July 2002 Volume 83 Number 7 "serving the protectors"

Committed to detective training

Dear Andy

I was privileged to receive the Australian Police Medal through the Queen’s Birthday Honours on Monday June 10, 2002.

I wish to acknowledge the people I work with at Crime Training Section and all the people who assist in facilitating detective training within South Australia. It is those people who display the commitment and professionalism to ensure that the title “detective” is an achievement of which a person can be justly proud.

The standards are high and the workload is heavy for a person undertaking the detective development programme. However, they do so in the knowledge that there are committed facilitators to assist them to achieve their goals.

I have heard an ol’ detective chief superintendent (sorry – he is still working) often say that you are only as good as the people around you. It is the drive, energy, passion and competence of the team of people around me that I acknowledge.

You make it a pleasure to come to work each day.
Kind regards
Mick Lyons
Detective Senior Sergeant
Crime Training and Development Co-ordinator
Crime Training Section

Right about The Bill

Dear Andy

It was like a breath of fresh air reading about UK exchange officer Mick Matthews.

At least he didn’t appear to have come with pre-conceived ideas about the land of Oz, and he will surely return to Kent with some great memories, some unique Aussie jargon and unusual customs, having made new friends on the way.

What I was particularly pleased about were his comments regarding the English television programme, The Bill. For some time now, I have been sadly disillusioned about this show. To my mind, it has deteriorated so much that, if circumstances were as depicted, I would be thinking twice about contacting the law enforcement.

The show now seems to consist of still-wet-behind-the-ears recruits who take it upon themselves to know more than their superiors and have hidden agendas. Policing is something they get involved in when they are not doing their own thing, and currying (the polite interpretation) favours from their senior officers to the detriment of fellow officers and the public.

As well, the superintendent doesn’t appear to be hell-bent on creating a very good example either.

I liked the show before the new brooms came into Sunhill. I quite agree with Mick Matthews, and I make a choice to view an alternative programme at the same timeslot. Give me the old crew and storylines anytime. At least June, Matthew, Tony and Reg, of course, and some of the original cast, are still in there plugging away.

Anyway, all good wishes to Mick Matthews and I trust that his three-month stint here in SA will afford him some very happy and memorable experiences.
Rox Rosey
Victor Harbor

Kangaroo in main street

Dear Andy

In reference to a paragraph in the cover story, Likely to return? (Police Journal, June 2002) by Brett Williams, reference was made to kangaroos hopping their way down the main street.

This actually did occur at Naracoorte during my posting there in 1983.

I was the duty sergeant and working the 6pm-to-2am shift and it was getting close to its conclusion. I was conducting a foot patrol of the main street, Smith Street, checking on shops and business premises prior to finishing the shift.

It was shortly after 1am and it was a cold and misty night when I heard a clicking noise approaching me from down the street. I walked to the edge of the kerbing when a large grey kangaroo came hopping down the main street, past me, and continued down the street and out of sight. This is a characteristic of the kangaroo, as he will follow painted road lines, railway lines or fence lines as if mesmerized.

As the kangaroo crossed a main intersection in the middle of the town, intent on its journey, a motorist approached this intersection as he turned left, saw the kangaroo and then stopped on the road opposite to where I was standing. His remarks to me were: “Did you see that? I can’t believe my eyes! And, officer, I have not been drinking.”

You may reassure Mick Matthews this does occur.
Regards
Eric “Dusty” Rhodes
Sergeant (ret)

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