View source for Police Federation of Australia

{{short description|Australian police trade union}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Lead extra info|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox union
| name                = PFA
| location_country    = [[Australia]]
| members             = {{decrease}} 65,020 (as at 31 December 2023)<ref>{{cite web |title=Membership size of registered organisations – 2024 |url=https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/organisations/resources/ig005-membership-size-registered-organisations.pdf |publisher=Fair Work Commission |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>
| full_name           = Police Federation of Australia
| native_name         = 
| image               = SA police force.jpg
| caption             = South Australian police officers
| founded             = 1 January 1998
| dissolved           = 
| merged              = 
| headquarters        = [[Canberra]], [[Australian Capital Territory|ACT]]
| key_people          = Mark Carroll, President<br>Scott Weber, Chief Executive Officer
| website             = {{URL|https://pfa.org.au/}}
| footnotes           = 
}}

The '''Police Federation of Australia''' ('''PFA''') is a [[Peak organisation|peak]]{{Explain|date=March 2025|reason=What does this Australian jargon mean? It is not explained in the article.}} [[police union]] body that represents the interests of [[Australia|Australian]] [[police officers]].{{Not verified in body|date=March 2025}}

It was formerly registered under the [[Workplace Relations Act 1996]] on 1 January 1998. The [[Canberra]] office was opened by [[John Howard]], the then [[Prime Minister]] of Australia, on Tuesday, 16 September 2003.<ref>[http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Speech/2003/speech485.cfm Prime Minister John Howard's speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930043657/http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Speech/2003/speech485.cfm |date=30 September 2007 }} Office of the Prime Minister website Transcript. Accessed 30 April 2007</ref>

The members of each [[States of Australia|State]], Territory and [[Federation|Federal]] Police Association/Union are members of the Police Federation of Australia, and the organisation was affiliated with the [[ACTU]].<ref>[http://www.directory.actu.asn.au/index.php3?page=unions&company_id=382 ACTU online directory] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503215749/http://www.directory.actu.asn.au/index.php3?page=unions&company_id=382 |date=3 May 2007 }} Accessed 30 April 2007</ref> The role of the PFA is to protect and promote the workings and interests of those police officers, should any requirement be needed for their representation. This is enacted by being the "National Voice of Policing."<ref name=":6" /> In 2007, Peter Alexander (the then President of the Police Federation of Australia) said the union represented 50,000 officers.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1841388.htm Mulrunji case sparks anger amongst Qld police] - Transcript ABC Radio ''The World Today'' - 6 February 2007 Accessed 30 April 2007</ref> As of December 2018, the PFA represented over 63,000 members nationally, which gives it the greatest density level of membership of any union organisation within Australia.<ref name=":6" />

In 2002 the CEO of the Police Federation of Australia, Mark Burgess, called for a national approach to tackling the problems of hand guns in the community "I think there needs to be a far greater cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the State and Territory Governments. We've said for some time it's unfortunate these things are finding their way into the country and then it's left to State and Territory police officers to clean up the mess and the carnage after they've been used."<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s564869.htm Police Federation calls for national approach] Transcript ABC Radio AM 27 May 2002. Accessed 30 April 2007</ref>

In 2005 the Police Federation of Australia supported the fears of the [[Australian Federal Police Association]] (AFPA), regarding industrial relations laws relating to [[Australian Workplace Agreement]]s saying the laws could erode the integrity of police officers.{{Not verified in body|date=March 2025}} The concerns were rejected by a spokesman for Workplace Relations Minister [[Kevin Andrews (politician)|Kevin Andrews]], saying state police would remain in the state systems, and that AFP staff would continue to be governed by their certified agreement.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/police-want-out-of-ir-laws/2005/11/14/1131951100179.html Police want out of IR laws] The Age, 15 November 2005. Accessed 30 April 2007</ref>

==Office Bearers==
President – Mark Carroll ([[South Australia|SA]]), Vice President – Ian Leavers ([[Queensland|QLD]]), Vice President – Paul McCue ([[Northern Territory|NT]]), Treasurer – John Laird ([[Victoria (Australia)|VIC]]), Chief Executive Officer – Scott Weber.<ref name=":6" />

