Gemma Priest

Perth Watch House

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

In June, I will have been in my role for 13 years. I was one of the first Custody PAOs when the role was created. I have worked in East Perth and Northbridge watch houses, several stints at Joondalup and Midland, and regional trips to South Hedland, Kununurra and Karratha.

2. Our union is fighting for an introduction of a Lockup Keeper Specialist Allowance. How will this address current concerns for you and colleagues?

The role of the Lockup keeper was brought in to effect after a recommendation from the Dhu inquiry. The purpose of the role is to put the responsibility, and blame onto one single person.

This person is responsible for all detainees. Making sure they understand why they are in custody, have the correct paperwork and are fit to be held. They allocate cells, ensuring all necessary people are segregated after conducting a risk assessment on limited information given. They are also responsible for setting and reducing risk level and cell check frequency. Their responsibilities also include staff, visitors and contractors.

On a frequent basis, this role is filled by a Band 2 PAO who is acting up in a Band 3 supervisor role. Recently, three Band 2 PAOs were acting in a supervisory role. We took turns in holding the responsibility of the Lockup Keeper. When I fill the Lockup Keeper role, not only do I have more responsibility than the others, I also will not take a break as I am the point of contact for all questions regarding detainee needs and requests.

Many of the most experienced staff turn down acting opportunities, due to the fact there is so much more responsibility, for extremely little pay and no recognition or reward. We have people who have just come off probation acting in the lockup keeper role. Their lack of knowledge and experience is dangerous and increases the likelihood of a death in custody.

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

Many experienced staff don’t act up to the Band 3 and Lockup Keeper roles as it’s not worth the risk or responsibility.

There is no opportunity for us to grow and develop, there is no road to promotion for us. There is also no monetary reward for acting in the role for the most experienced staff. To go from a 2.5 increment to a 3.1 is not worth the risk to our career.

We are over worked, under appreciated and under paid. PAOs and Police are employed by the same agency, and under the same act and our pay, conditions and penalty rates are vastly different.