A POLICE FORCE FOR THE FUTURE

The NSW Police Force will be reengineered to prepare it to protect the community into the future, including an increased focus on the evolving terrorism threat and the scourge of ice and other crimes impacting on suburban and regional communities.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant and NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione today announced the first phase of a new and enhanced executive structure which will see the creation of five executive positions reporting directly to the Commissioner.

This will expand deputy numbers from the current three. For the first time there will be a deputy dedicated to counter terrorism and major criminal investigations, and one for regional NSW.

The recruitment process for the new positions will begin immediately. They are:

–                 A Deputy Commissioner for Metropolitan Field Operations

–                 A Deputy Commissioner for Regional NSW Field Operations

–                 A Deputy Commissioner for Investigations and Counter Terrorism;

–                 A Deputy Commissioner for Specialist Support; and

–                 An Executive in charge of Corporate Services.

Mr Grant said these deputies, once appointed, will be in charge of leading further reform in their areas of responsibility to make sure the force’s structure moves with shifting demographics and changing crime trends, including new local and global threats.

“Let me be clear this is not about simply creating more deputies – it’s about making the first significant reforms to the NSW Police Force’s structure in two decades, preparing it to tackle crime and, importantly, prevent it,’’ Mr Grant said.

“Terrorism is a clear and present threat to this state, particularly to a global city such as Sydney, and the nature of the threat constantly evolves – that’s why we need a structure that puts a stronger, refined focus on it.

“Regional communities have their own challenges that are different from the city: the tyranny of distance, the scourge of ice that is tearing towns apart, higher domestic violence rates and rural crime such as stock theft. The regions and Sydney will both benefit from a tailored focus rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

“I’d like to thank the Police Commissioner and the NSW Police Association for their contributions and support of this important step. We took into account international best practice and extensive modelling of the needs of our communities.’’

Commissioner Scipione said: “It has been over 20 years since the last significant changes were made to our structure, and it’s timely to move forward with these reforms’’.

“Our success is built on our commitment to adapt and respond to the changing needs of the community and to tackle new and emerging crimes.

“As an organisation we need to be flexible, agile and responsive to the changing world that we police.

“We will continue to engage closely with the Government and the NSW Police Association on the implementation of the changes.”

Police Association of NSW Vice President Pat Gooley welcomed the announcement, which he said followed strong representations from the association to deliver an improved policing model for the community.

“Reegineering the force is aimed at delivering police on the ground where they’re needed and when they’re needed, which means our communities will reap the safety benefits,’’ Mr Gooley said.
“We look forward to working with the Government and the force as the new structures are developed and implemented.’’