November 2001 Volume 82 Number 11 "serving the protectors"

No action against officers

Dear Mr Alexander

Most members would be aware that a number of police officers, including Constables Amanda Ambagtsheer and Karen O’Connor, responded to an incident at The Planet nightclub in Pirie St on 26 January 2000.

The incident attracted a great deal of attention, in the first instance because the person charged was a high profile Adelaide identity and then later, when the capabilities of Constables Ambagtsheer and O’Connor were linked to their gender, and became a matter for public commentary.

In considering this matter, it is important in my view, to acknowledge that police officers often have to make decisions and take action in operational situations which are quite different from courts of law or the circumstances of others who may wish to judge decisions and action taken. Police officers often have to deal with confused and emotional situations, without the luxury of time and full information. This needs to be taken into account in determining whether the action of police was reasonable in the circumstances - judgements need to be made from the position the police officer was placed in.

Following the finalization of the judicial process, SAPOL’s Ethical & Professional Standards Service (E&PSS) examined the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions of police throughout the entire process. E&PSS considered a broad range of factors beyond those able to be presented in a court of law, including matters outside the strict rules of evidence.

At the earliest opportunity after the enquiry had been completed, I met with Constables Ambagtsheer and O’Connor to discuss the matter with them, including the review recommendation that no action be taken against either member.

While this advice was welcomed and should finally bring an end to a particularly stressful time for both members, it is indeed an unfortunate anachronism that a debate linking gender and capability was raised publicly. SAPOL is committed to equity and diversity, where gender clearly has no relevance in measuring professional conduct or capability. Good policing decisions are not exclusive to either gender, but are based on a combination of experience, training and judgement.

In every incident a member deals with, efforts need to be concentrated on personal accountability and professionalism, rather than gender.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm Hyde
Commissioner of Police

Samaritan still elusive

Dear Andy

It has been a year since my front-page story, Search for the Cop Samaritan, was published in the Police Journal.

I would like to advise everyone of the outcome of this article and to thank those who assisted in any way. In response to the question that I still get asked every now and then: no, I did not find the elusive cop Samaritan referred to in the article - or, at least no one came forward. There were opportunities and/or avenues to search further, however, I did not take them and was satisfied with the result.

I was fortunate enough to learn more than I have ever previously known, including the names of investigating officers (mostly now out of the job) and much more. I learnt that some people whom I had known for quite some time knew of or were involved with the accident investigation. The article also managed to stir up emotions within my family that had lay dormant for almost 27 years and forced us to talk about it together. More importantly, it allowed us to begin the long-awaited road to recovery.

I would like to thank the Police Journal, particularly Brett Williams, who is ever so professional, for publishing a great article. I would also like to thank all the people who phoned or e-mailed either Brett or myself with traces of information in aid of our plight. A special thanks to some members of the Major Crash Section who were particularly helpful and do a wonderful job, which most of us could not possibly comprehend.
Yours sincerely
Colleen Hilditch

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