Vic: Third police station closes overnight

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2001
Vic: Third police station closes overnight

MELBOURNE, Aug 14 AAP - A third police station was closed overnight as the first industrial
action taken by Victoria's police for 25 years moved into its second day.

The St Kilda Road police station, which covers the central business district to East
Melbourne, was shut along with Rosebud in Melbourne's south and Boronia station in Melbourne's
outer-east.

Union officials have demanded a wage increase of between 13 and 39 per cent to bring
Victorian police into line with officers in NSW.

Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said public safety would not be risked and
if a major accident, such as the multiple car pile-up which occurred on the Princes Freeway
this morning, happened near a closed police station, it would be attended to as normal.

"Our members would've prioritised as they have been doing over the last four to five
years to attend incidents like that," Mr Mullett told ABC radio.

"It's the lower priority incidents that wouldn't be attended to for some time. But
we must reassure the community that in incidents that affect the health, safety or welfare
of any member of the community, our members will be there ASAP," Mr Mullett said.

Police have instigated 22 work bans, including bans on one-man shifts, processing speed
and red-light camera film, transporting and dispensing medication to prisoners and communicating
by e-mail.

Mr Mullett said the bans would continue and police would end up leaving the force if
their demands were not met.

"The main thrust of our bans is to expose the lack of police resources that have been
in the state for the last four or five years," he said.

"Really it has been the determination of our members, to their credit, that any service
has been delivered."

Police Minister Andre Haermeyer yesterday said officers had been offered a pay rise
of between 12 and 24 per cent depending on their ranking and years in service.

He said the offer would be withdrawn if the dispute ended up in court.

AAP svm/clr/phI

KEYWORD: POLICE VIC SECOND DAYLEAD

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