That's the opinion of the Orange police union representative Terry Betts.

Mr Betts was responding to a report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday by the Auditor General's Department highlighting the number of police who have second jobs and may turn up for shifts already fatigued.

“We have a number of officers here who trained in other professions such as electricians, plumbers and painters, before they trained as police officers," Mr Betts said.

“We also have people who like to work at jobs like a brickie's labourer on their days off because it's a release from the stresses of the job and helps support their family.

“Police officers are 98 per cent behind the current rostering system.”

Mr Betts said officers who were paid to referee sporting games or were in the Army Reserve were also counted in the statistics as having a second paid job.

Superintendent Mark Szalajko was contacted by the Central Western Daily for his opinion on 12-hour rostering.

“Every command is different – but it works effectively for us,” he said.

Supt. Szalajko conceded that under the present system officers handling a case may be off for days at a time, contributing to a public perception of inefficiency.

“But that doesn't happen for major crimes. Another officer is allocated. With minor cases people may have to wait a few days," he said.

“But even when we had an eight-hour rostering system in place we still came in for some criticism.”

Supt Szalajko said he has a policy of monitoring sick leave reports to see if second jobs are affecting staffing.

“There is no indication that is the case in this command,” he said.

In his report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat called for a restructuring of the police rostering system as it is contributing to inefficiencies in the force.

The Auditor-General said the 'block' system allows officers to work two day shifts, two night shifts and then have six days off.

Mr Betts said the system for rostering used in New South Wales helps attract people to a career in the police force, in contrast to other states.

Have your say: Do you think police should be allowed to work a second job on their days off? Has your police enquiry been delayed by police rostering? Email janice.harris@ruralpress.com