August 2001 Volume 82 Number 8
"serving the protectors"
| August 2001 Volume 82 Number 8 "serving the protectors" |
|
|
|
|
A newspaper recently reported the dilemma of a local priest (Terrified priest call put on hold, Sunday Mail, July 15, 2001) whose 11444 call had gone unanswered during a break-in on his rectory.
Reverend Graham Roper had, according to the article, heard a noise, looked out of his kitchen window and seen a man with a broom trying to smash his way in.
After his 11444 call went unanswered, Mr Roper dialled 000. A police patrol reportedly arrived 15 minutes later.
Between the time of the 000 call and the police arrival, the offender smashed the window but fled.
The newspaper claimed police spoke to a male suspect whom they “failed to detain”. It also quoted a police superintendent as admitting that the 11444 call centre was unmanned.
Sadly, not a single word was printed to indicate that the police might not have had sufficient grounds to detain the alleged suspect.
We naturally sympathize with Mr Roper and regret his reported distress. But, to read the article is - for some - to believe that rank-and-file police deliberately and uncaringly left him vulnerable.
Mr Roper is quoted as saying: “It seems I cannot rely on the police force in the case of emergency.” He was even reported to have complained to his local MP, Ralph Clarke, who wrote to Police Minister Robert Brokenshire “demanding answers”.
But those who are quick to criticize, complain and demand answers must understand - and acknowledge - that fault in these all-too-frequent scenarios does not lie with the rank and file.
Front-line police are dedicated men and women, usually working at risk to themselves to serve their communities.
Street officers operate with the resources they are afforded and to the systems laid down by police management.
Those who feel aggrieved by a delay or a seemingly inadequate response are free to complain as they see fit. But they must also make the important distinction between those to whom blame is most appropriately directed and those who are entirely innocent.
Police management institutes the systems, while rank-and-file officers are often those upon whom systems are inflicted.
Sons often follow their fathers into police careers, but less often - if at all - has a mother followed her daughter (or vice versa) into the police force.
Janine Kucharzewski and Leisa Aitken showed in Mother and Daughter in Blue that each of them was relaxed with the other’s presence in the job.
In their uncommon circumstance, they have taken a common-sense approach to their respective careers. And, in modern-day policing, few officers need any more distractions than the ones they already face.
The Police Journal wishes mother and daughter well in their new careers.
|
||||||||||
|
The Police Journal Online is an
official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is
published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 2001 The Police Association of South Australia sustance |