2 minute read
Coronavirus - Policing like never before
Daly River biosecurity checkpoint - taken by PSO Lynden Moss, AFP
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic came at us with barely a warning. We have seen virus outbreaks before, but the restrictions that were required, and the urgency behind them, left policing at the forefront of not just community safety, but also a global health emergency.
BY PAUL MCCUE
PSO Lynden Moss, AFP - Daly River biosecurity checkpoint
The response by government was swift and necessary, albeit driven Federally, as you would expect. The National Cabinet made some early decisions and the Chief Minister chose to implement some of the earliest border and biosecurity restrictions in the country. So, what did this mean? It means our Police, Aboriginal Community Police, and Auxiliaries have stepped up to the plate, in a manner never seen before. We’ve previously witnessed devastating natural disasters, be it bushfires, floods or cyclones, where a coordinated response has been swift and effective, but the event itself has generally been relatively short lived. This unprecedented emergency has commanded the same response, but one which will need to be sustained for months to come. Wholesale cancellation of leave, boosting of core frontline policing, and a temporary change to 12 hours rosters were all hastily implemented following restrictions announced by the government. Your Association was briefed early on to work through the industrial issues as best as possible, given the tight timeframes. Concerns arose from some of our permanent remote
members regarding the Biosecurity Act restrictions, and their inability to come and go from the remote communities as needed. Exemptions were put in place to allow members to apply, on a case-by-case basis, to leave the community for non-operational reasons, and Divisional officers worked hard to provide alternatives for additional supplies for those members. It is hoped these restrictions will lift soon. With remote officers in other states such as Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia all experiencing similar challenges with restricted movement, it demonstrates the incredible sacrifice police across the country have made during this pandemic response. Visits by NTPA representatives to Vehicle Control Points to support our members who are working alongside Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force personnel, provided an opportunity to liaise with members on their locations, facilities, how the roster was affecting them, and any concerns they had. We have collected a few pictures along the way, and we thank those members who have provided some of their own. An incredible job done by you all, and one you should all be incredibly proud of.
Arnhem highway on way back from shady camp patrol - Dan Leighton
