HOBART City Alderman and independent candidate for Denison Marti Zucco has called for the introduction of a range of initiatives to boost policing numbers and improve public safety.

Ald Zucco says serious consideration should be given to a Tasmanian Police reservist force similar to the Army reserve.

Reserve officers are often retired members of the police force who have full police standards, training and powers. They either volunteer their time or are paid on a part-time basis. They may be tasked with taking calls for service or patrol and are often expected to perform all of the same duties of full time officers

“I understand there are approximately 600 fully trained former police officers in the State with about 150 from the last redundancy program.

“Imagine having a vast number of those 600 former police officers as police reservists on call and being vigilant in the community,” Ald Zucco said.

“Any police reservist would need to be fully trained with a program in place similar to that of the Army reserve. They would need to be paid a reservist retainer and be available when required to perform duties under the direction of full-time officers.

Ald Zucco said he also fully supported reinstating police numbers to the required level to ensure that policing and public safety was maintained at the highest possible level, and that all crimes are given the required level of investigation.

“I also support more security cameras to assist police and public safety. My understanding is that surveillance cameras are so sophisticated that portable wall mount motion sensor systems should be given consideration in hot spot areas.

Other alternative options to assist police numbers would be through a fully trained municipal police force or police part-funded by municipalities.

“My view is anything that can be done to increase the police presence is imperative to public safety and should be explored. If elected I would work with a new State Government to look at all options and their costs as a matter of priority,” Ald Zucco said.

Below are links to police reserves programs operating elsewhere.

http://nationalcitypd.com/
http://criminologycareers.about.com/od/Career_Advancement/a/Auxiliary-and-reserve-officers.htm
http://www.lapdonline.org/join_the_team/content_basic_view/542
Independent Denison candidate Marti Zucco