Northern Star

THE safety of Coffs Coast residents will not be compromised as NSW police officers strike this week.

“We'll be responding to any job that requires police attendance,” said Coffs Harbour Police Sergeant Frank Cook.

“There's no effect on police response.”

The NSW Police Association said it was forced to take the action and strike after the government failed to follow an Industrial Relations Commission recommendation to resume wage negotiations.

Association president Bob Pritchard said police would 'exercise their discretion' and not issue on-the-spot fines for traffic, parking, rail and boating infringements. Instead, offenders will be issued with warnings for minor offences or court attendance notices for serious matters.

He said the government had agreed to cost the association's pay claim, but the industrial action would continue.

“Despite the government having mishandled negotiations to date, they have now agreed to fully cost our document and also provide costings on how they came to their conclusions,” he told reporters after a hearing at the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) in Sydney yesterday.

The fine-free week began at 6pm on Wednesday and will run until 6pm on Tuesday, July 15.