STAR Group anniversary
Dear Andy
A special lunch to mark the 25th anniversary of the formation of
the Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) Group was held at the Stamford
Plaza hotel on November 30 last year. The event, staged every five
years to celebrate this unique part of SAPOL, drew 110 past and present
members.
Recently retired superintendent, John Dicker, acted as MC and told
plenty of stories about past and present members. Now enjoying civilian
life, he related those stories with fewer restrictions than he might
have had previously.
Several former officers-in-charge made brief speeches. Each was inspirational,
particularly one by the section’s first OC, Wally Sampson.
I will never forget it, and could not stop thinking about it for
days. Even now, the thought of it sparks the same emotions in me that
I experienced at the time. It had everything: history, humour, sadness
– and even tears. But, above all, it was about leadership.
He described how he had fewer than six months to form the STAR Force.
This created issues such as selection, training, development of SOPs,
rosters, functions and roles. He also had to work through all of the
logistical issues, such as weapons, ammunition, vehicles, stores and
offices.
It seemed like a very daunting task, and he acknowledged it wasn’t
all smooth sailing in the early years. He described well the challenge
of leadership. He had to make tough decisions that weren’t popular,
but made them for the benefit of STAR Force and SAPOL.
His description of the events surrounding the death of Jim Webb while
on duty, however, proved to be the most inspirational.
First Class Constable Webb was a member of the Underwater Recovery
Squad, which enjoyed its own reputation within STAR Force as being
elite.
After Jim died in a motor vehicle accident in October 1980, Wally
received a call in the middle of the night. He soon attended the mortuary
to identify the body, and then called at Jim’s home to inform his
wife and family of his death.
There was emotion in Wally’s voice, but he never wavered in the delivery
of his words. He wiped tears from his eyes as he recalled the events
as if they happened just yesterday.
Extremely moving were comparisons he drew between this tragedy and
the recent death of his wife, and the impact both events had had on
his life. As I looked around the room, I saw tears well up in the
eyes of both past and present members. Some were in STAR Force in
1978, and others had only just begun their careers with us. These
men had enjoyed reputations as hard, larger-than-life characters,
but were moved like I had never witnessed before.
The unprepared speech received a standing ovation. Leadership provides
a challenge for all police, and Jim’s death provided Wally with one
of his biggest.
A quote to describe Wally and those “pioneers” of STAR Force could
be: “Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there
is no path and leave a trail.”
Other former OCs, Peter Magerl, Trevor Johnson and Tom Rieniets,
shared some great stories. They and Wally reminded us of what it takes
to become a “Starrie”, and highlighted the camaraderie that all of
us continue to enjoy.
After the speeches came a DVD presentation, prepared with the help
of Channels 7, 9 and 10, and featuring 300 still photographs collected
from past and present members. The scrolling pictures stretched back
to the beginning of STAR Force.
Among other footage, the 9 and 10 presentations highlighted the Nuriootpa
siege of May 3, 1994. The incident had been recorded on video as it
happened. Past member, Derrick McManus, was shot several times when
we attempted to serve a summons on Tony Grosser.
The acts of several members that day, including those of Derrick
in just staying alive, remind us about the danger we sometimes face,
the courage of our members and the calibre of individuals we have
recruited in the past, and continue to recruit today. The memories
of that incident still cause us to reflect on the challenges we faced
then and have since.
There have been some incredible changes over 25 years. There was
a time when almost every job was an armed forced entry performed in
black overalls. It was common to conduct four or five entries in a
single shift.
Many think we should still operate that way. It is not as simple
as kicking in the door and catching the crooks with the loot anymore.
These tactics, while still effective, can be dangerous and, as a result,
will usually be the option of last resort.
The 25-year anniversary reminded me about why I became a Starrie
and, in fact, why I became a police officer. It’s about people, and
not only those whose lives are altered for the better because we intervened,
but also the person next to you.
The time when a situation gets tight, and tests all of one’s skill
and experience, is when one’s true metal shines through. That’s what
it is about.
