THE Murray River police district chief says he has received no objections from officers over COVID-19 vaccination being compulsory.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW police announced last week that all its employees would be required to have one vaccine dose by September 30 and be fully immunised by November 30.
Superintendent Paul Smith said he had not had "any opposition" to the order and expected his members, who serve an area from Moulamein to Albury, would be able to comply.
"Our workforce has been pretty good in the take-up and there is certainly opportunity there," he said.
"We're quite lucky within Albury Wodonga Health and Murrumbidgee Health...for those who need to be vaccinated it seems to be quite readily available, both vaccines at this stage."
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Hotel owner happy to be back but capacity limits 'overly cautions'
- Family's burning desire to see beloved Demons win premiership
- Driver runs away from fatal North East crash after utility rolls
- Students glad to be back after another stint learning at home
- Revamp of Noreuil Park toilets on cards amid rebuild cost concerns
Albury mayor and former policeman Kevin Mack supports COVID shots being mandatory, although he noted there were court challenges to the directive.
"You need to protect your troops, the whole issue of safety and the whole issue of Workcover come into play there and I think it's a personal choice, but I think the employer needs to have the right to mandate at certain levels," Cr Mack said.
"It's public protection because if a police member goes to a job and they're not vaccinated, they may be asymptomatic and they might be infecting others."
Member for Albury Justin Clancy echoed the views of Superintendent Smith and Cr Mack.
"It is striking the balance, there is the challenge there between the personal freedoms but also as both the mayor and the superintendent have said, the fact that they are public interface, that there is the risk to the community, there is the risk to colleagues," Mr Clancy said.
"In that regard it is also about knowing that we really need to get our community vaccinated, so that we can move together forward safely."
Victoria Police has not committed to mandatory COVID vaccinations for officers and staff.