Tasmania Police Review Calls for More Support Services

Tasmania Police are fielding 138,756 emergency calls each year, and a groundbreaking review says the answer isn't simply hiring more officers.

An independent assessment released this week found that police have become the default response for problems that other services should handle. Officers reported spending up to four hours waiting in hospital emergency rooms and performing civil duties that aren't core police work.

The good news? Tasmania is taking a smarter approach. Commissioner Donna Adams announced 39 recommendations that focus on upgrading technology, streamlining processes, and most importantly, investing in early intervention services that help people before situations escalate to emergencies.

The numbers tell a hopeful story about community awareness. Family violence incidents have grown 250 percent over the past decade, but experts say that's partly because more people feel safe coming forward. Alina Thomas from Engender Equality praised the proactive approach.

"Victim survivors should feel like there are options when they're not in a crisis," Thomas said. The review supports funding organizations that can help during those earlier stages, taking pressure off police while getting people better support.

The Ripple Effect

When police spend less time on administrative tasks and hospital security, they can focus on actual policing. Officers currently juggle 28 different computer systems and have resorted to using personal WhatsApp accounts to share information because their official tools are outdated.

The review's technology upgrades will change that. Artificial intelligence tools will reduce paperwork, and integrated systems will eliminate duplicate data entry. These improvements mean officers spend more time in communities and less time at desks.

Police Association president Shane Tilley welcomed the focus on collaboration with other agencies. "The key is that we close that circle and get those agencies working together with us," he said.

Tasmania is proving that meeting rising demand doesn't always mean adding resources. Sometimes it means using them smarter and ensuring every agency does what it does best.

The review's recommendations are already shaping Tasmania Police priorities, with immediate changes underway alongside longer-term improvements that will benefit communities for years to come.