January 2000 Volume 81 Number 1 "serving the protectors"
By Andy Dunn

Facing The Battles

The many dangers of police work are undeniable. For decades they have been extensively documented. They include everything from minor barroom scuffles from which cops emerge with bloody noses, to the sheer evil of bombings, which leave not even a chance of survival.

For police officers, cruising the streets can sometimes feel like traversing a war zone, where battles continually rage and casualty lists grow. And those battles are, of course, ones from which police themselves sometimes end up as the casualties, with physical, mental or emotional scarring.

Sadly, the incidence of vicious armed and unarmed assaults on police remains high. But as illustrated by the meritorious actions of Paul Mitchell, Stephen Andrews and Marty Davis, police are never deterred from their core role as community protectors.

Armed and Entranced revealed these officers’ determination to stand before an innocent civilian, confront intense aggression intended for her and, in the process, place their own personal safety at enormous risk.

Luckily, they emerged from their particular battle suffering only the effects of capsicum spray.

Today, they continue to police the streets with total commitment. But who knows how many equally dangerous encounters they’ll face before their careers are over? Certainly their families don’t.

And officers’ loved ones - who invariably suffer a flow-on effect from these encounters - are often overlooked. They are left with worry and in anticipation of what their husbands, wives, parents or children will face during their coming shifts. What comfort can they be given?

The SA community is indeed fortunate to be policed by men and women who are prepared to battle on in the face of any adversity.

The Police Journal commends officers Mitchell, Andrews and Davis on their truly courageous actions.

Country’s Oldest

A recent letter from a concerned reader raised the issue of Australian police unions’ establishment dates. The reader found that PASA’s West Australian colleagues had believed their union to be the country’s oldest.

The Police Journal can politely inform them that the Police Association of South Australia - established in 1911 - is indeed Australia’s oldest police union. The Western Australia Police Union of Workers was formed in 1912.

The PASA has already begun planning celebrations for its 90th birthday in 2001. The Police Journal will, of course, report extensively on this grand event.

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