Australia's national security environment has changed. Officers now face greater risks and increased public and political scrutiny.
In response, CPSU has a Critical Incident Service for members involved in law
enforcement operations or use of firearms. This service gives CPSU members
expert help when they most need it. The service provides 24 hour telephone
referral to criminal defence legal advice.
What is a critical incident?
A critical incident is where an officer is involved in the death or serious
injury of another person in the course of performing their duties. A critical
incident may include an incident where death or serious injury occurs in the
course of:
the discharge of a firearm
the use of law enforcement equipment
a person being in custody or detention
a pursuit, surveillance, boarding, search, enter, seizure or other law
enforcement operation
What is the Critical Incident Service?
The Critical Incident Service is a 24-hour per day telephone service,
designed to refer you to a legal advisor at the time of a critical incident. The
telephone service takes your call and records your details. The operator then
calls out to refer your details to the first available lawyer. When the lawyer
contacts you they will be able to provide immediate advice over the phone. The
advice is aimed at upholding your rights in any investigation or other action
arising from a critical incident that may place you in jeopardy.
The first two hours of legal advice are free for any financial member of the
CPSU at the time of the critical incident. Any further legal advice is subject
to prior approval by the CPSU. Discounted rates for criminal defence legal work
are also available for CPSU members.
How good is the legal advice?
Our principal legal firm are experienced criminal defence lawyers who
specialise in representing uniformed officers. The firm has provided a Critical
Incident Service for state police officers for over 10 years and has been
contracted by CPSU to provide a 24 hour service.
Our principal lawyer was a Detective Senior Sergeant with the NSW Police for
16 years before becoming a criminal defence specialist for police officers. He
is the first lawyer on the referral call list.
Who is the service for?
This service is only available for financial members of the CPSU who have
registered for the Critical Incident Service. The service is designed for CPSU
members including, but not limited, to:
AFP personnel
Australian Crime Commission personnel
Compliance officer
Criminal investigator
Custodial officer (ACT)
Customs officer
Defence ranger
Immigration officer
Parliamentary security officer
Biosecurity officer
Senior prison officer (NT)
How do I register?
You must register for the service by filling in the
online registration form or by contacting your local CPSU delegate. The
CIS is for CPSU members only. If you are not yet a member, check the
appropriate box on the registration form and CPSU will contact you to process
your membership application before registering you for the service.
After registration, you will be contacted by CPSU and provided with the
number for the 24 hour per day telephone service
