Police to get $1250 COVID pay plus leave

POLICE officers will receive a $1250 payment and an extra two weeks of leave as part of a deal struck with the State Government for what they say is recognition for “going above and beyond” during the coronavirus pandemic.

The deal follows the State Government setting a 12month wage freeze for all public servants and unions individually negotiating for their members.

It’s understood the police are the only union to have negotiated the extra leave, an entitlement they say was also given to frontline officers for the Commonwealth Games and G20 Summit in Brisbane.

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers said the deal came after “thorough negotiations and discussions”.

The $1250 payment is estimated to cost the State Government $15 million.

“As we all are only too aware, police and all members of the QPU are the ones on the frontline during this pandemic,” Mr Leavers wrote to members.

“We are the ones working on the borders … the ones doing the compliance. We are the ones keeping the public safe.

“The QPU has secured recognition from the government of just how much we are going above and beyond to keep Queensland safe.

“These achievements have been no easy feat and have been achieved by the strong advocacy of the entire QPU executive and the tough and insightful negotiations of the full time officials.”

Mr Leavers said union members would receive the two weeks of extra leave to be classified as “COVID-19 leave” and the $1250 in coming weeks.

As part of the negotiated deal he said the police management development program previously undertaken by officers to advance their careers would be scrapped and a new program that placed more emphasis on operational, frontline and leadership skillswould be introduced.