17 March 2020
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) is calling on NT Commissioner Jamie Chalker to urgently outline what plans the department has to mitigate the risk to our members from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Yesterday an emergency meeting was held between Union and Association Presidents from each jurisdiction to discuss the response, from a national level, and ways to address the incredibly slow official response and lack of communication from police departments countrywide, including in the Northern Territory.
Acting NTPA President Lisa Bayliss said members are frustrated by the lack of official information from the department regarding its formal response to the ongoing threat from COVID-19.
“We are in regular contact with the senior executive seeking updates on risk mitigation protocols and we understand a more detailed response is being prepared, but to date, our members haven’t been given the answers to crucial concerns around; leave arrangements for self-isolation and members diagnosed with COVID-19, work from home provisions; the supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and how it will be replenished, cleaning and decontamination procedures, pre-screening arrangements for high-risk areas, safe interaction with the public with regards to Front Counter, Watch House, RBTs and arrests. This simply isn’t good enough.
“The situation is developing rapidly and although there has only been one confirmed case of the virus in the Northern Territory, our members need to know the department has a solid plan to keep them and the community safe,” said Mrs Bayliss.
ENDS
Please direct all media enquiries to media@ntpa.com.au or by phone +61 (0) 8 8995 9520
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) is the industrial voice of all members of the Northern Territory Police Force. Read more via www.ntpa.com.au or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NTPoliceAssociation
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