A decades-long campaign to remove police from court security duties across the state could end next week, with officers expected to be replaced in the Burnie Supreme Court as of next Friday.
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The North-West was the last remaining court where police were required to take on security responsibilities, after corrections officers replaced them in Launceston in 2017, and police had been out of the Hobart Supreme Court since the early 90s.
In February, Justice Minister Elise Archer said arrangements would be made to "transition to the replacement of police officers with Tasmania Prison Service staff at the Burnie courts".
The initial plan was for security contractors to take on the role for a two-year period, until the new Burnie courts complex was available.
Both Ms Archer, and Premier Peter Gutwein, publicly stated those security contractors would take over by July 1 this year.
But that date passed with no change.
Now delivering on their promise, the state government has said it would remove police from the North-West court within 100 days of being in government - giving themselves a deadline of August 27.
As of Tuesday, retired police had begun their training to take on the task.
And it was welcome news for the Police Association of Tasmania whose president Colin Riley had been working with both the police and justice departments and the state government for years to see the change take place.
He thanked Mr Gutwein in particular for taking a strong stance on the issue and setting a date.
"It has taken some time to get police out of Hobart, Launceston, and now finally the Burnie courts, but we are very grateful for the direct intervention from the Premier to make this happen," Mr Riley said.
"It will mean one additional police unit back out on the road, and allow police to do their job, which means a better service for the community."
Ms Archer said the state government remained committed to "ensuring that Tasmanians have access to an efficient criminal and civil justice system that meets the needs of the Tasmanian community".
"The Department of Justice has explored a number of options to safely and effectively remove police officers from prisoner transport and court security in the Burnie Supreme Court," she said.
"The Department of Justice has taken the time to work with unions and key stakeholders to come to the best solution.
"As part of our First 100 Days election commitment to remove police officers from court duties in the North-West, the Department of Justice has employed Court Operations Officers and training has also commenced for retired police officers. This is a positive step forward as a transitional plan."
In another win, the commitment was expected to also include changes to who was responsible for transporting those in custody after hours, which had also been part of the police union campaign.
"The retention of the prison service transport vehicle remaining in Burnie until the court ceases operation each day means police will no longer be transporting detainees to Launceston," Mr Riley said.
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Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
