The PSA hit the road to check in with members across Camden, Nepean, Campbelltown, Liverpool, and Fairfield Police Area Commands (PACs).

“Armed with Kit Kats and plenty of good conversation, we caught up with members and delegates to hear what’s happening on the ground,” said Organiser Michael Petersen (on left of photo above), who is on secondment from NSW Police. “Across the sites, similar themes kept coming up; increasing workloads, ongoing understaffing, rostering pressures, and the impacts of restructuring. These conversations are vital and help shape the advocacy we do every day on behalf of members.

“A highlight of the visits was spending time at Penrith Police Radio, where delegate John Hughes (on right of photo above) gave the PSA a behind-the-scenes look at a busy operational radio channel servicing Liverpool and Fairfield PACs.

“That single channel covers around 63 suburbs and supports a population of almost 500,000 people, so it is no small task.”

Mr Petersen said that even during the PSA visit, members were calmly juggling multiple urgent jobs, while also keeping on top of a long list of lower priority incidents that still need police attendance.

“Despite the pressure, their professionalism and focus were on full display,” he said.

On top of dispatch-assist duties, members were also taking 000 calls from the public.

“While most triple-0 calls are handled by our PSA members at the hardworking Police Link Centres in Tuggerah and Lithgow, it was great to see the flexibility and expertise required when roles intersect,” said Mr Petersen.

“We’ll be visiting those Police Link centres soon,” he said. “And yes, the Kit Kats will be coming along, too.