July 2000 Volume 81 Number 7 "serving the protectors"
The Last Shift

Dear Peter

I wish to terminate my membership from the Police Association as my last day of service with SAPOL was March 31, 2000.

After almost 20 years of service, the vast majority with STAR Force, I leave with many happy memories and an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. Unfortunately these feelings emanate retrospective of my return in 1999 after five-and-a-half years in Papua New Guinea to an organization that had fundamentally changed.

I have nothing to add - concerns have repeatedly been raised through the medium of the Police Journal. These concerns are valid and need addressing by other than lip service.

To all members I wish you the best in what can only be described as difficult and unfortunate times.

Regards
Trevor Black
Sgt 3531/2

Dear Andy

Due to my resignation from SAPOL effective as of April 18, 2000, I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association of South Australia. I recall my last day of active service with SAPOL being a rather pleasant day in December 1997.

I have since commenced employment within the private sector. I now have the opportunity to reach far greater heights than those available to me in the past.

Unlike those who have preceded me and have taken this opportunity to voice their dissatisfaction in regard to the management and future direction of SAPOL I believe the senior executive group is doing a remarkable job considering the limited talent available within.

I thank all the people I have met during my time in the police force and wish you all the best for the future.

Contrary to popular belief it is possible for a swine to move through the air using aerodynamic forces.

Alister Mitchell
Parks Traffic

Dear Andy

I hereby tender my resignation from PASA due to my retirement from SAPOL, my last day of service being May 19, 2000.

I thank the Police Association for its on-going service to members, and for striving to improve working conditions for all.

I also thank those members who I have worked with over the years, especially those who supported me through a very trying time a year or so ago. That period will always be remembered by me as a very painful memory, caused by certain persons, who will remain anonymous, but who can only be described as self-serving, autocratic managers who have only their own barrow to push, disregarding the feelings of other workers.

As a result of a change of workplace within SAPOL, I subsequently found myself back “on the road” with an extremely supportive team. It was working with “WorkGroup1” (Mullet, Runt and Buttman) where, to coin a phrase, my faith in humanity was restored. I had been off the road for about 22 years, and although the core business is basically the same, this crew steered and guided me through the last few months in the job - knowing that I was not the happiest chappie - with plenty of humour, close teamwork, training and mateship. My sincere thanks to you three.

To the rest of the Riverland crew, thanks for your support and friendship over the past eight years, and all the best.

For those who are interested, although I have retired from the job I have taken on a new role as co-ordinator of Jobnet, an employment and training service for disabled persons, based in Berri, so I will still be around.

Yours sincerely
Dave Harris
Berri

Dear Andy

It is with mixed feelings that I tender my resignation from the Police Association of South Australia in line with my resignation from SAPOL - effective May 21, 2000.

Many now know that I have taken up a position as the Channel Nine police reporter and I do look forward to continuing to see old colleagues - even if it is on the other side of the crime scene tape.

I have over recent years read with interest the range of comments from people leaving SAPOL and their courage to venture out beyond comfort zones inspired me enough to take the step.

My 11 years in SAPOL have covered the full range of emotions, and I walk away with the knowledge that I have made many friends and shared many ups and downs - both on a personal and professional level.

I still hold a firm belief that police possess unique qualities of determination and continue to “get the job done” in the face of pressure and adversity. There are many good results that police often take for granted and if I had a criticism it would be that these success stories are not marketed and sold to the public. People need to know how hard police work is, the obstacles (both internal and external) that come with the job, and the pressures it brings with it.

The police complaint systems and standard of investigations is an area that needs to be addressed - this I can personally vouch for. Also the issue of “integrity checks” has to be better handled in a more responsible fashion than it has in the past.

I wish to thank those from Elizabeth, Northern Command Response Division, the many areas I have been seconded to, and most recently those I had contact with at Media Liaison Section. I hold onto the positive belief that SAPOL is changing and growing - and whilst I did not see the end results from Focus 21 I believe that SAPOL is on the right track to becoming a more dynamic organization.

SAPOL must remember that it is a public organization and as such has to be held up to public scrutiny. I am more than happy to be contacted in confidence if there is an issue that needs to be raised.

I wish everyone the very best for the future and reinforce that life does continue outside the SAPOL comfort zone.

