Nov 2000 Volume 81 Number 11 "serving the protectors"

Kept Afloat by PASA Support

Dear Peter

Recently while patrolling at Whyalla I was searching scrub-land for a youth who had escaped my custody. As a result of searching for this person I unintentionally collided with the youth who subsequently died from his injuries.

Now that the coronial inquest is completed, I feel there are a few things I need to say publicly. Firstly, I want to thank yourself, Andy, Sean and Mark for your confidence and professionalism. The constant aggressive support that you all showed went a long way towards keeping me afloat during a difficult time. The personal compassion shown was an unexpected extra that also helped.

Secondly, I have to acknowledge the efforts of Mr Barry England. While the process of the Commissioner’s Inquiry was not by any means pleasant, it was thorough and obtained results in a relatively short time. This meant that I found I was treated fairly and had an answer with regard to where I stood fairly quickly, rather than hanging in limbo endlessly. This and the unexpected personal contact and support from Messrs McKenzie and Brown meant that I did not feel abandoned and held some hope for my future. On this point while I don’t expect senior management to show support for every minor incident, their support during this incident made a positive difference.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, I have to keep a promise made to Bill (WAGs) Morris. I hope that I am able to properly convey his message to other members. I have always had what I consider a healthy suspicion of lawyers as I expect would most people in the job. Bill’s message was that members have to understand that when subjected to an investigation, be it a friendly request for a statement from the local boss or a taped interview from Ethics and Standards (IIB), the member is being investigated. I have never conducted an investigation without expecting to pinch someone. We’ve all interviewed offenders glad that they are too stupid to be quiet or too silly to seek legal representation. Just because we as police seek the advice or association or lawyers before committing ourselves to a signed/taped statement it doesn’t mean we’re guilty, hiding, or dishonest. It simply means that we’re smart enough to insist on our rights via asking for representation we’ve already paid for.

Again, gratefully yours
Peter Thomas
Mid-West

Overhaul Police Club

Dear Andy

I write to register my disappointment in the appearance of the Police Club. I think a total make-over is due. As it stands it looks like a bachelor’s pad from 1976. We all hold fond memories of the club in the halcyon days of “pay night”. These are dead. They are exactly that - memories. It’s time to move on and look at the club as a money-making enterprise. I can hear the cries as I write this but listen to my suggestions. We are if not the last certainly one of the last in Australia to have a police club. The other states’ clubs shrivelled to their demise through parochial inward-looking interests. We need to be smarter.

I propose a totally new approach to the club. These include:

• Renovations to the dining room and bar area.
• The advertisement of monthly club luncheons to a wider audience.
• The total reworking of the tired menu.

My suggestion is to open a café where the current dining room stands. This café would have glass frontage out on Carrington St and be segregated from the current bar. Discount meals could be available to past and present members. The café would be in the same vein as what exists in Rundle St. It would incorporate a coffee and cake area with footpath dining to capture all aspects of the lunch, dinner and coffee-break market.

The current bar should be lightened up and modernized to incorporate the poker machines better and make better use of the space available. Members could still meet on the popular Friday night raffle draws and have a drink in uniform away from the prying eyes of the café diners.

The monthly luncheon needs a total rework. This is a gold mine which has only had the surface scratched. These are the equivalent of the National Press Club luncheons and should be given the same prestige. The calibre of the speakers is world class. I could see this being totally revamped with better and more professional dining settings and menu.

The current cost is under $15. Let’s double this, advertise it broadly, invest in some snappy table settings and have a menu with nouvelle cuisine. People will come from near and far if it is done properly and with style. I could see this being broadened to incorporate such events as wine luncheons, motivational speakers and Melbourne Cup/AFL luncheons. The current format caters to the retired members. These are an important group and a discount arrangement could be organized but there is a wider community out there who are willing to part with their money if the environment is right.

Finally, can the menu be changed once in five years? Let’s see the inclusion of different meals and perhaps less of an accent on deep-fried foods.

I know this letter will raise the ire of many members by the mere suggestion of their precious club being attacked, but I also know these views are held by a lot of members who work outside the city square. Some members have not been to the club for 10 years because they see it as a second-rate venue. We need to make the club generate its own revenue. We need to change our mindset and draw on the financial resources of the public sector to prevent the demise of our beloved club. It’s time to sink or swim.

Jason Squire
Constable, 3640/9
Adelaide Enquiries

Response

As with most committees it can sometimes seem a thankless task and it pleases me greatly that members take a direct interest in the day-to-day operation of the Police Club. I encourage their involvement.

The Police Club Inc has now been licensed continuously since about 1959 and successive committees have been proud of the fact that their policies have ensured survival of the club in a very competitive environment.

From having a sense of concern for the longevity of the club and its provision of good service to its members, the last club committee recently gave the ultimate management to the committee of the Police Association of South Australia. This has formalized the previously loose arrangement between club and PASA.

Over the last 10 years the club has itself spent a very large sum of money in the upgrading of both Fenwick Hall and the ground floor bar including the main dining room. From surplus money we have also contributed to the purchase of PASA’s holiday homes.

We are currently in the planning process of giving the kitchen a complete rework, which I am the first to admit, is not before time. As those regular patrons would be aware, we regularly update our menus to provide customers with a wide choice.

Unfortunately, as with any industry that provides a service to the public, we cannot please everyone all of the time, but I can assure members that our aim is to achieve the best that we can under the circumstances.

I am always available to discuss issues concerning either the club as the president or the Police Association as deputy president, and can be contacted via either organization.

Nick Pippos
President, Police Club

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