October 2001 Volume 82 Number 10 "serving the protectors"

Story-book ending

Dear Andy

This letter is written to express a very special thanks to you and Mr Ballantyne for the manner in which you provided coverage (Homage to Hank Ramm, Police Journal, July 2001) of my farewell luncheon in Fenwick Hall on Friday, May 18, 2001.

Although I knew a function was being arranged by my colleagues, I was taken completely by surprise by the nature of the event, the number of people present and many apologies. It was a wonderful and most memorable time and one which I will cherish forever. It was made all the more special because my wife, Margaret, was able to be present. Following my many years in the Prosecution Service, she has a profound appreciation of the very challenging work of our prosecutors and has been a great help to me during trying times. Accordingly, I share with her the tributes paid to me at my farewell.

My one regret is that I did not speak personally to everyone present. They were all special to me and being with them on my last day in the prosecution “realm” brought that part of my career to a story-book ending.Thank you again for your part in making my day.
Yours sincerely
MA (Hank) Ramm

Wonderful Work

Dear Andy

Thank God for Constable Lyn White. I was deeply moved by your story (Saving True Victims, Police Journal, January 2001) and I wish to offer a suggestion. Perhaps you could mention in your article how people who wish to support your cause may make a donation. Do you have a fund to assist with your work?

Please keep up your wonderful work. God bless you.
Richard J Hutton

Editor’s Note

To make donations, or for information on the Animals Asia Foundation, go to www.animalsasia.org, e-mail Lyn White - lwhite@animalsasia.org - or write to PO Box 1, Woodside, SA, 5244.

Probationer crews commonplace

Dear Peter

I am writing to you to voice a serious concern in relation to staffing within the Adelaide LSA. This is not to gripe about staffing numbers but about the ratio between probationary/junior constables and senior members.

We are seeing what is arguably the largest percentage of probationary constables within operational areas that I have ever experienced. This, coupled with many senior members leaving the road or leaving the job altogether, usually because they are fed up with poor working conditions and lack of recognition, makes for a dangerous situation.

Currently, the Adelaide LSA, in particular Adelaide Patrols, has approximately 35 probationary constables spread over the five teams. This number is broken down to between eight probationers on one team, being the highest number, to six on a team, being the lowest.

Take into account senior members on courses and secondments and you are left with one or two senior members per team on a regular basis. Sometimes, the most senior member of a team is a probationer.

The practice of placing probationers together in crews is now commonplace and fraught with danger and must be dealt with immediately. I realize that most probationary constables will be commenting negatively about now, but with the realization that they have very limited experience and knowledge and have yet to attain permanent employment, they must agree with my concerns.

This problem is further enhanced with departing senior members being replaced by probationary constables. No matter how SAPOL juggles the figures, the above is fact and it cannot be denied that there is a major problem.

I am not prepared to have my safety, and that of my colleagues, placed in jeopardy by this situation, nor for operational police to be seen in a poor light because of the sub-standard service currently offered. The PASA must take this on board as a matter of urgency to SAPOL for immediate attention.

I am currently putting a proposal to the Adelaide LSA management to alleviate part of this problem.
Regards
Nigel Ambagtsheer
Senior Constable 858/5
Adelaide Patrols

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