Drug helicopter in funding row

[boulder]

TISSUES and helicopters have been the latest victims of Victoria Police cost-cutting, it has been claimed.

 

Restrictions have been introduced for a helicopter used to spot marijuana plantations in country areas, senior police claim.

 

The Police Association says the police budget has been blown out by $55 million.

 

The Government says a deficit about $28 million is projected. The Victoria Police 2002-03 financial report is to be tabled in Parliament this week.

 

Police Association secretary Senior-Sergeant Paul Mullett said police in one police division had been told to perform static patrols in their vehicles instead of mobile patrols to save on fuel as part of cost-cutting.

 

Other divisions had been told tissues were for use of crime victims only, that purchase of new street directories was restricted and the type of pens to be bought would be changed to ones with cheaper refills.

 

Within the crime department, investigations were being prioritised, he said.

 

Sen-Sgt Mullett said the worst example of cost-cutting was a freeze on recruitment until next May. Victoria Police says this has nothing to do with the budget, but a low attrition rate.

 

Yesterday, police spokesman Kevin Loomes said there had been no direction from force command or the corporate management group for restrictions on tissues, pens or street directories.

 

"They have told managers, 'you have to look at your budget and work within your budget'," Mr Loomes said.

 

Mr Loomes said the Squirrel helicopter, used to spot marijuana plantations, would only be used when really needed, not just for the sake of using it.

 

He said there had been no decision to cut any major projects and stressed if any cuts were required they would have no impact on services to the community.

 

Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells said there was a whole lot of silly examples of cuts within Victoria Police.

 

"I'm getting told a lot of police are sick and tired of the penny-pinching, which is frustrating them just wanting to get on and fight crime," Mr Wells said.

 

Sen-Sgt Mullett said he appreciated police had to be responsible in spending but it had reached a ridiculous point where community safety was at risk.

 

A spokesman for Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said Victoria Police had its biggest budget in history, at $1.2 billion and there were no cuts.

 

"Victoria Police, like any other agency, must operate within its budget -- no matter what that budget might be," spokesman George Svigos said.

 

Herald Sun

[Guest Babybear]

Fuck man , Yippy i guess,

 

Nuffin better then sitting back buzzing away readying about mj news