Q: Is the Retired and Former Police Association (RFPA) the same organization as the Police Association of NSW (PANSW)?
NO!…… they are not the same. The RFPA and the PANSW are distinct and independent organizations. The PANSW serves as the industrial union representing current NSW Police Officers. In contrast, the RFPA is a social organization that represents retired and former NSW Police Officers, including those who were formerly sworn officers in any Police Force, as well as Associates who were not sworn Police Officers.
Q) What are the Categories of Membership?
Full Membership is available to retired or former members of the NSW Police Force (Service) who have disengaged by whatever formal process as having performed honourable service.
Associate Membership is available to any widow, widower, spouse or partner of a Full Member, or a former police officer from another recognised force, or unsworn former police employee who has disengaged after honourable service, or any other suitable person nominated by two full Members and whose interaction with the RFPA would be valued.
Q) Why does the RFPA require an annual membership fee?
A: The annual membership fee serves several important purposes. It helps cover the costs associated with membership, including the issuance of Member ID cards, production and delivery of the Gazette, financing of branch and general membership activities, and providing merchandise at cost. Additionally, the fee supports office maintenance, secretarial services, web hosting, communications, and Committee of Management business activities.
It’s important to note that we operate as a Tier 2 Incorporated Association under the Fair Trading Act No. 68 of 1987 (as amended) and hold professional indemnity insurance for nominated office-bearers who act in good faith and comply with governing legislation. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that all Committee of Management and local branch officials are volunteers.
Q: Do I have to belong to a Branch?
A: When you join the RFPA, you have the option to be associated with one of the 27 Branches across the State. Being attached to a branch doesn’t require you to attend branch meetings or participate in branch activities.
However, being part of a branch ensures that you receive information about both Branch and RFPA events and announcements that may impact you. The branch may also include your email on their mailing list, allowing you to stay informed about RFPA social and other activities.
Typically, members choose the branch closest to their residence, but they can also select any of the 27 State-Wide branches if it’s more convenient for them.
You can change the branch you are attached to at any time, and for any reason, by completing a Branch Transfer Form here.
Q) What is the process for applying for membership of the RFPA?
Fill out the application form and call the Secretary on 0448214366 or 0425336801 to discuss how you would like to pay your Membership fees. There are several methods which attract the discounted fee of $26 per annum and minimise our workload.
Either Scan the Membership Application Form and email it to the Secretary () or post the completed form to the Secretary at PO Box 201, Hawks Nest NSW 2324, together with evidence of your payment.
Once your completed RFPA Membership Form and Payment has been received by the Secretary, the process is as follows:-
- Your Membership Status is Pending Member. You ARE NOT YET a Member of the Retired & Former Police Association of NSW Inc. You will receive the Quarterly RFPA Gazette.
- You will be contacted by email or phone by the Secretary that your Membership Application has been received and your Status is that of a Pending Member.
- At the next available Committee of Management (CoM) meeting (usually held every month), your application will be submitted to the CoM for approval.
- Please note that depending upon when your application is received, it could take up to two months for you to be contacted with the result of the CoM decision. This is to ensure probity checks are completed.
- If your application is approved, you will be contacted by the Secretary and the Secretary of the RFPA Branch you have nominated on the Membership Application form. If you have not nominated an RFPA branch, the Secretary will attach your membership to the closest branch to where you reside. You DO NOT have to attend branch meetings to remain a member of the RFPA.
- Your RFPA Membership card will be either sent to you or, you will be advised that it will be presented at the next branch meeting.
- You will then be entitled to exercise all the benefits of RFPA Membership.
- If your Membership Application is declined by the Committee of Management, you will be advised of the decision and reasons, and invited to submit your objection to the decision in writing to the Committee of Management.
If after RFPA membership is approved, and you are a Member of the Retired & Former Police Association of NSW, and the Committee of Management become aware of any issues which contravene the RFPA standards of behaviour, the Committee of Management may decide on your continued Membership under the provisions stated in the RFPA Constitution.
RFPA Membership Forms are available here.
Q) What are the Payment Methods for RFPA membership?
Choose how you want to pay your Membership Fee. Automatic deduction on 1st July each year is our preferred payment method and saves you having to remember to pay your subs each year. It also saves our processing time.
Please Note that cheques and Money Orders are no longer accepted for payment.
If you are completing a Membership Form for the first time, you will need to pay your current years Subs of $28 as outlined in the Annually options below, before setting up Automatic payments for subsequent years membership to commence on 1st July next year.
- Automatic on 1st July each year by Direct Debit – OUR PREFERRED METHOD
- Annually on 1st July each year by Bank Transfer from your Police Bank Account to our Police Bank Account – BSB No. 815000 Account No. 70483S1 membership fee of $28.00.