Mark Worsley
Sergeant 633/2
STAR Operations
Old guns, impractical uniform
Dear Sir
I am not normally inclined to write letters to the editor, however,
having read the February (2004) issue of the Police Journal,
I would like to say a few things.
The articles that interested me most were Overloaded: how the
New South Wales police accoutrement belt plagues its wearers,
and Millions for replacement guns? by Trevor Haskell. Having
read these, I see that the issues are much the same but consider that
they both should have gone further, and merged with other issues.
There is no doubt that we, the members, are overloaded with equipment.
Some of the solutions offered in the article included the wearing
of Cargo-type trousers and load-carrying vests. So we now have a uniform
issue.
The current uniform is not the most practical available to us. The
shirts are of a colour that is easily soiled and stained. The leather
jacket is heavy, stiff and (to many) uncomfortable. The jumper is
practical but not a good insulator against the cold. The trousers
could have more pockets. The belts are overloaded. Thus, this is,
in my opinion, a good place to start.
We need a uniform that looks professional and is practical and functional,
a uniform that can take some of the load from the belts. The current
uniform is not uniform in that it is so easily soiled and, as such,
makes the wearer look untidy and unprofessional.
Next is the issue of equipment. The current revolvers are falling
apart. They are of an old design and were old technology when they
were first issued to us. Other firearms, such as the Glock, are lighter
and less bulky. They recoil less – making them easier to shoot – have
larger magazine capacity and are quicker to reload.
Firearms need to be carried in one particular place, the strong-side
hip, or thereabouts, as this is an occupational health and safety
issue.
Other equipment can be carried elsewhere to distribute the load around
the body, making it easier to carry. Better distribution around the
body makes the equipment actually feel lighter as it is not concentrated
around the hips.
Running with a full belt of equipment is a painful experience due
to this concentration of weight around the hips and waist. With a
better distribution of weight, we may be able to run faster so we
can catch more crooks, as our job requires.
It is obvious that these issues are related, and we need a working
committee to work on them. Any committee formed should be free from
influence from commissioned rank. After all, they don’t chase crooks,
deal with dirty people, climb through windows, etc.
Malcolm Racz
Senior Constable
Henley Beach
Calling police baseballers
Dear editor
I have spent many years in both the playing and administration sides
of baseball, in the city and in various country locations. I have
spent most of my time in the country areas.
Over the last few years, I have come to realize that quite a number
of police officers and/or their children are also involved in the
rapidly growing sport of baseball.
Moreover, I understand that some among the police – current, retired
and some who have resigned – have played, umpired, coached or scored
at a very high level.
I am seeking contact from all those serving and past officers who
are involved at any level, or in any capacity, in the sport of baseball.
I would like to form an association of members who have an interest
in baseball. And, such an association could, I believe, include:
- A social aspect.
- The provision of support.
- Opportunities that the “non-elite” kids would not normally receive.
- A masters team.
- The production of a police baseball book.
The opportunities for the non-elite kids would extend to police
baseball kids and others – especially from country areas – who did
not have any access to the Adelaide facilities. But, if they did have
a rare opportunity to have such access, no one in Adelaide is currently
on hand to show support.
I am keen to book some positions at Fort Largs for these kids for
a week –on a yearly basis – to allow them access and exposure to better
coaching, facilities and support. I hope to have police officers involved
in the development of this concept.
I have spoken recently to Jace Carpenter (ex-SAPOL) who has a son,
Lee (previously in Port Lincoln), who now plays division one for Port
Adelaide.
My own involvement in baseball is through playing masters and coaching.
I am the South Australian Country Baseball Association secretary,
and president of a country association.
It seems there are many of us who have involvement at some level.
Jace and I would be pleased to hear from anyone, no matter what their
level of involvement in baseball.
Please send e-mails to:
Alternatively, telephone Jace Carpenter on 8113 3321 (work), 8449
1004 (home), 0400 148 224, or Jeff Wright on 8735 1013 (work), 87236631
(home), 0409 097 374.
Jeff Wright
SECJ
