There are no road closures or community alerts.

Budget Strategies

Radio Dispatch Services (RDS) Operations

(10 May 2012)

There has been no reduction in staff numbers in Radio Dispatch Services. RDS is staffed by 59 Full Time Equivalent positions and that has been the case since 2009.

The role of RDS is to provide the link between the community and the police services they need. RDS staff ensure operational safety is paramount and perform routine database checks where possible. Those include vehicle registration, licence and background checks.


To ensure safety of the community and officers, during exceptionally busy operational periods the RDS supervisor will advise members via radio that RDS is temporarily unable to perform routine checks.

“This is standard operating procedure and has been for many years. Tasmania Police does not accept that operational safety is compromised by these procedures,” said Assistant Commissioner, Donna Adams.

Officers are able to obtain the information in several other ways; via mobile data terminals in police vehicles, through traffic administration staff or Crime Management Units, or they are able to make the checks on return to the station.

“The Police Association accused DPEM of failing to secure a ‘special deal’ with Telstra to ensure constant coverage. There is simply no such deal available to any Telstra customer,” said Ms Adams.

“Staff in Radio Dispatch provide a professional service and to suggest its operational procedures pose a threat to members is both incorrect and undeserved.

“The safety of officers and the community is always a priority and the Association undermines confidence in the service when it suggests otherwise,” said Ms Adams.

Tasmania Police is yet to be formally advised the Association intends to take these issues to the Industrial Commission.

Road safety a priority

(28 March 2012)

The Department of Police and Emergency Management continues to investigate measures to progress the budget savings strategy.

To realise a more efficient speed camera regime, civilian operators will be replaced by sworn officers and automatic mode arrangements.

The anticipated savings from this decision is $800,000 each year commencing in the 2012-2013 financial year.

The 11 civilian camera operators have been assisted with employment options through the DPEM and government vacancy management processes.  To date, four positions are vacant and will not be filled, 2 operators will be redeployed, 4 have accepted redundancies and 1 position remains undecided.  (Those positions are 3 from Western District, 3 from Northern District, 3 from Eastern District and 2 from Southern District.)

“Road safety is a core function of policing and it’s entirely appropriate that uniformed officers will assume control of speed camera operations,” said Assistant Commissioner Donna Adams.

“Police officers are able to respond to high speed incidents where civilian operators cannot and this approach is consistent with our policy of high visibility policing to reduce serious and fatal crashes,” said Ms Adams.

Tasmania Police has a deployment strategy for speed cameras, which provides the Districts with options which include the possibility of using the cameras on “automatic mode” without the need for an operator at all times.

“The deployment of speed cameras in each District is strategic, targeting serious and fatal crash zones, and that will continue regardless of whether cameras are operated by a police officer or in automatic mode.”

Speed enforcement isn’t just about using speed cameras; it’s about a whole range of strategies and a whole range of different equipment to maximise road safety outcomes.

Our road safety initiatives include:

  • The clamping and confiscation of vehicles belonging to dangerous or reckless drivers.
  • 16 high visibility police vehicles and replacing the markings on the entire uniformed fleet with a more reflective chequer and fluorescent stripes.
  • Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras which identify vehicles of interest including unregistered vehicles, disqualified drivers and unlicensed drivers.
  • In 2010-11 police conducted 276 major traffic operations and more than 1,200 district traffic operations.

Officers Seconded to State Service Positions

(11 January 2012)

The Department of Police and Emergency Management continues to investigate measures to progress the budget savings strategy.

The Department has met targets for state service reductions but remains over its funded allocation for police officers.

“Our preference would be, where practical, to second non-operational members or other members on restricted duties into these positions” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Geoff Smith.

“Given that this is a relicensing year, there was always going to be a requirement for an increase in the number of staff within Firearm Services.

“The secondment of three sworn officers to assist firearm services is estimated to be for about 12 months, after which they will return to policing duties.

“It’s important to note that these are secondments, and not permanent transfers.”

The three officers are expected to be seconded from the Southern region.

The savings of not having to employ 3 civilian state service officers is approximately $132,000.

Vehicle Rationalisation Strategy

(23 November 2011)

The Department of Police and Emergency Management is in the process of implementing a vehicle rationalisation strategy as part of budget-driven efficiencies.

Usage analysis of the 389 vehicles in the police fleet indicates that a number of vehicles are not fully utilised and as a result there will be a reduction in the fleet size.

Eleven vehicles have been identified for immediate disposal. These vehicles are from administrative areas, or areas with a reduced need for vehicles as a result of having less staff.  For example, some vehicles are coming from the Police Academy, the now-closed Avoca station and soon-to-be-closed Cold Case Unit.  Commanders from the geographical districts and Operations Support have been asked to identify two further vehicles within their districts to be disposed of this financial year, and to identify two additional vehicles for next financial year. In total, this will reduce the fleet by 31 vehicles.  Commanders are being consulted to accommodate priority areas and ensure that the least utilised vehicles are nominated.

Commencing in 2012, Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore vehicles will be restricted to general duties and traffic members, and lease periods will be increased from 60,000 to 90,000 kilometres. Most other areas will be allocated four cylinder vehicles.

The rationalisation of the police vehicle fleet is one of a number of non-salary based strategies intended to contribute to the department’s budget targets.

Avoca Station to close

(4 October 2011)

The Campbell Town subdivision is to assume responsibility for policing of the Avoca region.

The Commissioner of Police, Darren Hine, said the decision to close the Avoca Police Station from mid October had not been taken lightly.

“It’s a move that we have given serious consideration to and we have been consulting with the community over the possible closure of the station,” Mr Hine said.

“Tasmania Police has listened to community concerns and we have also undertaken research looking at whether the region could be adequately serviced by other nearby stations, which already occurs if the Avoca officer is attending another job or on a day off,” Mr Hine said.

Factors considered by Tasmania Police in making the decision included population and demographics of the region and the number of incidents and offences reported to police over the last 10 years.

“We are confident that the township can be provided with safe, effective and efficient policing services from Deloraine Division, which includes Campbell Town subdivision and station 35 kilometres away,” Mr Hine said.  “Backup can and will be provided from Fingal or St Marys when required, 24 hours a day.”

The Avoca station is staffed by one police officer. The position has been vacant for the past eight months, with officers seconded to fill the position.

The station will close from October the 14th.  However the station’s telephone number will remain current for approximately six weeks after this date, with calls diverted to Radio Dispatch Services to allow a prompt response.

“Unfortunately Tasmania Police is not immune from budget cuts and we have to make reductions,” Mr Hine said.  “Our focus remains on high visibility community policing and we are confident that this can still be achieved with the Avoca region being covered by the Deloraine division.”

A number of positions have been identified in the districts as part of the first year budget reductions including the removal of one position at each of the following locations: Glenorchy CIB, Western PORT, Eastern Community Policing and Marine (Operations Support).  The removal of these positions coincides with vacancies that have occurred and have been subject to vacancy control for some time or will not be filled when a vacancy next occurs.

“It’s important to again stress that it’s positions and not people which are being cut as we work to try and achieve the challenges presented by a budget reduction,” Mr Hine said.  “However, every effort is being made to ensure continued and efficient service delivery with minimal impact on the community.”

Budget Strategies

(16 June 2011)

The Department of Police and Emergency Management has developed a number of strategies to meet the challenge presented by a budget reduction in 2011-12 of $8.125 million.

Over the next financial year the operational strength of Tasmania Police will be reduced by 50 positions.  This includes most of the 30 additional positions allocated for next financial year which have already been withdrawn.   Since 2006 the operational strength of Tasmania Police has been 1,198 and the new model brings the strength back to 1,178.

“Tasmania Police is not immune from budget cuts.  The reduction in police numbers will be achieved through natural attrition and it is important to stress that it is the positions, not individuals, which are being cut,” said the Commissioner of Police, Darren Hine.

The reductions will include five Inspector positions.  This will be achieved from support positions where possible and through the amalgamation of several roles.

“The Cold Case Unit will be wound up after completing its current case load and the five officers redeployed.  While the unit has been an asset to Tasmania Police, the current budget climate dictates the cases be taken over by CIB,” said Mr Hine.

“Our focus remains on high visibility community policing.  While it’s unrealistic to expect the changes will be made without impact every effort will be made to ensure continued efficient service delivery.”

Recruiting remains on hold for now, but remains under review subject to savings and the level of natural attrition.

There will be a reduction of 20 State Service positions.   It is anticipated this will also be achieved through natural attrition and significant interest has already been shown in the Workforce Renewal Incentive Program.  There will be consultation with the CPSU to minimise the impact of the reductions on State Service employees.

Other strategies for savings include opportunities for bulk purchasing arrangements with other jurisdictions, sharing administrative resources and premises with other agencies and a review of the vehicle fleet.

The success of the 2011-12 budget savings measures will determine our future strategy.

“At this stage we anticipate a total reduction of approximately 100 police positions and 30 state service positions over the next four years.  This may change depending on the reforms and efficiencies we achieve,” said Mr Hine.

For further detail on the DPEM budget strategy refer to the below fact sheets:

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