AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2008
Vic: Police suffer stress and injuries, crippling force
MELBOURNE, Feb 17 AAP - Victorian Police officers suffering from stress and injuries
have racked up $7.3 million in compensation claims in 12 months.
Taxpayers are forking out $20,000 a day to cover their compensation bill, documents
obtained by News Limited newspapers reveal.
Officers had 26,004 days of stress and injury leave last year. More than 16,550 days
was for stress leave taken by 239 officers.
The average claim was 31 days off work and $8869.50 in compensation, while the average
stress claim was 69 days and $17,465.50 in compensation.
Police Association assistant secretary Bruce McKenzie said the claims were the tip
of the iceberg. Mr McKenzie said even "hardened, career cops" were suffering from post-traumatic
stress and injuries after conflicts, including the G20 riots.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said: "Frontline officers in Melbourne and the country
are squeezed between a rising tide of violence and inadequate resources to do their jobs
effectively."
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sen-Constable Sharon Darcy said there had been 12 fewer
stress claims last financial year than in 2005-06.
A state government spokeswoman said police numbers would rise by 350 by 2010.
AAP jat/rs
KEYWORD: POLICE VIC
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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