Mr BURKE - 1994-08-24
The matter of the opening hours of Palmerston Police Office is raised frequently in my electorate. What is the status of extended operating hours at Palmerston Police Office and how are the views of the community being addressed through the opening hours of other police offices?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I must say that the members for Brennan and Palmerston have been quite active in ensuring that the opening hours of the Palmerston Police Office are appropriate. As honourable members would know, a 9-week trial was run at the local police office at Palmerston during which the station extended its opening hours and carried out an assessment of the sort of activity experienced over those hours. During that trial, the hours were 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 10 pm on Fridays. As a result of that trial, it was found that the busiest time for front counter inquiries was between 4 pm and 6 pm on those days and, as a result, the Palmerston Police Office now operates an opening schedule of 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 8 pm on Fridays.
The other point that is worth highlighting is that views in relation to community concerns and the opening hours of local police offices have been listened to and a further example where there will be some changes is the Nightcliff Police Office. There are 3 auxiliaries, who will be commencing training among a group of auxiliaries on 12 September
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this year, and they will be allocated to the local police office at Nightcliff which will enable front counter hours at that office to be extended.
It is also worth while pointing out that, prior to the last election, the government made a commitment in relation to an increase in police numbers and added emphasis on public safety. At present, we have 20 recruits in training. A further 37 police recruits will commence their training in September of this year. I believe they will start on 19 September and, on 12 September, an extra 22 auxiliaries will also commence training. Thus, during this 12-month period, 57 police constables and 22 auxiliaries will undertake training processes. A further recruitment school will begin in January next year.
The community should be well aware now that there will be quite an influx of police over the next 12 months. However, even that will not be sufficient to make a vast difference to the number of police on the road. Another look needs to be taken at management procedures to determine whether the effective use of police can be maximised through changes of the kind suggested by the minister responsible for the Liquor Commission in respect of earlier closing hours for nightclubs. Measures of that kind will make a difference to the way that police are deployed and enable more police to be available in the suburban areas.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I must say that the members for Brennan and Palmerston have been quite active in ensuring that the opening hours of the Palmerston Police Office are appropriate. As honourable members would know, a 9-week trial was run at the local police office at Palmerston during which the station extended its opening hours and carried out an assessment of the sort of activity experienced over those hours. During that trial, the hours were 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 10 pm on Fridays. As a result of that trial, it was found that the busiest time for front counter inquiries was between 4 pm and 6 pm on those days and, as a result, the Palmerston Police Office now operates an opening schedule of 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 8 pm on Fridays.
The other point that is worth highlighting is that views in relation to community concerns and the opening hours of local police offices have been listened to and a further example where there will be some changes is the Nightcliff Police Office. There are 3 auxiliaries, who will be commencing training among a group of auxiliaries on 12 September
Page 72
this year, and they will be allocated to the local police office at Nightcliff which will enable front counter hours at that office to be extended.
It is also worth while pointing out that, prior to the last election, the government made a commitment in relation to an increase in police numbers and added emphasis on public safety. At present, we have 20 recruits in training. A further 37 police recruits will commence their training in September of this year. I believe they will start on 19 September and, on 12 September, an extra 22 auxiliaries will also commence training. Thus, during this 12-month period, 57 police constables and 22 auxiliaries will undertake training processes. A further recruitment school will begin in January next year.
The community should be well aware now that there will be quite an influx of police over the next 12 months. However, even that will not be sufficient to make a vast difference to the number of police on the road. Another look needs to be taken at management procedures to determine whether the effective use of police can be maximised through changes of the kind suggested by the minister responsible for the Liquor Commission in respect of earlier closing hours for nightclubs. Measures of that kind will make a difference to the way that police are deployed and enable more police to be available in the suburban areas.
Page 73
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016