Police to focus on terror threat at national conference

FIRST ON 7: Police union chiefs from around the country will demand more tools to combat home grown terror when they gather for the annual Police Association conference in Adelaide tomorrow.

An explosion in sinister social media usage and acts of terrorism, like the fatal shooting of Sydney accountant Curtis Cheng, has led to growing concerns about the safety of police officers and the public.

Experts believe that drastic action needs to be taken to combat home grown terror.

“Especially when we have people who are radicalised and want to do harm to Australian authorities,” terrorism expert Dr John Bruni said.

“In a sense there is no degree of safety any more.”

It's not just police who appear to be on edge.

The Public Service Association has hundreds of members doing clerical duties in police stations around the state that could also be in the line of fire.

But the PSA declined a 7 News request to discuss current safety standards and whether it supports calls for more resources.

Both Premier Jay Weatherill and his police minister will be absent from tomorrows conference, due to a community cabinet in the Barossa.

Opposition leader Steven Marshall who will address the conference, says it's bad form they'll be no shows.

“Especially when anti terrorism issues are really on the agenda.”