Police News Dec 08.indd - New Zealand Police Association

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceThere are clearlypeople in Policewho are futurecomediansPicture if you would the scene…Local Traffic Alcohol Group (TAG),Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) and RoadPolicing staff from Porirua nearWellington waiting at the PlimmertonWeigh Station to assist police recruitsfrom the nearby Royal New ZealandPolice College on a large check point.This was to later prove particularlysuccessful, including the apprehensionof gang members who had just stolena car in Petone, the discovery of drugsand the usual drink driver/disqualifieddriver who happened to chance theirarm, along with numerous vehicle anddriver licence offences.The recruits from the nearby PoliceCollege would normally turn up inCollege vehicles but not so on thisparticular night as all the Collegevehicles were fully booked.This necessitated the booking of severalrental vans (one is pictured).So a small convoy of marked policevehicles arrived shepherding a line ofrental vans jammed full with enthusiasticnew cops in hi-visibility jackets.For one of the old cops witnessing thescene, the irony of the clearly displayedcompany logo on the rental vans did notescape him and had him grinning fromear to ear as to the unwitting comedianwho chose the rental company.Sick Leave Bank draw downA Sick Leave Bank for all sworn staff hasbeen operating successfully for over 20years.All sworn members fund the Sick LeaveBank. Each member contributes a halfor full days annual leave from time totime. The bank allows sworn membersto apply to an Approval Committeefor additional paid sick leave whentheir own sick leave entitlement hasbeen exhausted. The Sick Leave Bankcan also be used to support a familymember who through illness becomesdependent on the member.Approval CommitteeThe Sick Leave Bank ApprovalCommittee (SLBAC) is made up ofrepresentatives from:• Manager, Police Wellness (Chair);• Police Human Resources;• Finance/Salaries Section; and• The Police Service Organisations(currently Peter Hayes, the Managerof the Police Welfare Fund).268December 2008Applications to the Sick Leave Bankshould be made in the first instance toyour local District HR Administration.Further information on the Sick LeaveBank is available on the Police Intranet.ApplicationsEach application is considered bythe SLBAC on its merits and takesinto account the member’s diagnosis,prognosis, rehabilitation plan (ifapplicable), and his or her likelihood toreturn to work. The committee may alsotake into account the nature of the staffmember’s previous sick leave usage andother current leave totals.Specifically, where an application ismade to support a sick dependant,the committee will consider thecircumstances and contribution madeby the member’s partner or other familymembers before considering approvingsick leave from the Sick Leave Bank.June 2006 for last draw downThe last drawn down for the SickLeave Bank was in June 2006, and thatallocation has now been exhausted.A further draw down of half a day ofleave from all sworn members leavebalances will take place on February 18,2009.Based on current usage, it is expectedthis draw down will be sufficient tomeet applications approved by thecommittee for at least two years.If you have any queries about the SickLeave Bank please direct them to yourlocal HR administration, or a PoliceAssociation representative.Have you moved recently?If you have moved or perhaps are about to,please let us know so we can update yourrecords.You can do this by:• writing to us at PO Box 12344;• calling us on free phone 0800 500 122;• faxing us on (04) 496 6819; or• Emailing us at:membership@policeassn.org.nzYOU NEED TO LET US KNOW YOURMEMBERSHIP NUMBER, NEW ADDRESSAND IF YOU’RE A SERVING MEMBER- YOUR NEW STATION.