By Ian Neubauer
A new 30-strong alcohol-enforcement command embedded with a full-time representative of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) will be created to combat alcohol-related violence in NSW.
The announcement came on the heels of a new report by the Auditor-General on alcohol-related crime in the state that called for closer cooperation between police and the OLGR, greater police numbers to target violent ‘hot spots’ and more training for police.
“The report confirmed everything we know about alcohol-relate crime,” said Police commissioner Andrew Scipione. “We have already taken action to address many of the issues raised in the report.”
The commissioner said police are already targeting hot spots and attributed spikes in alcohol-related violence in these areas to a small contingent of problematic hotels.
“Ten to 15 percent of hotels create problems,” he said. “The vast majority of hotels are well administered and comply with regulations.”
The commissioner added that by July 2009, every officer on the force will have undergone specific training in alcohol-related violence following the assignment of a principal tutor who has been tasked to author a new curriculum. He said that combined with the 30-strong task force, the new training regime would have a measured effect on alcohol-related violence in the state.
“This is not about alcohol consumption but alcohol misuse,” he said. “This comes down to responsibility. People need to be responsible for their actions.”