In the line of fire
The controversial release of cop killer Patrick Horan, from Sydney’s
Long Bay Jail, catapulted at least two issues into the media spotlight
last month. One was the proper, or improper, workings of the justice
system. The other was the ever-present dangers thrust upon police
officers, by seemingly increasing gun violence.
One might read a story like Near killed in hail of madman’s bullets
(page 18) and spew forth the old line: “Only
in America.” And no doubt the frequency of gun violence, particularly
against police, is far higher in the United States.
But the Australian community would be in error if it believed the
use of firearms against its police was not an ever-increasing threat.
The San Antonio four all miraculously survived their horrific ordeal.
But too many other US and, indeed, Australian cops have lost their
lives under fire. Young NSW police officer, Paul Quinn, was the man
who lost his life in 1986 to the cop-killing Patrick Horan, who served
only 18 years for manslaughter.
Just the year before, South Australia lost one of its officers, Lyncon
Williams, to a juvenile gunman’s bullet at Blair Athol.
And, from these 18- and 19-year-old shooting deaths, police officers
have become no more immune from gun-toting criminals. Consider recent
police deaths across Australia and New Zealand:
Queensland (August 2003) – Senior Sergeant Perry Irwin was
shot dead by a gunman in bushland near a Caboolture college. After
killing Snr Sgt Irwin, the offender shot himself.
New Zealand (July 2002) – Detective Duncan John Taylor was
shot dead by a 16-year-old in a confrontation in Rongatea, Manawatu.
NSW (March 2002) – Constable Glen McEnally, 26, was shot three
times after he chased four illegal users in suburban Sydney. The NSW
Supreme Court convicted three offenders of his murder.
NT (August 1999) – Sergeant Glen Huitson was shot dead as he
manned an Acacia roadblock, south of Darwin. In a later gun battle,
Huitson’s partner shot the gunman dead.
Victoria (August 1998) – Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable
Rodney Miller were gunned down in Moorabbin as they investigated a
series of armed robberies. Their two killers, then suspected of the
robberies, were each convicted of murder.
Operational police officers understand and accept that their job
comes with risks, including those posed by criminals who wield guns.
And, in reality, the firearm is never likely to be rendered out-of-reach
to the hard-core criminal.
For the sake of front-line officers, however, we, as a community,
must guarantee them the very best equipment, ever-toughening legislation
and, above all, our unconditional support.
