This page last updated: 27.08.08

1) Law enforcement reforms - The Aegis Security 10 point plan

2) Police link - interesting idea from Queensland - 27.08.08

Industry Reforms

The following is our 10 point plan to improve the physical security industry as well as improve law enforcement to all Victorians.

1. Enact specific security industry legislation. There is plenty of legislation defing who can be a Security Officer but nothing that we can really look at and use that defines what a Security Officer can or cannot do. There is no specific power of arrest for security officers. We use the same general power as every other Victorian. Why in 2008 do we still use the same powers as general public. Surely it would be better to enact legislation giving security officers a specific power of arrest, power of detention, finds committing. Something that can be taught, learned and must be quoted and known by all in the industry.

2. Move Victoria Police emphasis to investigate car thefts and household & business burglary. There needs to be a recognition that the local "divy" van, the real work horse of a local police station cannot stop crimes or anti social behaviour when groups of people can move around this city and state using the vast network of freeways and tollways. We need a group of 5 x 100 police divisions not bound by local area but mobile in metro Melbourne with 1 on duty at all times to move around and deal with local trouble spots. Further we need another mobile unit for the country areas and another to support force to plan deployments when times are quieter and to train new officers. Lets start tackling crimes including the noise, graffitti and vandalism.

3. Create "Local Jails" for people who have committed non violent, first offences. Short term deprivation of liberty as punishment for "breaking the law". Fines, community based orders, suspended sentances are all available but seem to lack any real substance. Community Based Orders can be rorted so easily that it is a joke. Fines for people with no money on welfare...is reduced to nothing more than a couple of dollars a week extra taken out of payment or to people with a large amount of money, irrelevant. Local jails with no more than 35 beds, maximum 1 month we believe are a better option to stopping repeat minor offenders annoying the rest of the community.

4. Enact different levels of "Law Enforcement" in Victoria that recognises the various roles played by Police, the courts, security and other law enforcement people including those who have the right to enter private property to take meter readings. We suggest 9 levels of law enforcement each with their own defined powers/roles. Level 1 the Chief Law Officer for the State, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court etc to Level 3, Chief Commissioner and her deputys. Level 4 - senior officers and ranking non commissioned officers who have received and passed certain training courses. Level 5 confirmed Police Officers, Sheriffs Officers Level 6 Probationary Police, Sheriff Officers II, certain Security Officers with appropriate qualifications. Level 7 Police Recruits, Security Officers with certain levels, Civic Complaince, Council Rangers, Level 8 & 9 for people who have the legal right to enter a property and who can show they have the appropriate training and skills.

5. Create a new type of "Gated Community" - those without internal guards, allowing people to move freely around inside their prison 24/7 but keeping these people away from the general public. A real "gated community". A gated community with no rules and no one to enforce the rules. Its time to realise that certain people chose not to live within the general rules of society. Move them to their own area where they can live like they like without rules.

To place someone in this Gated Community strict rules and limits to apply. Long process of warnings, official warning, court case with judicial review. This is the place for Victoria's worst serial pests. None payment of fines, driving whilst disqualified, driving unregistered vehicles, habitual drink driving, the trashing of or non payment of rent and rented homes. People who just dont give a dam about anyone else. Essentially give people who dont want to live in society and chance to change and live with the rest of move to their own area free of any rules and restrictions... other than the fact they cannot leave the compound.

6. Recruit over 5 years 800 sheriffs officers. Place 1 sheriffs officer in each 24 hour police station across the state to takeover the care and management of prisioners held in each watchhouse. The advantage being Sheriffs report to Court officials not police. Ensure all rights of those detained are adhered to. The other advantage is this will free up some 400-500 trained police officers across the state to move into front line operations. Less cost to employee Sheriffs officers and puts trained Police Officers on the beat rather than behind the desks.

7. Power to detain. Give Security Officers the power to detain people rather than arrest them. Once details can be established the detained person can be released or if no co-operation forthcoming the Security Officer shall hand over the person to Police to establish at least their identity.

8. Recognise that Victoria Police is the only government agency with the power to inflict offensive force. (Armed security officers can defend themselves but cannot take offensive action) We define offensive action such as breaking into a locked premises, arresting people on warrant, something that iniates action that could result in injury to persons and or property.  If that recognition is made then build a department to carryout that mandate.  In other words enforce minimium height standards. Enforce standards of physical fitness. 

The Police Department is not a job for anyone.  Sure people have a right to become a Police Officer but people also have more rights that once Police are called they can deal with a situation of potential violence and not place people in more danger than they need be.  How soon will it before one small female police officer has to use her firearm to stop what any male officer of normal height and fitness could do with a bit of strength. 

9. Create a Civic Complaince Corps. See also reform number 4. People may not understand that many different individuals have the "right" to enter your property and infact have more power than Police (in certain circumstances). Secondly Police should not be involved in complaince with non criminal offences such as breaches of Shop Trading Reform Act 1996. Why should Police waste their time and resources dealing with an issue as a shop trader open outside the legal trading hours? Surely a better unit is a "civic" complaince corps to deal with such issues including checking second hand dealers, motor car traders etc etc. Any criminal activities found can be reported to Police for follow up.

10. Each local council to create their own precinct type unarmed police service, Council Rangers. Not just parking officers. A 24 hour, 7 day a week group to respond to local issues. Council by laws must be enforced. Many issues which upset people are noise complaints, youths causing trouble, following up with Police issues and try and get complaince for everyone to live in mutually acceptable manner. A small group of people chose to live life disregarding everyone else. Action must be taken in an attempt to seek complaince. If people chose to continue to ignore and flaunt the general rules for acceptable behaviour, they should be moved to "living prisions" See reform number 5. There they can live without rules because there will be nobody inside the large open area to enforce any rules.

Policelink

Queensland police to use civilians to handle 70% of cases

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