Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1290 ..
Mr Hargreaves
asked the Minister for Justice and Community Safety, upon notice, on 22 April 1999:In relation to AFP wide-load vehicle escorts on 16 and 17 April 1999.
1. Is it the case that in these recent instances, rather than using traffic motorcyclist police, the AFP instead redirected general duties patrols from their normal community policing tasks, if so
(a) why did this happen; and
(b) what effect did the reduction of these police patrols have on the Canberra community.
2. Does the AFP's new Traffic Management Plan address wide-load escorts.
Mr Humphries: The answers to Mr Hargreaves' questions are as follows:
1(a) There were no police motorcyclists working at the time of the escorts. The skills required for the escort did not require specialist members and the
operation was completed without incident.
(b) This action had no adverse effect on the Canberra Community. The escorts took place at 3.45am which is a quiet time and there were several other patrols on duty in a position to respond to any incidents occurring. In addition, the use of the members from the patrol allows skills to be practiced and the decision was supported by the supervisor and traffic team leader.
2. No, however, when a request is received for escorting wide-loads at the AFP Major Events and Traffic Support, that request is forwarded to the relevant patrol district for attention and action. The co-ordinator of that patrol makes the decision as to how the escort is best performed.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .