Firearms in Court Update – February 2016

On 29 January 2016, the PSA met with the Police Association and the NSW Department of Justice.

The Police Association sought a guarantee that nothing in the Working Party recommendations would be inconsistent with the protocol.

The Sheriff’s ‘Active Shooter’ provisions do not impact on police, but refer to the Sheriff’s own emergency procedure. The Police Association accepted this.

Point 5 of the Working Party recommendations was addressed, which states:

“Police firearms to be stored in gun lockers if identification cannot be met.“

The Sheriff stated if this criterion could not be met, the police officer would have to surrender their firearms whilst they are in court.

At the final report back yesterday before Justice Walton, the PSA gave assurances to the Commission that the ‘Active Shooters Protocol’ adopted by the Office of the Sheriff would be used to control and contain an active shooter incident until the police arrived.

The heighted security alert and court security have been added to the JCC as standing agenda items and will remain there until the security alert is reduced.

The PSA will monitor the implementations of the Working Party and Steering Committee recommendations. If there is cause for concern, the PSA has leave to relist in the Industrial Relations Commission.

The PSA will continue to provide newsletters to our member in regards to these implementations.