Last week, local NSW Police Association members renewed calls for Corrective Services NSW to take greater responsibility for the transport of prisoners and help take the burden off local cops.

Tamworth Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party candidate Jeff Bacon said the problem had gone on too long.

“The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party are 100 per cent behind the NSW Police Association for this change,” Mr Bacon said.

“We are calling on the responsible minister, Mr Elliott, to immediately fix this problem.

“He has known about it for far too long and there is no reason why they can’t fix it.

“As a party we first made representation to the parliament in April about this issue and followed it up again in May with our member Phil Donato, and yet we find ourselves here today because of inaction from the government.”

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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he was working hard to resolve the issue.

“My role is to ensure our police are resourced properly,” Mr Anderson said.

“I want to see more police on the beat keeping our community safe.

“That’s why I will continue to work hard, as I have been doing, to resolve this issue.”

Mr Bacon called on Mr Anderson to push the issue further on behalf of local cops.

“I would like to know where Kevin Anderson sits on this issue,” he said.

“The simple question is: is he going to stand up to the Liberal party or is he just going to do what he is told?

“It’s not the job of police to provide a taxi service for criminals, it’s as simple as that.

“They need to be out in the community doing their job.”

Along with calls for a change in prisoner transport protocols, the association representatives also called for a new administration officer to be based in Gunnedah.

“I know an administrative officer is needed in Gunnedah,” Mr Anderson said.

“I have already had meetings with local police representatives to help make it a reality.

“I am always working hard to deliver the best results for our local cops and I will continue to do that.”