Cops ready to shop

Labor Candidate for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon today welcomed the Iemma Government's decision to build a new and improved police station for Lake Illawarra.

Ms McMahon said the improved accommodation would be a significant boost to local police in their efforts to drive down crime and protect the community.

This comes on top of the 20 additional officers Lake Illawarra Area Command received following the last attestation in January.

"The Iemma Government is committed to giving our police officers appropriate facilities and accommodation to ensure they work in a safe, modern, comfortable environment," Ms McMahon said.

"I know hardworking families appreciate the efforts of our local police in protecting this community.

"Whilst buildings themselves do not drive down crime, improving police accommodation is critical to supporting the services provided by our officers.

"This project is another example of this Government's ongoing commitment to the

improvement of police facilities.

Ms McMahon said the Iemma Government had committed to adding a total of 1500 new police to the NSW Police Force by 2011, and the first 750 were already on the beat.

"As part of that commitment, we'll deploy 461 new officers to specialist roles and 1,039 officers to our local police stations," Ms McMahon said.

"That means the necessary work of building extra capacity into our police stations is more important than ever.

"This Government is committed to new and improved services for NSW.

"On the other hand, the out-of-touch Member for Vaucluse plans to run down vital public services by sacking 20,000 workers.

"This will affect one in seven police and put more of them behind desks rather than on the frontline where they are needed most."