== History ==
Although only recently having been established, the PFA has an important history. The PFA was formally registered under Federal Industrial law on 1 January 1998. The [[Canberra]] office which is still in use to this day was opened on 16 September 2003, by the Prime Minister at that time then, [[John Howard]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=About Us {{!}} Police Federation of Australia|url=https://pfa.org.au/about-us/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> Prior to being properly formed as the Federation, the [[Australian Federal Police Association]] was the only registered police union federally in Australia at the time. The association came into effect as a result of restructuring of Commonwealth law enforcement along with the creation of the [[Australian Federal Police]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Wailes|first=Nick|title=Employment Relations in Australia and New Zealand|journal=Research Handbook of Comparative Employment Relations|year=2011|doi=10.4337/9780857936318.00019|isbn=9780857936318}}</ref> The Association's national executive committee agreed upon the idea of a national law enforcement union in 1986 as a sole trade union. Through much deliberation and after numerous meetings and countless objections, by state governments and individual police commissioners, the final phase in the formation was the formal change from association to federation. In April 1997, the associations council unanimously agreed that the union change its name to the Police Federation of Australia.<ref name=":0" />

== Union Merger ==
An important moment in the history of the PFA was the merge of the union from instead being individual state unions, to a much more nationally recognised organisation broadening police union agendas to include external issues and industrial matters.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last1=Burgess|first1=Mark|last2=Fleming|first2=Jenny|last3=Marks|first3=Monique|date=2006|title=Thinking Critically about Police Unions in Australia: Internal Democracy and External Responsiveness|journal=Police Practice and Research|volume=7|issue=5|pages=391–409|doi=10.1080/15614260601076033|issn=1561-4263|hdl=1885/29100|hdl-access=free}}</ref> This is combined with much greater depth and width of interaction with officers. The merger occurred at the time of the national labour movement within Australia, highlighting the political climate at the time of the merge. Police unionists in Australia insist though that their institutions be run by police officers instead of trade union professionals.<ref name=":7" /> In spite of the fact that police unions were affiliated to the [[Australian Council of Trade Unions|Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)]] through the PFA. The PFA and their branches do not associated themselves with any specific political party or ideology.<ref name=":7" /> Throughout the course of police unionism, the issue of professionalism had been on the agenda for some time. Following the national merger in 1998, the PFA has pursued with intent, goals of professional mobility, nationally recognised standards and consistent training outcomes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jenny Fleming, Monique Marks|date=2004|title=Reformers or Resisters?: The State of Police Unionism in Australia|journal=Employment Relations Record|volume=4|issue=1|pages=1}}</ref>

== Importance of the Union ==
[[File:Vehicle drug search australia.jpg|thumb|281x281px|New South Wales Police Officers in action conducting a vehicle search for illegal drugs.]]
The importance of the Police Federation of Australia is held at a high regard for its members and other members of the community. The importance of the union, particularly for those who are in the law enforcement sectors of society such as police, is paramount for their survival.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|last=Michael Lyons & Jenny Fleming|date=2004|title=A Study of Union Mergers: The Strange Case of the Police Federation of Australia|journal=New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations|volume=29|issue=2|pages=1–16}}</ref> In the case of redundancies for example, or other incidents that may implicate an officers job or livelihood, the use of the union will be necessary in defending those members and employees, should they need the services of the union.<ref name=":8" /> The importance of the Union is based upon the role of the federation and how important it is. The PFA has the potential to be a powerful, industrial and political influence in the field of law enforcement.<ref name=":8" /> While most Unions appear to have the idea of industrial unionism as the main function, this would not be the case for the Federation as a national entity.<ref name=":8" />

Rather, the main purpose of the PFA was that of a professional association for police and law enforcement personnel. While the industrial activities were more left to the autonomous branches and/or the individuals State and territories Police Unions.<ref name=":8" /> An issue that has been of importance for the PFA is the issue of professionalism within the police force. This issue has been very much at the forefront of the PFA's agenda in being reached.<ref name=":7" /> The promotion of professionalism is currently occurring within the PFA and the PFA is actively involved in a number of these activities. These activities include; the establishment of an Australian police service delivery code of conduct, the development of strategies and processes for the transition of training and education delivery from the vocational to the tertiary sector as well as the identification of a model and enabling mechanisms to facilitate inter-jurisdictional mobility at rank.<ref name=":7" /> The PFA is also undertaking the notion of untying the link between police pay and police promotion.<ref name=":7" /> The idea behind this movement is for police to be paid for what they do rather than officers chasing promotions, much like other sections of the workforce where rank doesn't play an important part such as the police force.<ref name=":7" /> This is aiming to retain experienced police officers in the force who are not promoted.<ref name=":7" /> It is also viewed by the union as a means of rewarding and encouraging those who are experienced and operational police officers to work in locations and jobs which are hard to fill.<ref name=":7" />

