FAT and unfit cops will be denied pay rises and promotion under radical proposals being launched today.
A new report being released by Chief Commissioner Ken Lay also revealed red tape and antiquated systems mean every frontline officer only spends about half of each shift out on patrol.
KEN LAY’S REFORMS: DO YOU WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER COP?
It also recommended copying the ABC show New Tricks by recruiting retired detectives to work on cold-case and other investigations.
Mr Lay’s blueprint for the future direction of the force recommended massive changes to the way police do their job and which jobs they will do.
It will be used to develop a strategic plan on the direction Victoria Police will take between 2015 and 2025.
The Blue Paper recommended:
INTRODUCING formal targets to ensure more women, people born outside Australia and Aborigines are hired so the force better represents the population at large.
GETTING lower paid public servants to do many of the administrative jobs now being done by sworn police so those police can be put on the frontline.
RADICALLY altering police rosters so more of them are available at the times they are needed most.
POSITIONING police based on crime rates and the need for policing activity, rather than at stations historically located largely on population size.
SCRAPPING the industrial agreement that makes it difficult for bosses to move police from one location to another.
OUTSOURCING many of the functions police now do, including manning booze and drug buses, witnessing statutory declarations, processing speeding and other fines, licensing firearms, detaining prisoners in police cells and transporting prisoners, collecting unpaid tolls and providing security at sporting and other public events.
INTRODUCING a truly systemic approach to reducing unethical conduct by police.
ALLOWING direct entry from the private sector into the force at Inspector level and above to broaden the talent pool from which to choose leaders and enhance the organisation’s ability to attract the best commissioned rank officers.
FAST-TRACKING promising constables to Inspector level much quicker than is possible now.
MAKING sure the vast majority of police recruits have degrees.
LINKING pay rises within existing pay bands to performance rather than the current system of automatic progression payments based on length of service.
The Blue paper highlighted the need for police to remain fit and healthy until they retire.
“”Throughout their career police should maintain a physical standard above that of the average member of society,” it recommended.
“The physical standard for police should be set through a scientific analysis of the demands of an operational police officer.
“Physical standards should be confirmed prior to progression payments, promotion, and at biannual operational tactics and safety training requalification, to ensure operational readiness.
“Ensuring that all sworn officers are ready for operational duties, at all times, is essential to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the workforce.”
Source: HeraldSun