Country police needs stressed

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 4

Country police needs stressed

PA | Wellington Country police officers should be given greater compensation for the particular problems they face, the Police Association says. 11.1 The association is about to file a list.of demands with Police Commissioner Mai Churches based on a 12-month survey of sole and double-charge police stations. ; About 300 officers were [involved. J' ,| ( i i It wants some practical and monetary Steps taken [to improve Conditions for country police • officers, the association’s industrial advocate, Mr I Graham Harding, = says! lit is asking that the allowance paid to police in sole charge areas of $6.90 !per day be increased to about $2O. 1 [ "There was a time when being a country cop was considered a good job - — it didn’t have the warts and nasty happenings that occur in the city,” Mr Harding said, i | "Now they’re a common occurrence. ■ | “Some traditional nice

country areas are! now hotbeds of criminal activity.” | . | The rural downturn and generally higher unemployment in [ rural [areas were added problems,: he said. The association listed several factors for Mr Churches to consider that emerged from its survey. 1 These include: ;; : H . • The role of officers’! partners, in most cases wives. The ( association estimates wives and fami-[ lies spend one hour a day every day on [police work.! • Officers'; housing arrangements.! | In some cases only minimal [facilities were provided, Mr Harding said. • The remoteness of the job. [ | ■l|| i i • Car requirements. All too often ’ country police; received “city cast-offs” when they needed newer, more reliable vehicles. Mr Harding said he was not asking for anything unrealistic, and he 1 expected.- an answer | from Mr. 4fAurches before, the end Gh the year. I |