Police helicopter pilot quits demanding higher pay for family support.

A police helicopter pilot, Sacha Bruce Gimenez, resigned from the Queensland Police force after eight years, citing financial strain due to a salary of $183,000 not meeting the rising cost of living. He sought accrued long service leave but was denied by both the Queensland Police and the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). The QIRC ruled on September 24 that Mr. Gimenez was not entitled to the $53,500 payment as he resigned just short of the ten years required for long service leave.

Mr. Gimenez claimed that his resignation was due to financial pressures and a deteriorating workplace culture. He mentioned that his requests for extra work hours or permission for a side job were turned down by the Queensland Police. However, the QIRC found that his dissatisfaction with work conditions was a longstanding issue and not solely related to financial concerns.

The commissioner, John Dwyer, highlighted that Mr. Gimenez failed to provide evidence of household expenses to support his claim for increased remuneration. Mr. Dwyer stated that while Mr. Gimenez desired higher pay to support his family, he did not demonstrate why it was a necessity. The ruling emphasized that Mr. Gimenez's dissatisfaction with the Queensland Police was a significant factor in his resignation, rather than solely financial pressures.