It pays to be united

The United Services Union, the union representing council law enforcement officers, has called on union members and councils not to enforce the confiscation of alcohol in alcohol free zones.

The delegation of powers to councils concerning the enforcement of alcohol free zones to council law enforcement officers is a recent development.  After conducting a major industry study the USU has determined that the safety of council law enforcement officers cannot be guaranteed having regard to:-

• The significant increase in physical and verbal assaults on council law enforcement officers.
• The lack of detail regarding police delegation, training and safety concerns contained in the Ministerial Guidelines on Alcohol Free Zones.
• The absence of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Police Service for co-operation and support concerning council law enforcement services – including absence of emergency call-out and two-way radio backup. 
• The fact that many council law enforcement officers are required to work alone in the absence of a “buddy” system. 
• Lack of suitable protective equipment for council law enforcement officers.
• Lack of suitable professional counselling services for many local government law enforcement officers when needed. 

In the light of these concerns United Services Union has formed the view that confiscation of alcohol and enforcement of alcohol free zones in public areas exposes council law enforcement officers to unreasonably high risks of serious physical and psychological injury. 

The USU recommends that these duties not be performed by its members who are council law enforcement officers.  The Union does recognise the role of council law enforcement officers in liaising with the Police Service concerning breaches of the Local Government Act in relation to alcohol free zones and in planning the regulation of alcohol free zones. 

The USU calls on local councils to support this resolution and pass motions confirming that Council will not instruct council law enforcement officers to exercise these powers on delegation from the NSW Commissioner of Police.