Labor is promising more than 60 new police positions in Cessnock's police district if it wins the state election in March.
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Under the plan Hunter Valley Police District will receive an increase of 61 police officers across the region, including stations at Cessnock, Bulga, Singleton, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook, Scone and Singleton.
Labor says the Hunter will be a "significant beneficiary" of their commitment to hire an additional 1,500 new police officers across NSW over the next four years at a cost of $583 million.
“This important boost to resources will help our exemplary local police force do their important work to fight crime," Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said.
Labor candidate for Upper Hunter and Cessnock deputy mayor Melanie Dagg said the commitment would increased the frontline services needed to fight crime.
“Across the Hunter people have been telling us they need more general duties police officers to cover the important day-to-day policing that prevents and reduces crime and keeps our families safe," she said.
Labor has also committed to double the funding to expand the Workforce Improvement Program which provides support to police officers by addressing the impacts of police work on officers’ health and well-being.
The party said in a statement that officers were required to operate under a large amount of pressure on a regular basis, which took its toll both physically and mentally.
Each month, up to 250 police officers experience a physical injury and 50 police officers experience a psychological injury.
The provision of additional resources will assist the police by supporting more officers and alleviating pressures which leads to officers experiencing physical injuries and mental health issues.
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“Despite the tremendous benefits of the Workforce Improvement Program which provides terrific support to injured Police Officers, the need for more funding has been identified and ignored for several years, Shadow Minister for Police, Guy Zangari MP said.
“The dedicated men and women of the NSW Police Force deserve nothing less than our full support.”