April 2002 Volume 83 Number 4
"serving the protectors"
| April 2002 Volume 83 Number 4 "serving the protectors" |
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It is a frighteningly oppressive time in the police occupation when a falsely accused cop can be forced, like a common criminal, into home detention – by his chief.
Patently clear from A cop re-victimized is that Officer Alfred Rios committed no wrongs, and wisely made certain to be seen to do no wrong. This view emerged, in any case, from an arm of the US legal system.
The workings of American grand juries are not widely known in Australia. But to reject the findings of such a jury would seem the height of bloody-minded defiance.
And through his defiance, what kind of example did Chief Joe Gibson set for his officers and, indeed, his community?
The story of the persecution of Alfred Rios should alarm not only police, but also the communities they serve. If law enforcement managers practise this kind of injustice against their own, who else might they feel free to persecute?
Through 1998, the Police Journal took pride in revealing a number of outrageous injustices against falsely accused SA police.
One should be grateful that, in South Australia, we do not suffer the kind of system that condemned the innocent Alfred Rios. But, as Australia seems to follow so many US trends and practices, let us beware.
No Australian police chief should ever be afforded the limitless power that his or her US counterparts seem to enjoy. So, let us be prepared to fight to the death against the adoption of any US-style system with the potential to ruin any one of Australia’s finest.
If amateurs were to witness and absorb others’ grief at close quarters – day after day – they would themselves suffer emotionally.
Thankfully, the professionalism of SA’s VCOs enables them to serve this community’s crime victims with aplomb.
Without these officers’ tolerance, understanding and spirit of generosity – revealed in Giving all for Victims – how much more might victims suffer?
The most accurate barometer of VCO success is the frequent, heartfelt expressions of appreciation from victims. Accordingly, VCOs deserve every accolade.
SA police officers diligently served at yet another major event last month. In the heat, and amid revellers, drunks and “rev-heads”, their work at the Clipsal 500 motor race was, as usual, exemplary.
To fulfill their role at the race – and every other major event – these officers undergo shift changes, often work overtime and, in some cases, lose time with their families. Without that level of police input, promoters could simply never stage major events here.
SAPOL, the community, and the government particularly, owe the officers concerned a debt of gratitude.
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