== Member Services ==
Police officers on a daily basis have to deal with a wide range of issues within the community. One of those issues, more prevalent than ever today is the issue surrounding mental health.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Clifford|first=Katrina|date=2010|title=The thin blue line of mental health in Australia|journal=Police Practice and Research|volume=11|issue=4|pages=355–370|doi=10.1080/15614263.2010.496561|issn=1561-4263}}</ref> Due to their 24/7 nature, police officers in Australia have been expected to deal with persons presenting with symptoms of mental health disorders within the community. The complexity of these issues has generated a stretch in police resources.<ref name=":1" /> This also includes their own mental health when it comes to dealing with these extreme and disturbing signs. Some of these extreme examples include police involved shootings of mentally ill individuals. There has been increased commentary regarding issues that officers face and their mental health. In response to this trend, many officers nationally have expressed their concerns over feeling there is a lack of necessary skills, knowledge and resources to respond and assess appropriately to individuals with mental illness.<ref name=":1" /> The consensus amongst officers is that this lack of resources stems from deficient [[deinstitutionalisation]] reforms that overtime have crippled Australia's mental health system. This creates the overburden mentioned for police officers on the front line as responders to mental health issues.<ref name=":1" /> This also accounts for police officers regarding simply having to deal with mental health issues in the community. A 2004 survey found that 93% of police officers stated that 'caring for people with a mental illness is affecting their ability to do core work responsibilities.'<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2005|title=Achieving balance: Report of the Queensland Review of Fatal Mental Health Sentinel Events. A review of systemic issues within Queensland Mental Health Services 2002–2003|url=http://www.health.qld.gov.au/mentalhealth/docs/deidentified_report.pdf|journal=Queensland Health|volume=Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Government}}</ref> Furthermore, this involvement by police with mental health in the community extends to further boundaries. There is evidence to suggest that officers spend substantial amounts of time across numerous hospitals in the emergency departments in so-called caretaker mode.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Chappell|first=Duncan|date=2008|title=Policing and emotionally disturbed persons: disseminating knowledge, removing stigma and enhancing performance†|journal=Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences|volume=40|issue=1|pages=37–48|doi=10.1080/00450610802047572|issn=0045-0618}}</ref> This effect upon police to wait is due to having to wait for these persons of interest to be properly admitted to a health specialist who can gauged whether they are to be experiencing mental illness or a mental health crisis.<ref name=":2" /> These frustrations have been expressed by the Police Federation of Australia and that they impede upon the work of many of the police officers they represent nationally.<ref name=":2" />
[[File:La-Perouse-Beach-Closed-Apr-2020.jpg|thumb|276x276px|La Perouse Beach in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney Randwick City Council, closed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].]]
As a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], police in Australia have had an important role in protecting the citizens. Police have been the main enforcers of social distancing measures within each of the states and territories. This has put police officers on the very front-line when it comes to interaction with people in the community. Many of these roles had the PFA focusing on the wellbeing of the police officers. This included the monitoring of cruise ships and dealing with those passengers, controlling state borders as well as issuing fines to those who violates the social distancing measures.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Police call for access to coronavirus priority testing|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/police-call-for-access-to-coronavirus-priority-testing/12095282|date=2020-03-27|website=ABC Radio National|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> An important aspect of the measures taken was to stop people from gathering in public places.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Australians share 'intimidating' encounters with police over coronavirus restrictions|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australians-share-intimidating-encounters-with-police-over-coronavirus-restrictions|website=SBS News|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> Most notably, it was prevalent at many of the beaches in the [[Eastern Suburbs (Sydney)]] and [[Northern Beaches]] of [[Sydney]].<ref name=":4" /> Beaches were talked about as being an important place for police officers to show their presence in the aim of warning off people from breaching social distancing and attaining a fine.<ref name=":4" /> Particularly at a time where being outside is deemed at being dangerous and only for essential purposes. Some of the social distancing rules that were put in place were confusing to some. Many of the police officers were learning of these changes by finding out through the media.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=One rule for some, and fines for others – what happens to you if you break coronavirus rules depends on where you live|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-17/how-coronavirus-fines-are-hitting-australia/12155274|date=2020-04-16|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> The Chief Executive Officer of the PFA, Scott Weber highlighted that the situation in the community was "a moving feast every day".<ref name=":5" /> Weber then further stated, "When the restrictions were out in place, it was quite clear it was extremely urgent and extremely necessary, and police were very clear with regards to being black and white in enforcing those restrictions".<ref name=":5" /> Due to the role that the police had, the restrictions were regarded to have started to work. Scott Weber also stated that "at the start it was very prescriptive, it was health orientated, and on top of that – people didn’t know where we were heading".<ref name=":5" /> The union backed their officers by taking the situation very seriously and were following the measures put in place for the safety of the community.<ref name=":5" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Organized labour}}
* [[1923 Victorian Police strike]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Law enforcement in Australia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Police Federation Of Australia}}
[[Category:Public sector trade unions in Australia]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Australia]]
[[Category:Police unions]]
[[Category:Trade unions established in 1998]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Australia]]