The budget of the Department of Police and Emergency Management remains under considerable pressure and all areas of expenditure are being continuously reviewed.

Mobile telephones are a considerable expense, with approximately 265 telephones costing about $15,000 a month.

To reduce this amount, consideration is being given to withdrawing all mobile telephones from 1 January 2012, with the exception of those issued to officers ranked Inspector and above, senior executive service positions and staff support.

On-call duty is not considered a sufficient reason to be provided with a mobile telephone.  Consideration is also being given to replacing the provision of a mobile telephone, for those who retain access, with an allowance.

Comment from within the Department is invited, and any action will be taken once the responses are reviewed.

Phil Wilkinson
Assistant Commissioner