PAUL GALE President
Annual Conference – President’s Address Good morning. My name is Paul Gale, and I am the President of the WA Police Union. On behalf of staff and the Board of Directors of the Union, I welcome you to the 87th Annual Conference of the WA Police Union. The Platinum Sponsor of this year’s conference is P&N Bank, and the theme is ‘financial planning’.
As I delve into the importance of financial planning, I want to highlight the main point of my speech, which is “distinguishing the difference between police and the public service”.
This year’s theme differentiates us from other years as we don’t consider how crucial financial planning is. Our brave members dedicate their lives to protecting the community, often facing high stress situations and unexpected challenges. Policing is a demanding profession, and the risk of injury or disability is higher compared to many other occupations. A well-thought-out financial plan provides a safety net for officers and their families, ensuring they can continue to meet their financial obligations. Policing can be unpredictable, and emergencies can arise at any time. Having an emergency fund as part of a financial plan ensures that officers can cover unexpected expenses without resorting to high-interest loans or credit card debt. Police work often involves early retirement options due to physical demands and pension plans. Effective financial planning helps officers make informed decisions about when to retire, ensuring they have the financial means to enjoy their retirement years comfortably. As I delve into the importance of financial planning, I want to highlight the main point of my speech, which is “distinguishing the difference between police and the public service”.
RISK AND DANGER Being a Police Officer myself, I understand the daily risks our members face. And while some may say, "it's just part of the job," it is important to recognise that no other profession begins their workday with the expectation of encountering danger or even death. Police often endure assaults, daily, yet they remain dedicated to their duty. Earlier this year, we tragically lost a valued member of our Blue Family, Senior Constable Anthony Woods, who courageously put himself in harm's way to safeguard our
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community. A testament to the general attitude you all have toward the job, with the main inclination to protect and serve the community. As we remember our fallen colleague, we pose a question to both the State Government and the WA Police Force: What incentives are in place to motivate and support our Police Officers in their continued commitment to protecting our community? A death amongst our Blue Family is disheartening, and with the continuously rising attrition rate, it is proof that people are walking away from the job to work a less taxing job. Earlier this year, WAPU estimated that a record number of sworn officers resigned and retired from WA Police Force in 2022-23. Some 417 officers resigned, and 99 officers retired in the 12 months to 30 June. This resulted in the worst attrition rate for sworn officers since 1969-70. The rate of sworn officers to population in 2022-23 was also the lowest in 10 years. More importantly, this rate has generally been declining over the last 30 years. These gaps have been filled by our remaining officers working extra shifts ensuring our service to the community proceeds. Our officers are fatigued, burnt out, it is no wonder that there is a high number of officers defecting to a less stressful, low impact career. So why is this attrition rate not sounding the alarm bells for our state’s highest offices? Every time our officers put their uniform on, they know, they are putting themselves in the line of danger. Our frontline defenders are facing risks that most of the public can only imagine. These risks go beyond physical danger; they extend to the emotional and mental toll that comes with the job. Despite these challenges, our Police Officers remain dedicated to
