Crossing guards to stay: Minister

17/1/01
Police Minister Kevin Prince said today all school crosswalk attendant positions axed under a review by the WA Police Service would be reinstated.
Mr Prince said the assessment criteria applied to school crossings would be reviewed and that all crossing guards would remain in place until the review was completed.
"I want to make it clear that I have no criticism of what the Police Service did and the way in which it was done," he said.
"The survey of crossing guards was carried out under a system put in place about 10 years ago under the former Labor Government and presided over by a committee comprising representatives from police, education and transport.
"This system was adopted across Australia and worked on a formula based on the number of children using a particular crossing and the amount of traffic on the road.
"There are more than 500 crosswalks which have paid crossing guards and many others manned by guards on a volunteer basis, because there are fewer children and the roads are not as busy."
Mr Prince said the recent survey found that 31 crosswalks did not meet the criteria for a paid crossing guard.
"Over a period of six months I received petitions, deputations and hundreds of letters from parents, Members of Parliament across the political spectrum, school principals and teachers asking that the status of these crosswalks be reinstated," he said.
"I discussed these concerns with the Commissioner during this time and exceptions were made for four of the crosswalks.
"However, in the end the safety of children is paramount and, as the Minister, I felt duty bound to put the process on hold and have the other 27 crosswalks reinstated while the criteria and the level of funding is reviewed.
"To do this in an open and accountable manner, it was appropriate to direct the Commissioner of Police, despite this course of action being rarely taken.
"I directed the Commissioner as the CEO of the Police Service under Section 32 of the Public Sector Management Act, not under the Police Act.
"I have no legal powers to direct the Commissioner on police operational matters."
Mr Prince said it was important to note that the direction was for a function that did not involve sworn officers.
"The Commissioner is responsible for the general control and allocation of sworn officers that comprise the WA Police Service," he said.
Mr Prince said the move was not generated by the election.
"The Commissioner went to New Zealand for the Christmas and New Year break, so it was appropriate to wait until his return," he said.
"The new school year begins on February 5 and it is imperative that all attendants are back in place by then."
Media contact: Caroline Lacy 9220 5000