One year after the release of the report Moving-On For Safety: The Experiences and Perspectives of Rangers and Parking Patrol Officers in NSW Local Government we take a look at the continued campaign for safety. Since the much publicised launch of the USU report Moving-on for Safety in July 2009, council officers with law enforcement functions have continued to be on the receiving end of aggression and abuse by members of the public.
General Secretary Ben Kruse launches the report in 2009
The Union has continued to draw the attention of the local government industry to the nature and extent of the problem. While much more activity is still required, the list below provides some indication of the type of action taken in an effort to improve safety outcomes.
USU Rangers & Parking Patrol Officer Reference Group The Reference Group has been active in assisting the Union develop safety strategies and lobby for improvement.
USU Rangers & Parking Patrol Officer Reference Group
Community education - agitating for change The Union has sought to draw attention to the positive role of the officers and demand improvements in safety. Findings from the Moving-on report continued to be referred to in the media 10 months after the release of the report.
The Union has also drawn attention to the findings in several forums including meetings with Councilsafe and Workcover.
Complaints about the Media On several occasions the media has been a major part of the problem. The Union and members of the Reference Group have written letters of complaint to particular broadcasters.
Confiscation of Alcohol The USU wrote letters of concern to State Members of Parliament about legislation which “empowers” council officers to confiscate alcohol in Alcohol Free Zones.
The Union wrote to every council in the state expressing concern about the safety risks associated with enforcement of Alcohol Free Zones. The Union asked every council for their position on the issue. Of the 79 councils which responded to the Union survey, 76% said that they will commit to officer safety by not requiring council officers to confiscate alcohol in AFZ.
The results of the survey were sent back to the councils and state MPs and made available on the USU website.
Since last year the NSW government has further extended council officer “power” to confiscate alcohol in Alcohol Free Areas without any evident commitment to safety improvement.
Review of Special Constables The USU with assistance from members of the Reference Group, contributed to Unions NSW submission to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Review of Special Constables. Whilst the Union emphasised the need for safety improvements the Government does not appear to have taken the safety issues on board as yet.
Industry taskforce In August 2009, the USU wrote to key organisations inviting them to participate in an industry taskforce to work on strategies to reduce the incidence of violence and abuse. The invitation was met with a positive response and the first meeting was held in November 2009.
Active members of the taskforce include representatives from the following organisations:
United Services Union
Australian Institute of Local Government Rangers (Inc.)
Australian National Parking Steering Group (NSW)
Workcover
Local Government & Shires Association
Councilsafe
SSROC Regulatory Management Working Group
Some councils – e.g. Sydney City Council, North Sydney Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Sutherland Council and others.
The group met on 3 occasions. Whilst the first meeting reflected some enthusiasm about being able to work together to achieve goals, the Union has been disappointed with the slow nature of progress.
Local Government (State) Award The USU has included occupational health and safety issues in the Union’s log of claims for a new Local Government (State) Award. This award is currently under negotiation.
Survey of Councils – Risk Assessment In June 2010 the USU wrote to every council in NSW regarding rangers, animal control officers and parking patrol officers. The survey requested information about the positions and information relating to the following:
whether safety risk assessments have been undertaken by the council for the positions,
what strategies the councils have in place to reduce violence and aggression,
what physical or psychological injuries or illnesses staff have suffered as a result of violence, aggression or other forms of abuse directed at the officers.
Information from councils was still being received by the Union at the time this update was prepared.
For further information on any of these items, please contact Lyn Fraser, USU Research Officer 02 92658211.
