchased over the next two years. I would expect as this equipment comes on line that police management will continue to look at the ongoing needs of ensuring that adequate levels of both safety equipment and other essential pieces of equipment are provided to ensure that Territorians receive the very best in terms of protection of themselves and their property.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, an important question and one that gets to the core of the resourcing of our Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel. It is one thing to have well-trained staff, it is another thing to have well-resourced staff.
In terms of the tragic circumstances that arose after the death of Sergeant Glen Huitson in 1999, there were considerations given to provide additional safety equipment. As the honourable member for Nightcliff has alluded, $1m was provided in the last budget for that purpose. The equipment as a result of that is starting to flow through. The first 100 new ballistic vests which provide officers with enhanced protection and improved fit combined with a design that enables better use of firearms, will now be distributed. The vests will be provided in a range of sizes including special fittings for female officers.
A further 63 vests will be purchased this financial year at a cost of $1072 each. These vests will complement existing units ensuring this protection is in more than adequate supply. It is also worthy of note that following the trialling of the Oleoresin Capsicum Spray, the equipment program also includes the provision for the delivery of capsicum spray to all operation officers. That will provide officers with a response in terms of the contemporary circumstances and the issues that police have to deal with today. That is, a response that will quell further action from the person the police are attempting to apprehend, and for police to be able to deal with a variety of situations confronting the modern police officer.
In addition to the vests and the OC spray, security screens have now been fitted to 15 vehicles as part of the equipment upgrade program, with a contract let to fit the screens to another 40 vehicles. So the program will be a very effective one in terms of providing police with better resources to be able to go about their job.
Additional shotguns with secure in-car mounts and high intensity light bars to increase the visibility of vehicles will be purchased over the next two years. I would expect as this equipment comes on line that police management will continue to look at the ongoing needs of ensuring that adequate levels of both safety equipment and other essential pieces of equipment are provided to ensure that Territorians receive the very best in terms of protection of themselves and their property.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016