Objection to comments

Dear editor

I have served in policing, on both sides of the world, for nearly 30 years. I believe in the freedom for police to criticize the inept ways that their organization is sometimes run. I believe that some times tongue-in-cheek comments even raise a few smiles amongst my colleagues.

But how dare Jason Squire make such an outrageous comment on Freemasonry (The customer culture, Police Journal, May 2003) with his likening it to the POR meetings. Referring to it as: “All that’s missing are a few aprons, wrist cuffs, touches on the second knuckle and some goats.” I object to his comments.

Yes, I am a Freemason (23 years) and so are many of your members. We are in the rank and file of the police department and take pride in our association with this great institution. We believe in the laws of this country, charity and truth. The truth of this matter is that Jason has obviously a cross to bear with an organization outside his own experience.

I ask that he apologize for these comments and make good of his position and work towards the principles of the Police Association.
Yours sincerely
Mike (Yorkie) Smith
Sturt Enquiries

Police babes’ progress

Dear Sir

My wife and I are members of the Queensland Police Service and appeared in Police Babes Saved in SA, a story in the December 2002 issue of the Police Journal.

We have been back in Queensland since January, 2003, and have had our girls home with us since January 20. In total, they spent 102 days in hospital, nine weeks in intensive care and the remainder in special care nurseries.

Today, Jaime weighs 5,350gms and Charlie 4,600gms. Quite a transformation from their birth weights of 680gms and 700gms respectively.

The purpose of this letter is to express our deepest thanks to both the Police Association and the SA Police for their assistance and support during an extremely difficult period in our lives.

On October 9, 2002, we were flown by RFDS from Mildura to Adelaide and transported by ambulance straight to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. I had never been to South Australia before, and Helene and I had no friends or family, that we knew of, in Adelaide.

After about 12 days in hospital, Helene was discharged and PASA secretary, Andy Dunn, organized for us to stay in one of the association units in the city. Andy then booked other vacant association units for us up to the end of December. Thankfully, we didn’t need to use them. The assistance we received from the Police Association was overwhelming. Thanks, Andy. You and your staff are a credit to the Police Association.

I should point out that from the time we notified the Queensland Police Service of our situation, my regional police chaplain contacted your police chaplain, David Marr, and he remained in constant contact with us for the three months that we were in Adelaide. He visited our girls while they were in intensive care and was a constant source of support. Helene and I aren’t “God people” as a rule, but we thank David for everything he did for us. His support and friendship will never be forgotten.

Finally, SA Police Academy officer-in-charge, Chief Superintendent John Minagall, threw us our biggest lifeline. He offered us a house on the academy grounds for as long as we needed it. It was a huge relief to us to know that we had somewhere permanent to stay while we commuted to the hospital on a daily basis. We were also able to send photos of the girls back home to family and colleagues using the computers in the administration office. Nothing was too much trouble for him. I wish we had more bosses like him in the Queensland Police Service. We will never be able to thank him enough for everything he did for us. Thanks, John.

A special thanks also to Raelene, Michelle and Sue, for all their assistance during our stay at the academy.

We have a lot of reasons to return to Adelaide. Not only were our girls born there, but we have made a lot of friends along the way. One friend in particular is Robyn Filmer. Robyn took the time to visit us while Helene was still in hospital. Hi, Robyn, hope all is well with little Rubes.

We will be in Adelaide sometime in November this year to attend the Women’s and Children’s Hospital prems’ Christmas party. It will give us the chance to show off our little miracle babies to those who have helped us so much.

This has been a very difficult letter to write. Without going over the top with sentiment, Helene and I wanted everyone to know just how much we appreciated everything that was done for us. While some involved might say it was no big deal, it was very much a big deal to us. We will never forget your kindness. Thank you all.
John Delandelles
Senior Constable 7022
QLD Police Service