- Annually on 1st July each year by Bank Transfer from any other Bank or Financial Institution to Police Bank – BSB No. 815000 Account No. 000070483 membership fee of $28.00
- Annually by Credit or Debit Card by EFTPOS membership fee of $28.00 – Contact our State Secretary who can accept CC Payments 0488 214 366
- Annually by Cash at your bank branch to our Police Bank Account… membership fee of $28.00 BSB No. 815000 Account No. 000070483
IN ALL CASES USE YOUR NAME & RFPA ID OR YOUR REGISTERED NUMBER AS REFERENCE
Q) What is my RFPA Member ID and where can I find it?
Your RFPA Member ID is NOT your former Police Registered Number.
Each Member of the RFPA is allocated a unique, personal Member ID. This is a 4-digit number e.g. 1234 which uniquely identifies each member in our organisation. This is standard procedure throughout the world and allows organisations to identify individuals rather than by name, of which there could be many the same.
Your Member ID can be found above your name on the RFPA Gazette Mailing List or, on the newer perpetual RFPA Membership cards. If you cannot find it there, you can fill in a Member Inquiry Form here and it will be emailed to you.
Q: What happens if I pay my annual subscription but forget to renew on July 1st?
- a) If you forget to renew, your Membership Status will be flagged as “Inactive.” You won’t be able to vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), but you’ll still receive the RFPA Gazette for one year.
- b) If your subscription is outstanding for more than one year but less than two years, your Membership Status will be flagged as “Lapsed.” In this case, you won’t receive the RFPA Gazette and won’t be able to vote at the AGM. However, you can still pay your arrears, and your Membership Status will be updated to “paid up” and “Active.”
- c) If your subscription remains outstanding for over two years, your Membership Status will automatically be flagged as “Cancelled.” You’ll lose all benefits of RFPA membership, including the RFPA Gazette. To reactivate your membership, complete a new Membership Form, pay your subscriptions, and go through the membership application process.
Remember to stay on top of your renewal dates to maintain your active membership status!
Q: I’m 80 years old. Do I still need to pay RFPA Subs?
- If you turned 80 before July 1, 2023, you’re considered an RFPA Veteran and are exempt from further RFPA Subs.
- If you turned 80 after July 1, 2023, you’re still an RFPA Veteran, but you must continue paying your RFPA Subs as before.
Q: Can I receive the RFPA Gazette digitally instead of by post?
A: Currently, as of August 2024, the RFPA Gazette is not available in digital format. However, the Committee of Management is exploring options to provide the Quarterly RFPA Gazette in a digital format similar to the Police News for Police Association members. Sending the Gazette by post incurs rising postage costs, so this matter is under consideration.
The PANSW Police News is distributed digitally by default, and members must opt out if they prefer to receive it in print. If the RFPA decides to distribute the RFPA Gazette digitally, it will be an opt-in choice. In other words, each individual member can decide whether to receive the Gazette in printed or digital form. As of now, no decision has been made regarding this issue.
Q) RFPA Membership Cards: What You Need to Know
Every member of the Retired & Former Police Association (RFPA) receives an RFPA Membership Card upon joining the association.
Previous Process (Until 2023):
- RFPA Membership cards were renewed annually for free for members who paid their subscriptions (Subs) each financial year.
- The card displayed the expiry date of the current membership year.
- However, this process was labour-intensive and costly.
New Approach (Since 2023):
- The RFPA now issues perpetual membership cards to all new members and those whose cards were lost or damaged.
- The new perpetual Membership card does NOT have an expiry date and includes:
- RFPA Member ID
- QR code for quick access to the RFPA website.
- In the future, the RFPA may issue digital RFPA Membership Cards.
Replacement Cards:
- If a member wants to replace their old Membership Card with a new Perpetual Card, there is a $5 processing fee. You can apply for a replacement card here.
Important Clarification:
- The RFPA membership cards only serve as identification for association members, regardless of whether their membership is current.
- These cards do not have any monetary value, cannot be used to avoid traffic tickets, do not grant membership to other clubs or organizations, and offer no Member discounts… yet..
Q: Can I attend an RFPA branch meeting before joining to see what the RFPA is all about and see if I like it?
A: Absolutely! Simply select a branch to visit (you can find the closest one on the Branches Pages) and take note of the meeting times of the branch you would like to visit. Not every branch meeting is a formal meeting… the branches also have social events which you may like to attend.
Reach out to the branch secretary via email or phone to confirm the meeting dates, and then attend the meeting. You’ll receive a warm welcome, and chances are you’ll encounter RFPA members you know or served with during your time in the Job.