Tash Lee

Financial Crimes Squad

1. How long have you been with WA Police and tell us about your current role?

I became a PAO in February 2014, so this year will make it 9 years in the job. I am the Property and Exhibits officer for Financial Crimes Squad. I look after items of evidence seized at crime scenes and ensure these are packaged correctly, stored securely, conveyed for analysis, presented at court and disposed correctly when no longer required. I perform data extraction of mobile devices and assist with electronic evidence recording of large quantities of cash. I perform any and all ad hoc tasks that the officers are unable to attend to due to being engaged elsewhere. I also will accompany a sworn officer for low risk tasks when another sworn officer is unavailable. I do quite a bit of organising, sorting various issues out and finding answers to assorted questions the sworn officers may have (such as researching jewellery hallmarks, creating and searchable spreadsheets of each cheque book entry over a 10 year period, identifying and collating location data from mobile phone photos, etc).

2. Why are you fighting for more opportunity for career progression?

After 5 years, the pay increments stop – meaning I will be at the same pay scale for the rest of my time with WAPF.

There is no reward or incentive to work towards. Some days this makes me feel demoralised and my work is not valued. I could be the most outstanding auxiliary but my remuneration is the same as the person who turns up and does the bare minimum.

Other government staff have opportunities for secondments and promotions. This is not the case with auxiliaries. There is no chance to upskill, act in higher duties or perform other roles. It seems that auxiliaries have been forgotten about.

Due to the way the auxiliary banding is structured I am precluded from progressing my rank or applying for any other position that is not ‘like-for-like’. As a Band 1 I am unable to apply for a Band 2 position. Recently a position with Cyber Crime called for EOIs. I had a competitive application and would have been suitable for the position –but was ineligible for consideration as it was advertised as a Band 2. PODU specifically prevents a Band 1 from applying for Band 2 position. This could prevent the best person for the job from applying. I felt this was vastly unfair. The system for auxiliaries is inequitable.

Being in one position for too long comes with all sorts of issues – such as stagnation, mental and physical health problems, feelings of unfulfillment, demotivation and burnout. The auxiliaries at the Watch House face the same gruelling issues shift after shift with no respite. When they are injured or need a break from the environment there is no other position for them to work. Most leave. The auxiliaries at Coronial Investigation, Homicide, Forensic and Sex Crime squads are exposed to all sorts of onerous and distressing duties. There is no variety in the work to do and no opportunity to do anything different. Providing auxiliaries alternate deployment positions will help to sustain the workforce and retain the knowledge base.

3. If you could speak directly to our Premier, Mark McGowan what would you like him to understand about the role that you do?

I have stayed with WAPF for 9 years because I enjoy being able to contribute to my community. I want to make a difference and try to leave the world a slightly better place. I do not wish to be a sworn officer and my skill set is a perfect fit for support roles – which is why I chose to become an auxiliary. I didn’t choose WAPF for the pay and conditions. I wanted to be able to look back on my life and say that I actively tried to assist my community in the best way I could with what skills I had.

Policing is more than boots-on-the-ground. The front line requires support, which is where auxiliaries come in. Auxiliaries stand ready and are prepared to lift the load to help the sworn police officers. We are an underutilised but vital resource that can and should be expanded.

The benefits to our community and the ways we could assist WAPF in being more efficient are endless. Turning the auxiliary officer role into a career choice with a career pathway will retain and support employees. Auxiliaries are an excellent way to expand the Thin Blue Line and support our community. ▷