June 2001 Volume 82 Number 6
"serving the protectors"
| June 2001 Volume 82 Number 6 "serving the protectors" |
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Dear Peter
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association, my final shift being April 13, 2001.
I am leaving SAPOL to commence as a senior technical standards and safety officer with the Office of the Technical Regulator in the Department of Energy Policy. After 10 years of policing, I am looking forward to the challenge of a new job, the lack of shiftwork and having weekends to myself again.
I express my best wishes to all those with whom I have worked over the years. I will take away a lot of fond memories of working on the old team 3 at Norwood Patrols and, in particular, my time as an operative at Surveillance Section.
Best wishes
Darren Pegram
Senior Constable 341/0
Holden Hill Investigations
Dear Sir
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective April 25, 2001, this being my last day of service with SAPOL.
After 14 years of service, I have come to the realization that I am turning into one of those crusty connies who was in the job when I first graduated. Sitting around waffling about the good old days and telling the next generation of the way things were. There is still a sprinkling of those connies still in the job. They’re still bitter and twisted but stay in the job for some reason only known to themselves. For myself, however, I have come to the conclusion that enough is enough. The time is right to get out while I’m still young enough to do something different and maybe get back a bit of my life that’s been eaten up by the department.
From my current position at COMCEN, the decision was easy to leave the job rather than return to the road. The unrealistic expectations put on the general patrol officer today is ridiculous. Seeing up to 10 jobs being on hold at any one time and only two patrols to dispatch to is just not on, the pressure on the patrolman has never been greater. You can understand why the carpet’s getting worn a bit thin at Welfare and Psych sections.
I thank those at COMMS who assisted me in my hour of need. Your understanding and support were of great comfort. It’s a pity the result wasn’t different for all the heartache it caused.
Finally, I thank the association for its efforts over the years in relation to conditions and pay obtained for the members. Whatever you’re aiming for in the next negotiations, double it, because those who are scratching at the coalface deserve every cent.
Goodbye and good luck
Barrie L Kain
Constable 3246/9
The Secretary
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective May 25, 2001. I am off to sunny Queensland to join the Qld police. I will be stationed in the southern suburbs of Brisbane. I am making this move purely for lifestyle, weather and family reasons. It is not in any way because I am unhappy with SAPOL (unlike many writers to The Last Shift, I suppose).
While doing my exit interview, I did have one gripe about SAPOL (fairly trivial in the scheme of things). During the last 12 years I’ve been through four (or is it more) promotional systems for senior constable and sergeant. The old FCC exam, the police studies certificate (in a move towards “professionalism”), the new improved associate diploma in policing (no idea why this was introduced) and, last, the new senior constable exam to be held at the end of the year (I will not state the obvious here but it does seem familiar). While I support the move towards professionalism, this indicates a high degree of amateurism. Guys upstairs, let’s find a plan and stick to it, huh. This carousel is making us little people dizzy.
I must thank the Police Association. Last year I needed its services for a “critical incident” (which means I was the unlucky slob who was in the wrong place at the usual time). I may again require the association’s services at the pending coronial investigation. Guys and gals, that $400 a year we pay is well worth it when you need it. The association looks after your legal rights and, trust me, it’s always at a time when you cannot. Thanks to Andy Dunn, who at 5am on that fateful day was the last person I expected to hear from, but was the most comforting.
Bush policing has been great. The police golf days, “networking” with neighbouring police stations while in remote areas, crazy stunts on “N” because you’re bored, team fishin’/skiing trips, etc. It has been fun.
I have greatly enjoyed my time in the job and look forward to a new challenge in Qld. The one thing that has made the so much fun (and bearable at those nasty taskings) has been the mates I’ve made. These are friends who I will see every couple of years when I drift back to SA. I’ve had some great times and will greatly miss these people.
Patrick Humphrys
Whyalla Patrols
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to my resignation from SAPOL effective May 30, 2001.
Regards
Tim Brooks
FCC 3645/4
Adelaide LSA (CWH)
Letters of withdrawal of Police Association membership should be addressed to PASA secretary, Andy Dunn, at:
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