Inverell police are down 13 out of a possible 45 operational police, working at around 28 per cent below their capacity.

Figures show that a total of 45 police should be available for duty in the Inverell district, including the stations of Inverell, Tingha, Bundarra, Delungra and Ashford.

However, with 11 vacant positions within the Inverell district and two constables on light duties prevented from patrol duty, only 32 police are available to carry out active duty within the area.

National Party member of the Legislative Council Rick Colless said the fact that there are three out of four general duties sergeants positions available was of major concern.

“This places a tremendous strain on the remaining sergeant and leaves the three teams short of proper leadership,” he said.

Rick is also concernedthat some of the on going positions available are in specialist areas such as Stock Investigator, Child Protection and Crime Scene officers.

“These areas are the basis of investigative policing in rural and provincial regions,” he said.

Rick also said the fact that vacant positions were advertised and have to be put through the appeals process was a problem that the entire Police Service are facing.

“ By the time positions are filled, other officers have been transferred, retired or resigned so virtually every police station in NSW is always operating under strength,” he said.

Rick said that despite the problems faced by the Inverell Police due to low numbers of staff, their level of service to the community has continued to be of a high standard.

“The Inverell Police should be congratulated for continuing to provide the level of service they have, given the problems they have experienced with numbers over the past two and a half years,” he said.

© 2001 Inverell Times

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