Police thwart speed camera revenue by warning motorists

Members of Victoria Police have positioned police vehicles ahead of speed traps alerting oncoming motorists – and will continue to do so – due to an ongoing pay dispute, ABC News reports.

From the morning of Sunday 3 December, Police vehicles across Victoria were seen parked with their red-and-blue lights flashing ahead of speed cameras to warn drivers to slow down, in an effort to reduce the state’s revenue. 

It follows a five-month stalemate between Victoria Police and the Police Association Victoria (TPAV) surrounding pay and working conditions.

TPAV secretary Wayne Gatt told Channel 9’s Today morning television show the tactic will continue “for the foreseeable future” until “the government comes to the table and addresses key concerns that our members have had.”

TPAV is calling for the state government to join negotiations as the ultimate employer of Victoria Police.

A September 2023 survey released by TPAV found 67 per cent of the Victoria Police force feel burnt out, and 20 per cent were “ready to quit”.

Mr Gatt also said there are currently 900 police officers on sick leave in Victoria, which he suggests does not correspond to a healthy workplace.

“We’re cutting off revenue to the state government of Victoria because they’re holding back a fair and reasonable agreement with police officers in this state who are doing a hard job in really difficult circumstances to keep the community safe,” he said.

“This isn’t action we wanted to take …  the government has to act on this, and act quickly.”

Premier Jacinta Allan has said the government was represented by Industrial Relations Victoria, according to the ABC.

Warning speeding motorists is one of a number of approved industrial actions given that police cannot strike outright due to the nature of their work.

Victoria Police used the same strategy to successfully increase a 2.5 per cent pay rise in 2011.

Other actions include protest slogans written on police cars, distributing material at school crossings and an automated voice when a police station is phoned.

Association members will also no longer work unpaid overtime while the dispute continues.