The Blue Knights

Dear Editor

The Blue Knights is an international body of law enforcement officers with an interest in riding motorbikes. This club is open only to sworn police officers (serving or retired). One of the club’s stated aims is to foster camaraderie and brotherhood between all law enforcement officers worldwide.

At the moment, any person who wants to become a member of the Blue Knights has to be an "international member", as no branch exists in Australia. From Blue Knights International, however, I have received the information needed to start a branch here in South Australia.

I invite anyone who would like to be involved in starting a branch of the Blue Knights in SA to contact me on 0433 119 792 or by e-mail (Dale.Knoote-Parke@police.sa.gov.au), or Paul Noble on 0418 330 300 or by e-mail (Paul.Noble@police.sa.gov.au).
Many thanks
Dale Knoote-Parke

Grateful to PASA team

Dear Andy

I write to you to thank you, PASA president and vice-president, Peter Alexander and Trevor Haskell, PASA assistant secretary, Tom Scheffler, and all those who came to the assistance of my husband, Les Morris, who suffered a diabetic hypo during the recent retiring members’ dinner at the Radisson Playford.

I am most grateful to Trevor and Tom. They took care of Les when he collapsed, called an ambulance, stayed with Les until the ambulance officers arrived and, later, escorted us downstairs and organized a taxi.

Les’s hypo was probably bought on by a combination of things. As you know, he is a diabetic and usually takes care accordingly. But, for some reason, he did not have his usual 4pm snack; and he usually has his evening meal by 6pm.

He has now fully recovered and is back to normal, although it took until noon the following day before his colour returned.

Once again my sincere thanks to all who helped on the night.
Kindest regards and love to you all
Nan Morris

Journal advertisers best

Dear Andy

I would like to express my appreciation to the staff of the Police Journal for their assistance over the past couple of years. I have saved a considerable amount of money and time by using the advertisers in the journal.

Every time I need to buy something, or get something fixed or repaired, the first thing I do is read the journal and check out the advertisements. If I cannot see what I want, then it’s on the phone and, before the end of the day, the journal staff will contact me with a business and contact person.

Living in the country, I find this invaluable. I do not have to spend a great deal of time travelling around the business premises in Adelaide trying to find the best deal I can. The journal staff have already done that on my behalf. (That gives me more time to relax in the Police Club.)

The staff at these businesses are always courteous and helpful. I always show my Police Association membership card when I purchase any item or service from the advertisers, and I mention that I saw their advertisement in our journal.

I strongly encourage members to use the Police Journal advertisers and, if they do not see what they want or need in one particular issue, they should contact the journal office, which is always eager to help.

I have always received the best price by contacting the journal, and I now make it my first choice for any purchase. Please pass on my thanks to all the journal staff.
Trevor Milne
PASA Committee Member

Overhaul selection process

Dear Andy

I am unwillingly wading into the mire that is the current selection process. As one of the many members aspiring to promotion, I have had first-hand experience of this confusing system. I’m probably putting my head on the chopping block by discussing such issues, but here goes.

First, I believe SAPOL is leaving itself wide open to allegations of nepotism, patronage, bias and prejudice by continuing to appoint selection panels from within the LSA where the vacancy occurs. As professional as a selection advisory committee may be, a working relationship with a candidate may have an influence (positive or negative) on the selection process.

Appointment of a dedicated, trained selection panel would negate the possibility of the selection of candidates based on an SAC’s personal preferences or knowledge of a particular candidate. A selection, however scientific – and no matter how many workshops and assessment centres are held – is still a subjective process based on a candidate’s core skills, job experiences and personal qualities, which a selector places most value on.

Even if a conscious effort is made to select purely on the evidence submitted to the panel, personal prejudices or knowledge of a candidate, however minor, could still play a part. The selection process not only needs to be above reproach, it needs to appear above reproach.

Second, the new selection process established the key selection criteria (KSC), through which selection is made. Candidates must satisfy each KSC to a level appropriate to the position (e.g. sound, proficient, comprehensive). This is achieved by providing examples of prior behaviour. The new system has led to a plethora of problems.

What I have found most disappointing is the growing tendency for members to climb all over each other in an effort to gain relevant material for their next application.

The day-to-day duties of police work are forgotten in the headlong charge to take on "special projects", forge "new partnerships" and "touch base" with influential areas of the department or community. Members are submitting reports to management primarily for the purpose of noting it in the relevant KSC of their application. Some who are given relieving duties are changing perfectly satisfactory work practices or making hasty recommendations on issues of importance so they can state they did more than "keep the chair warm". (A line straight out of the application guidelines.)

The selection process needs a drastic overhaul. Members in the workplace are at each other’s throats and playing secret squirrel with important issues lest somebody steal their ideas.

Projects used to be implemented or recommendations made because it would help us catch more crooks or make our job easier. Now it is done because it is needed for someone’s KSC. A cynical view perhaps, but I have been around for a few years now.

SAPOL needs to establish a centralized, trained core of selectors, who have nothing to gain by and nobody to influence them in their selection of candidates.

A thorough review of the selection process needs to be undertaken. And members need to take a deep breath and ask themselves what they are really hoping to achieve by their actions – personal glory or a furtherance of SAPOL’s goals?
Regards
Tim Tollenaar
Hindley Street