July 2001 Volume 82 Number 7 "serving the protectors"

Hard slog to attain law degree

Dear Andy

As a practising lawyer and ex-cop, I read with interest the feature story in May’s journal, Why Cops Become Lawyers.

Much of the article, particularly that attributed to Mike Woods and Chris Patterson, struck a chord with me and my experiences of transition from a police career to one in the law. I was, however, very concerned at some of the comments credited to Nick Healy.

With respect to Nick, I fear the story related to him may have painted an overly optimistic picture of both the process of gaining a law degree (and practising certificate) and that of practising law.

Nick may have been a more gifted student than myself (and most of the peers I studied and graduated with) but I cannot agree with:

The road to a law degree otherwise, , is “not hard at all”. “I’d say 95 per cent of the cops I worked with could easily have done, academically, what I did,” “It’s not brain surgery. If you’ve got communication skills, that will get you 80 per cent of the way through.”

Whilst it is true most police would undoubtedly have the intelligence to achieve a law degree (or any other qualification they coveted), I think you would find that most lawyers would agree that obtaining that degree is a hard slog. Some of the study is inherently complex and difficult and that which isn’t is rendered difficult by the sheer amount of reading one is required to do.

Another thing that concerned me about Nick Healy’s story was the references to large salaries. It is certainly true that some lawyers are earning large incomes as Nick says, but many are not. The starting salary of most lawyers is less than a probationary constable earns and a substantial number with 4-5 years’ experience in practice would be struggling to earn $50,000 a year. Also, as pointed out by Mike Woods, lawyers (both the ones raking in the big bucks and those on moderate salaries) do not work a 35-hour week, nor do they enjoy benefits such as overtime or time off in lieu. The vast majority of lawyers work long hours, face commercial imperatives and are forced to account stringently for their time.

Prospective university students need to also factor in the cost of their degree. This includes the cost of lost income (should one study full-time) which for me amounted to over $100,000 and the cost of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme which, for a double degree that includes law, is approaching $25,000. After that there is the cost of obtaining post-graduate qualifications and ultimately a practising certificate. I would not want to be seen as attempting to deter anyone contemplating a career in the law (or any other profession for that matter) as I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. I am merely concerned that people make decisions of such importance aware of the stark reality facing them and without any romantic notions attached.

Although my views on some issues obviously differ from Nick Healy’s, I, like he, Mike and Chris never regret my time as a police officer and agree the skills, experiences and qualities gained during that time have been invaluable for use both in every-day life and in my career. I likewise do not regret the decision to follow the advice of another ex-cop lawyer, the eminent Bill Morris, and pursue a legal career. I now have portable qualifications that have and will lead to many opportunities including three years at the Police Association that were the best and most enjoyable in my working life so far.

Yours faithfully
Craig Stevens

Recognize cops' credentials

I was interested to read the story, Police Journal

In your editorial, you posed the question: “How do we keep such capable, motivated people?”

In my opinion, it is easy - recognize them.

I completed a science degree, and then joined SAPOL shortly after finishing my degree. My eventual aim was to go into Crime Scene but, first, I wanted to be out on the road, doing patrol work. I did that.

I was then lucky enough to do some “work experience” with various facets of Crime Scene for seven weeks. Not long after, the opportunity arose for me to undertake the first “Crime Scene Relievers Course” in January 1999.

Following the course, I undertook relieving duties at my local Crime Scene. During the next two years, due to illness, injury, and various other leave, I spent most of my time at Crime Scene. I was getting very good results. Various times, new trainees would come out with me to learn the ropes.

Having done all this, the one problem I had was I did not have a TAFE certificate, and thus was not qualified senior constable.

Because of my science background, I have a very good understanding of science matters. I was able to give investigators advice on matters relating to science - things I had learnt as a result of my science degree. In fact, I am qualified to analyze and report on a number of the samples I have collected during my crime-scene duties, and submitted for analysis.

This year, there were eight new positions at Crime Scene. I put in an application, but was not going to get a position because I wasn’t “qualified”.

I watched in disappointment as people I had had a part in training got the position I wanted. My science degree and knowledge were worth nothing without a TAFE certificate.

Thus, if the Australian police services want to keep the capable and motivated people, they must recognize their skills and qualifications.

In specialist areas, why can’t the senior constable qualification be either the TAFE certificate OR a relevant post-secondary qualification for that area? That way, if you have a specific post-secondary qualification, which is relevant to the area you are working in, you don’t have to undertake TAFE studies. It would hold SAPOL up to the rest of the country, with its professional and educated staff.

Using a system of qualification like this would also mean that those who have previously undertaken their TAFE studies would not be disadvantaged either.

I believe if SAPOL continues to ignore the skills, qualifications and experience of its members it will continue to lose the capable and motivated people you wrote about.

Pip McGowan
Holden Hill LSA

Private policing a worry

It is very worrying if one contemplates private policing in its worst scenario.

Some years ago I watched a fiction film where a private security firm was hired to police an apartment block. The tenants were wealthy and they considered they had guaranteed their safety and protection. However, the scenario then became a hard, cold fact. They were virtual prisoners in their own homes.

Their hired security guard had become over-zealous and considered himself a mentor, guardian and jailer. The script then deteriorated further and it was quite scary.

However, John Ballantyne (Private Policing - “The Thin Edge of the Wedge) has given a grim prognosis, should fiction progress to reality. As it is, one appears to get the idea the public are already saying that minor, petty crimes - serious as they are to the victims - are sometimes not important enough for police attendance.

I am not saying that the SA police are lacking in their duties, but it is abundantly clear that they are definitely the “thin blue line”, and they and their facilities are stretched to the limit, so priority must be given to crimes of a more serious nature.

It is all right reading big headlines that the manpower is going to be eased with an increase in recruits, but by reading it is obvious that there are more attractive options being taken up by the members who have finished their shift long before their usual retirement. So any boost to numbers does not alleviate the shortages even though the minister can quote figures to the contrary.

I would liken the situation to “two steps forward and about five steps back”.

Rox Rosey
Victor Harbor

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