NCJ Number
84704
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1982) Pages: 82-92
Date Published
1982
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Analysis of the discontinued position of station sergeant at local police stations in New South Wales, Australia, led to the recommendation that the position of station officer be established to handle the duties previously assigned to the station sergeant.
Abstract
The station sergeant was the officer who worked behind the station counter and was the first person to whom citizens spoke upon entering the police station. The station sergeant's duties also included the charging and custody of prisoners and the passing of orders and information to the field police. Other duties included the inspection of records and the receipt and dispatch of telex messages. When the station sergeant position was discontinued, these and other duties were placed on the duty roster and assigned to other members of the police service. The loss of the title resulted in a lowering of morale among some police and in generally unsatisfactory upkeep of police station records. It is recommended that a specialist be designated to perform and control the various station duties, which are complex in nature. The serior member of the service performing duty behind the station counter should be given a title such as station officer which would both identify the position and add to its esteem and authority. In addition, staff performing station duty should be permanently appointed to all such positions worked on a full-time basis. A description of the system used at the Wallsend Division of the police service is included.