MINISTER CONGRATULATES CPO ON 100 DAYS SERVICE

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, today expressed his appreciation for the work and leadership provided by Assistant Commissioner Michael Phelan since his appointment as the Chief Police Officer for the ACT.

“I have been particularly impressed by Mr Phelan’s efforts to work collaboratively and in partnership with the ACT Government and community,” Mr Corbell said.

“Assistant Commissioner Phelan has brought a high level of professionalism and leadership to the position.

“He has continued to build on the good work of his predecessors in protecting and serving the Canberra community by building on the ACT’s excellent existing community policing initiatives.

“Mr Phelan has provided an ongoing commitment to the Suburban Policing Strategy, and has continued to support the targeting of high volume crime as part of the Government’s ACT Property Crime Reduction Strategy.

"Initiatives such as the Suburban Policing Strategy are producing positive results and engaging police with the community. I commend Mr Phelan on his commitment to this community engagement and fully support the police in their unswerving efforts to make Canberra a safe and secure city.

“Through Mr Phelan’s leadership, ACT Policing has been instrumental in meeting the reduction targets set for burglary and motor vehicle theft under the ACT Property Crime Reduction Strategy. The Government is currently reviewing the strategy, which will involve close consultation with ACT Policing in setting its future direction and focus.

"Since he was appointed last year, Mr Phelan and I have worked together on a number of policing matters and most recently, in identifying legislation for on-the-spot fines which will help tackle some of the procedural issues in dealing with alcohol-related offences and anti-social offences on our streets.

“We have important challenges ahead in continuing to provide the ACT community with a quality and responsive policing service.

“I look forward to working more closely and collaboratively with Mr Phelan in meeting these future challenges, particularly in forging even closer links between the community and ACT Policing to tackle issues of public safety and security.

“The ACT Government has funded an extra 107 police officers since July 2004 which includes ACT Policing bringing on-line 60 police funded in the 06/07 Budget. I wish to see the additional budgeted resources impact on ACT Policing’s capability to respond to incidents within target response times and to increase police visibility in the community.

“I am particularly pleased to see that there have already been significant improvements in police response times.

“As one of the Government’s high priority areas, ACT Policing will continue to be heavily involved, along with other agencies, to enhance the criminal justice response to victims, especially sexual assault victims.

“The Government will also be looking to ACT Policing to assist in how we respond to anti-social behaviour, particularly in providing safety responses in late night entertainment areas in Canberra.

“ACT Policing will be closely consulted and involved in reviewing the ACT Government’s review of liquor licensing, and also the current review of the expansion of CCTV coverage in Civic, Manuka and Kingston.

“There has also been close consultation with police in trialling the new Nightlink initiative. It will require the Government working closely with police and the taxi industry to make this a reality.

“Under Mr Phelan’s leadership, I believe the ACT Government and ACT community will continue to have a high level of confidence in police doing an excellent job to protect our community.”