The Iemma Government must re-establish exit interviews for Police, following revelations there are up to 80 vacancies in key criminal investigation squads, Acting Shadow Police Minister Greg Smith said today.

“Police Minister David Campbell must begin to take some responsibility for every Police Officer and ensure those who leave are given an opportunity to clearly indicate their reasons for quitting,” Mr Smith said.

“It may be policy for Police to be quizzed about their decision, but it certainly isn’t being actively implemented and that is Mr Campbell’s domain,” he said.

“The Iemma Labor Government can no longer keep its head in the sand on this important issue. These are important crime solving squads that have been left to languish under Labor mis-management.

“Police resources are stretched in many areas across the Force, none more so than the State Crime Command.

“Detectives have an important role in both preventing and solving crime. To be 50 officers short in the specialist areas of gangs, property, Middle Eastern and South East Asian organised crime squads and the firearms and regulated industries squad is putting Officers and the public at risk.

“The dedicated Officers who remain in these units are being left severely under strength, substantially limiting their ability to effectively tackle crime,” he said.

“The Iemma Labor Government has no idea why Police Officers are leaving in droves and therefore has no plan to stem the tide.

“David Campbell and Morris Iemma must immediately implement a program of exit interviews with every Officer who has made the decision to leave,” Mr Smith said.