The thin blue line is getting thinner in the Hawkesbury, with local police numbers currently sitting at nine per cent below capacity, according to the Police Association of NSW.
Hawkesbury Police Association branch official William Andrews said local police were at breaking point because of the State Government’s refusal to fill the region’s ‘ghost cop’ positions, which describes stations where police numbers have been allocated but actual officers have not been assigned.
“In Hawkesbury Police Area Command, we have eight unfilled, redeployed or long term sick positions. This leaves Hawkesbury Police Area Command operating at nine per cent below the government’s allocated front line police for this area,” he said in a statement.
“Some of these officers have been redeployed to specialist units such as counter terrorism, cybercrime and to bolster road policing – incredibly important projects – but by leaving positions unfilled, we are putting undue pressure on frontline police and hampering their ability to protect the local community. These are the police that respond to calls from members of the public.
“Despite the Hawkesbury command encompassing the largest geographical area in metropolitan Sydney, it has the lowest authorised strength with 88 positions.
“All of these ‘ghost cop’ positions mean fewer police on the road doing the important work within our community.”
Hawkesbury MP Dominic Perrottet has responded saying supporting police was a priority for the government, with record funding for the NSW Police Force allocated in this year’s state budget.
“Ensuring we support our men and women in blue is a priority for the NSW Government,” he said in a statement to the Gazette
“That is why we delivered a record $3.9 billion budget for the NSW Police Force in 2018-19 including funding for an additional 100 extra police.”
Figures provided by the association stated the local area has gone from three operating police stations and 86 police positions in 1999 to two stations and 80 police on the ground in September 2018.
In the same period, the population served by the local force jumped from 51,272 to 64,592, Mr Andrews said.
“Local police are reaching breaking point,” he stated. “Not only do these ‘ghost cop’ positions need to be filled as a matter of priority, the Hawkesbury needs a boost in authorised positions.
“We know the population is growing. The Hawkesbury Commander Superintendent Stewart does a great job but does not have the staff needed to service the area effectively.
“Many officers live within the community and know what resources are needed. We need to invest in new police just to maintain the sort of protection our community expects and deserves.
“More police on the street mean less crime on the street.”
The local action is part of the association’s statewide campaign calling for an additional 2500 officers. A petition to Police Minister Troy Grant has been posted on the association’s website.
