Police anger at 'ludicrous' drinks policy

Goldfields police are still being subjected to a chaperone while having a social drink with colleagues, despite Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan stating the draconian internal policy had been revoked.

A spokeswoman for the commissioner last week said the policy, which requires all after-hours functions involving police to have a designated attendee who must monitor their colleagues' behaviour, had been rescinded "more than a month ago".

But the Kalgoorlie Miner understands a request to hold a social function under its guidelines was approved within the Goldfields- Esperance Police District about two weeks ago, indicating the policy remains in place.

Further, the WA Police Union this week spent two days visiting police stations in Perth and said not a single officer had reported seeing any written advice rescinding the "ludicrous" internal rules.

The policy requires the non-drinking attendee to monitor the behaviour of their colleagues for the duration of any social event.

That person must advise their colleagues to leave if they are perceived to have drunk too much, and accompany officers to any licensed premises after the function to continue monitoring their behaviour.

WAPU was notified of the policy by "understandably aggrieved" officers earlier this year and raised the issue with the commissioner at its February board meeting.

A formal letter outlining the union's concerns was sent to Mr O'Callaghan on February 26 and it was advised soon after a new draft policy was imminent.

After inquiries from the Miner, the spokeswoman for Mr O'Callaghan said the policy had been modified by WAPOL's corporate executive team. WAPU president George Tilbury called on the commissioner to rescind the policy immediately.

"Over the last two days, I have visited numerous stations and work areas across the metropolitan region and not one of our members has seen any written advice rescinding this policy," he said.

"Therefore, our members are still having to comply with this ludicrous policy which limits their opportunities to interact with fellow police officers in a social environment."

Attempts were made to contact the commissioner's office yesterday, but the Miner did not receive a response.