Policing can offer a highly rewarding and satisfying career. But are we doing enough to attract people to the profession?
It’s hoped a groundbreaking new pay deal announced by the New South Wales (NSW) government will help attract and retain police officers in the state.
Under the new deal, NSW police are set to become the highest paid in the nation. This historic agreement will mark the largest pay increase for NSW police officers in the past three decades.
So, what’s included in the new deal and what impact will it have?
What’s included in the new deal?
The new pay deal is currently under review and is scheduled to be voted on by members next month. If accepted, it is slated to include:
· Pay increase: NSW officers will receive a pay rise of up to 40%. More than 10,000 constables, senior constables and sergeants will receive increases of at least 25% before shift allowances. This will lead to a pay rise of up to $47,000 for some officers.
· Simplified pay scales: Under the new deal, pay scales have been restructured. It will now be easier for officers to advance through the pay scales, with a response officer reaching the top level of senior constable in 10 years, compared to the previous 15. Under the changes, the salary of a level 3 senior constable will increase from $107,600 to $146,600 by mid-2027.
· New incentive payments: Senior officers will receive $5,400 leadership retention payments, and first-year officers will receive training allowances.
· Back pay: The new deal also includes back pay to 1 July.
What will be the impact?
It is hoped the new offer will help address police shortages in the state. While NSW has the largest number of police officers in the country, it is operating at several thousand officers short of full strength. Vacancies currently make up 12 per cent of the state’s police force. The shortage of officers has impacted the level of service the police force is able to provide. For example, there has been a decrease in the number of urgent response calls answered within the target time frame.
A memo written by a senior police officer and leaked to The Daily Telegraph reveals experienced detectives have been forced to respond to triple zero calls due to a severe lack of general duties officers. According to the memo, this has impacted the police’s ability to implement crime prevention strategies.
The new pay deal is more generous than those offered to other public sector unions in the state. It comes on the back of the government’s recent decision to award a significant pay rise to the state’s teachers. The NSW Teachers Federation recently approved a wage rise of 9 per cent over three years. The government is currently locked in an industrial dispute with the state’s nurses, who are also demanding a significant pay increase.
Meanwhile, Victorian Police are preparing to initiate stop-work action as part of a long-running dispute with the state government over pay and conditions. They recently rejected a 16 per cent pay rise over four years.
Police officers put their lives on the line for us every day, so it is only fair they are appropriately remunerated.
A career in policing can be highly rewarding and satisfying.
If you are considering a career in the NSW police force, Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services tailored to police, including our resume and selection criteria writing service.
Article References
Deery, S (11 November 2024) ‘Victoria Police officers preparing to strike in their fight for more pay as long-running dispute continues’, Herald Sun, accessed 12 November 2024.
Hair, J (11 November 2024) ‘NSW police officers offered pay rise of up to 39pc in ‘highest increase in last 30 years’’, ABC News, accessed 12 November 2024.
Hanrahan, C, Lathouris, O & Burrows, C (28 September 2024) ‘Police officers overworked as unfilled vacancies and sick leave surge, driving thousands to leave the force’, ABC News, accessed 12 November 2024.
O’Doherty, J (7 November 2024) ‘Senior cop issues desperate plea for more staff in explosive leaked briefing’, Daily Telegraph, accessed 12 November 2024.
The Guardian (28 September 2024) ‘NSW police win pay rises of up to 40% in biggest wage increase in 30 years’, The Guardian, accessed 12 November 2024.