NSW is 'actively poaching' Canberra's police officers, union says

Police officers in NSW are set to receive at least 22 per cent extra pay over the next four years in what the state government has described as a “historic generational change”.

So, if you’re an ACT police officer, why wouldn’t you jump the border?

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the new pay offer on Tuesday (12 November), arguing it was needed to curb the number of officers quitting the force.

He said the number of officers leaving the state’s police force has “more than doubled” in recent years, from more than 500 in 2018 to 1286 in 2022. He puts the blame on wage caps imposed on government agencies during the Liberal-National terms of government.

“As a result of that, the NSW Government has negotiated a historic generational change for wages and conditions,” he said.

The pay deal is expected to cost $697.6 million, funded by reforms to police insurance.

The breakdown is yet to be revealed, but the Police Association of NSW expects all non-commissioned officers to receive increases of between 22.3 per cent and 39.4 per cent over the next four years, provided the offer is accepted.

Or, to put it another way, the salary of a level-three senior constable will jump from $107,600 to $146,600 by mid-2027, up $39,000.

The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) says it stands in “jarring contrast” to what the Federal Government is offering officers within the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which also includes ACT Policing.

This deal equates to an 11.2 per cent increase over three years – 4.5 per cent in the first year, 4 per cent in the second year and 2.7 per cent in the third year – with some adjustments to allowances and sick leave as well.

“When you look at the NSW deal, it’s tough to see what the Albanese Government is offering AFP officers as anything short of blatant disrespect,” AFPA representative Alex Caruana said.

He says the difference between the two becomes even more stark when you add in changes to the pay scale for NSW officers.

“The additional part NSW Police get is compressed advancement, so they’re able to get from a junior constable to a sergeant much quicker, so when you factor that in … they’re 40 per cent better off.”

Mr Caruana said it’s quite clear the premier is “actively poaching” from jurisdictions like the ACT.

“Our AFP and ACT Policing members are such big-ticket items for other police forces – they’ve got the training, the knowledge and other skill sets that others don’t have – and when you’re offering a considerably better pay deal, it’s very easy to lure them across,” he said.

“Would you prefer to live in Canberra or go to Coffs Harbour for four years and earn $40,000 extra a year?”

When asked on ABC radio about officers crossing to NSW, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said, “Certainly, I’m concerned”.

“I don’t want any of our people to leave ACT Policing – I value all of our people, and we’re doing what we can to attract and retain more people in policing,” he said.

CPO Lee was also confident “there are some other factors” to keep officers working in the AFP and ACT Policing beyond salary, including “the lifestyle we have here in the ACT”.

“We’ve had members who have joined us from other police forces around the country, including from NSW.”

The vote on the AFP’s 11.2 per cent pay rise closes this Friday (15 November).

The new ACT Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Marisa Paterson, is batting for an increase.

“Police do an amazing job in our community. While this negotiation is a matter for the Federal Government, the ACT Government is eager to see police negotiate a fair pay increase,” she told Region.