Australian cops on recruit search told to keep hands off our boys in blue

AUSTRALIAN cops were yesterday told to keep their hands off our boys in blue.

Garda representatives said we needed every single garda we have and called on the Government to step in.

“I have never been shy in saying that we have the finest policemen and women in the world in An Garda Síochána and I think this is an indication of that,” said Garda Representative Association (GRA) president Dermot O’Donnell.

“The point is, we need what we have here. I would be hopeful that the Government would be responsible enough to ensure we wouldn’t loose any of them to Western Australia people.”

The reps are bracing themselves for a recruitment drive next week by the police service of Western Australia.

Western Australia Police (WAPOL) Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan is to lead the drive in person in Dublin.

Mr O’Donnell said the Government must acknowledge the work of gardaí in a tangible way, by boosting garda numbers, increasing resources and providing proper equipment, such as modern cars and working radio systems.

Western Australia is running out of recruits and will have 1,400 vacancies over the next four years.

Ideal applicants would be those with three to five years experience, but more seasoned and specialist staff are also wanted.

The service offers a trainee salary of €25,945 compared to €23,598 here, with a basic salary after nine years of €37,075, compared to €38,964 here.

The average price of new house is only €125,000 to €150,000 in Western Australia, compared to €225,000 to €350,000 here.

Crimes rates in Western Australia are the lowest in the country and gardaí would not find the same prevalence of murders, gangland violence, drug trafficking or drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour.