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BUDGET 2001-02 POLICE Highlights from the 2001 Budget for police include increases in police numbers, a new dedicated police unit to fight drug crime, a new 11444 call centre and new telephone and radio communication systems. Member for Flinders Liz Penfold said the further $28 million allocated this year takes total spending on police to $397.3 million. “These initiatives and increased spending recognise the integral role police play in the State,” she said. Of the 90 new police positions over the next 12 months, 34 will be placed in local communities, 36 will specifically target drug and drug related crime, and 20 will target outlaw motorcycle gangs. A new police station for Port Lincoln is among the significant projects currently being considered as part of the Partnerships SA program. “Partnerships SA is a combination of public and private enterprise. In the case of a new police station, capital would come from private enterprise with the building being leased back by the department,” Mrs Penfold said. Mrs Penfold said the main benefit of successful partnerships programs overseas has been a significant reduction in the total cost of delivering government services. “The involvement of private sector capital also obviously reduces the calls on the Budget for capital investment.” The pilot 11444 call centre will be upgraded to an ongoing program so that the 000 communications centre can focus entirely on life threatening calls. The Government has also allocated almost $1 million over the next four years to help establish a national crime information system (Crimtrac) that will assist police to track criminals across jurisdictions. Mrs Penfold said the $9.6 million telephone and radio communications upgrade over three years would include police and emergency services. |
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