Adam Thomson
SC1G 647/1
Media Liaison

The Secretary

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association following my retirement from SAPOL, my last day of service being May 22, 2000.

Through the medium of the Police Journal I extend a sincere “all the best” to the many friends with whom I have served since 1965. Indeed, to all members of SAPOL and to the executive and committee of the Police Association I wish you well.

Clive R Longley
Detective Senior Sergeant
Adelaide Investigations

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association. My last day of service is May 31, 2000.

I have decided to embark on a new career relevant to my current studies as a financial adviser at Patrick Whelan Investments.

I wish to thank the Police Association for its fantastic efforts during my service in providing better working conditions and support for SAPOL employees. Good luck in the future.

A big thank you to everyone I have worked with, especially members of SFIB and cadet courses 26 and 27 (1989).

Drop in for coffee any time.

Brett Schatto
Senior Constable
2623/8
Serious Fraud Investigation Branch

Dear Sirs

I wish to tender my resignation from the Police Association. My last day of service was May 31, 2000. I leave to take up a position at WorkCover in the investigations unit.

I have had a most interesting time at SAPOL over the past 16 years and wish my colleagues the very best. In particular I thank members of the Port Adelaide CJU and the police academy for making the past three years the most enjoyable I have spent in the job. Some of my faith in the police service has been restored having had the opportunity to teach at the academy and see the enthusiasm emitted by the cadets. I am pleased to see that we are now recruiting from a wider range of society and believe this may improve some of the culture within the ranks.

It was interesting to note the compliments given to me by superiors once I informed them of my resignation. It was really encouraging to be given this positive feedback but it is a shame that it took 16 years and a resignation to receive them. I encourage supervisors to give feedback to their staff while they are still members of SAPOL. We underestimate the power of a few positive words when a job has been well done.

The South Australian film director, Scott Hicks, was quoted recently as saying that we are all given opportunities but the important thing is in recognizing those opportunities. I was presented with an opportunity and was fortunate enough to recognize it. That is why I am leaving to try my hand at something different. I feel that life is short and I would like to experience as much as possible and be able to look back and have no regrets.

Margaret Bernadette Elliott
Senior Constable 5030/8
Port Adelaide Prosecution

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association, my last day of service being May 31, 2000. I have moved over to the public service where I am now an investigator within the Attorney General’s department. Through the medium of the Police Journal I thank all those with whom I have worked, for the experiences we shared and the occasional laugh at life. Best wishes for the future.

Andy Hill
Ex-Detective Senior Constable
Port Adelaide Investigations

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to my resignation from SAPOL.

My last day of service will be June 2, 2000.

I leave having enjoyed the last 17 years and extend my best wishes for the future to all members.

Yours sincerely
Linda Mildren
Detective Senior Constable
Coronial Investigation Section

Dear Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective June 11, 2000. I thank all the people I have worked with for the memories and the friendship. A special thanks to Dixie and the team at Norwood and to everyone at Millicent.

Kind regards
Lyndi Gepp
Constable 1798/5
Millicent Police

Dear Peter and Andy

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association, my last day of service being June 12, 2000.

I have decided to return to my previous occupation, youth work.

I thank you for the support and assistance I received after my involvement in a fatal shooting in July last year when you responded promptly and efficiently to the needs of myself and the other officers involved.

I have decided that police work is not for me and it is time to move on.

Again, I thank you for the support you gave myself and my friends at a very difficult time, when we found ourselves involved in a situation that every police officer dreads. I have no doubt that this support will continue as long as they need you.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks to the friends I have made and thanks to everyone who has assisted me during my time with SAPOL. Thanks for the laughs and the good times.

And, a special thank you to you, BT, for saving my life.

Constable Leisa McIlvena
4205/7

Dear Peter

I hereby advise you of my separation from SAPOL; my last day of service being June 14, 2000.

I wish my former work colleagues all the best for the future.

Yours respectfully
Dave Gibson
FCC 157/7
Mounted Cadre

Dear Peter

Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement from SAPOL, my last day of service being July 12, 2000.

Yours faithfully
DC Schwartz
Senior Constable
1593/4

Dear Sir

I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association of South Australia effective July 14, 2000, due to my retirement from SAPOL.

Yours sincerely
JR Glenn
Sergeant 304/7
Sturt Police Station

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