Latest news with #frontlineofficers
ABC News
15-07-2025
- ABC News
Queensland Police Service 100-day review finds officers 'suffering burnout'
Queensland police officers are "stretched", "fatigued" and "suffering burnout" with many doing jobs of other government departments instead of protecting the community, a major review has found. The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has handed down its 100-day review into its workforce which contained 65 recommendations. Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy said the review found staff were overworked and needed more support on the frontline. "This year we will see our staff attending to over 60,000 mental health calls for service. "That's in addition to the work that our staff do every day in keeping the community safe by arresting offenders and attending to calls for service." Acting Commissioner Chelepy said the review provided an "honest assessment" of the organisation and he accepted each of the recommendations. He said a key recommendation of the report is to restructure the QPS to allow frontline officers to have greater access to welfare and mental health support services. Under the proposed changes frontline officers will also have more autonomy to make decisions. "Decisions that affect the frontline and the decisions that affect the way that we deliver our policing services in our regions and in our stations shouldn't be made by Brisbane," Acting Commissioner Chelepy said. The review also found need to "realign the organisation" to focus on its core business of policing and keeping the community safe. "It finds that we're doing jobs that we shouldn't be doing," Acting Commissioner Chelepy said. "There's functions here where we have highly trained, very important, paid, sworn police officers doing that they don't need police powers to do." Under the restructure, the executive leadership team will also be scaled back, with resources rediverted to support its frontline staff. Acting Commissioner Chelepy said while it could take years to implement all of the recommendations, he conceded the issues facing officers are not unique to Queensland. "This is something that all police commissioners in Australia are grappling with… in fact, if you go into the UK you will see that these are also things that the UK have been dealing with." The review was conducted by the QPS commission and internal review team. There were more than 500 submissions made by police and 170 engagement focus groups and roundtables were conducted. Police Minister Dan Purdie said the government would work with the QPS to deliver its recommendations. "We need to return our police back to being a world class policing organisation and this report is the first step in doing that," he said. Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said the review showed the force had "lost its way" due to significant job creep. "Police in this state are doing every other government department's job," he said. Mr Prior said he wanted the role of police in transporting and guarding prisoners to be limited. He told ABC Radio Brisbane the current situation was putting the community in danger because police were unable to attend the "jobs [they] need to". For example, he said at any one time, there could be up to 200 unresolved jobs in places like Logan that officers simply could not get to.
CNA
01-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Certis says sick leave policy designed to address system misuse, not to penalise employees
SINGAPORE: Security firm Certis said on Tuesday (Jul 1) that its medical leave policy was designed to address instances of system misuse, and not to penalise employees. 'The aim is to ensure fairness and maintain operational readiness, especially amid ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining officers in a tight labour market. The policy helps us address rostering challenges and mitigate manpower shortages, as we ensure the safety and well-being of our stakeholders,' said a spokesperson. Details of the company's sick leave policy made headlines recently, with requirements for staff to remain at home or to share their "live" location via digital devices. 'We wish to clarify that the policy applies only to our frontline officers. We conduct care visits only under compelling circumstances, such as when officers are on frequent or extended medical leave,' Certis said on Tuesday. 'These visits can be to the officers' homes, or to the hospitals if they are hospitalised. Furthermore, supervisors will remain available if our officers require any assistance.' The spokesperson added that the intent of such follow-ups was not punitive. It was instead to understand if its officers require further support and also to help manage manpower planning. 'In vast majority of the cases where medical leave is genuinely taken, such visits are often well-received by our officers,' said Certis. 'We have encountered a very small number of cases where individuals have misused medical leave. For instance, there have been situations where officers took MCs to travel overseas. These irresponsible behaviours affect overall team resourcing and are unfair to colleagues who need to cover additional shifts.' Certis also said that it understands that there have been rumours of employees being terminated solely as a result of non-compliance to these policies. 'We firmly reject these rumours. Termination of employment is decided upon the severity of an officer's misconduct, such as proven malingering, and only taken as a last resort after an extensive and fair process. 'Since recent media reports, Certis has been actively engaging with our union partner, the Union of Security Employee. We are working with USE to review the current processes around the care visits, and will partner them to strengthen our engagement with employees to ensure greater clarity around our policies and to reinforce our commitment to fair and respectful treatment of all staff.' The spokesperson added that Certis acknowledges its frontline roles can be physically demanding and challenging. 'We deeply value the efforts of our officers on the ground and recognise the importance of supporting their health and well-being.'
South China Morning Post
30-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong sea patrol officers to use body cameras to help in investigations
Sea patrol officers from Hong Kong's Marine Department will start using body cameras from Tuesday to help them perform their duties more effectively. Frontline officers of the harbour patrol section across all districts would be fully equipped with the devices to help in investigations, evidence collection, and document maritime conditions during major events at sea for safety purposes, a department spokesman said on Monday. Other government departments that have equipped frontline officers with body-worn cameras include police, the Correctional Services Department and hawker control teams under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Between January and June, the Marine Department conducted a field trial in the waters around Victoria Harbour to assess the effectiveness of the cameras. The evaluation showed that the use of body-worn video devices significantly improved both the accuracy and quality of evidence collection, offering practical insights for future investigations, the department added. To support the roll-out, guidelines have been drawn up. Officers are required to wear uniforms and mount the cameras in a clearly visible position while on duty.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police issue update as officer injured after being reversed into in hit-and-run
An investigation remains ongoing after a driver 'reversed into' a police sergeant multiple times, leaving him requiring hospital treatment. Greater Manchester Police said the sergeant was rushed to hospital on Friday, May 30, following a hit-and-run in Frodsham Street, Rusholme. The officer was trapped between the car involved and another vehicle, crushing his legs, before the driver fled the scene. READ MORE: Streets taped off near Greater Manchester town centre after man 'slashed' READ MORE: 'This is war... lines have been crossed, all my condolences to your family' In an update issued today (June 16), police confirmed that an investigation was still taking place. A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, dangerous driving and failing to stop. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries, GMP says. Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said following the incident: "This incident is a reminder of the risks that our frontline officers face daily as they go about their duties to keep communities safe and respond to incidents. "Assaults on officers are wholly unacceptable and take them away from being able to serve and protect the public, which is what they come to work each shift to do. Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE "An investigation is now underway, and we'd like to thank those who have already come forward with information about the incident, and to those in the area who may have been impacted by the emergency response. "Our priority is the wellbeing of the injured officer, and I wish him a speedy recovery as we look to pursue justice. "Anyone who has not yet spoken to us, but has information, CCTV or dash-cam footage of the incident, or the moments before and after, can contact us on 101 quoting log 2828 of 30/05/25." --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
The Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Police officer hospitalised after being crushed between two cars
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault, dangerous driving, and failure to stop after a Greater Manchester Police sergeant was injured in an alleged hit-and-run incident in Rusholme. The incident occurred on Frodsham Street at 6pm on Friday, where a car reportedly "reversed into the officer several times" before fleeing the scene. The injured sergeant is currently receiving hospital treatment for his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker has condemned the assault, emphasising the risks faced by frontline officers and assuring that an investigation is underway to bring the perpetrator to justice. Police are appealing to the public for any CCTV or dash cam footage of the incident or the moments leading up to and following it, urging them to call 101 and quote log 2828 of 30/05/25.
