SA cops’ hospitality
I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to a number of officers
in SAPOL for their hospitality when I was travelling around Australia
late last year with my wife and four children.
Prior to taking long-service leave, I had applied for promotion.
Fortunately, while on leave, I was short-listed and, as such, a telephone
interview was required. I liaised with Senior Constable Francis (Frank)
Pagh and Constable Amanda Billing from Streaky Bay with a view to
using their station for this interview (which had to be conducted
at a police station for ethical reasons).
After settling in to the relaxed atmosphere at Streaky Bay, I made
myself known to the officers. It was a Friday and, after travelling
half the country (especially the Nullarbor), I was invited to attend
their local hotel with Frank and Amanda. Later on, I also had the
pleasure of meeting Senior Constables Clive Shephard (Ceduna Traffic)
and Julie Williams from Poochera.
After this wonderful night, we had a game of social tennis with the
Streaky Bay community and, even though I may have lost the game for
the OC, it was something different from the norm of driving.
At the Streaky Bay Caravan Park, we also met another fine officer,
Sergeant Alan Chandler (Elizabeth Traffic).
We later caught up with Alan and his wife, Sandy, in Adelaide. It
was then that Alan made phone calls on my behalf to go to Kangaroo
Island.
No matter where we travelled within Australia, especially SA, once
other police learnt that we were also in the job, we were given special
and memorable experiences that we won’t forget for a long time.
Best regards
Andrew (Sgt, Qld Police), Jenny, Joseph, Sarah,
Ben and Daniel Smith
Bosses’ input valuable
Dear Sir
Having read Senior Constable Malcolm Racz’s letter to the editor
(Old guns, impractical uniform) in the April issue of the Police
Journal, I too agree that the current issue of weighty accoutrement
belts and operational safety equipment requires prompt attention.
Malcolm correctly asserts that the current issue Smith and Wesson
revolvers are antiquated and impractical in today’s policing environment
and, although seemingly viable alternatives exist, this issue has
remained curiously stagnant for what seems aeons.
Again, I agree with Malcolm that a uniform working committee should
be established to investigate alternatives to the current uniform
issue, and explore dress changes to accommodate any equipment replacements.
However, I feel Malcolm lets himself down by his belief that such
a committee should not include any commissioned officers. This to
me seems like unnecessary “boss-bashing”.
His argument that commissioned officers “...don’t chase crooks, deal
with dirty people, climb through windows, etc.” ignores the fact that
these same commissioned officers weren’t always bosses. They too cut
their teeth chasing crooks and getting their hands dirty. Just because
they have since moved on to other areas of policing does not mean
their input could not be as valuable as anyone else’s.
Similarly, there are hundreds of other police officers in non-operational
postings, myself included, who know what it’s like for those at the
coalface. This in no way diminishes our opinions or experiences.
I am sure that Malcolm meant no offence by his comments, but I for
one would like to see the elimination of the age-old distinction of
“us” and “them” when it comes to NCO-commissioned officer relations.
It does nothing to foster good working relationships and perpetuates
the flawed belief that commissioned officers are not to be trusted.
And, before you all start wondering – no, I’m not on the boss’s course,
nor have I sat the boss’s exam, nor do I have any aspirations to be
a commissioned officer at this stage.
Trent Cox
Sergeant 1035/7
Communications Branch
Working commissioned officers
Dear editor
I look forward to receiving the Police Journal each month.
I pass it on to my local police at Hervey Bay, Queensland, after I
finish with it. Most of the comments in The Readout, and elsewhere,
provide useful information and a fair standard of comment.
But the letter Old guns, impractical uniform (April 2004)
by Snr Const Malcolm Racz leaves a lot to be desired. He spoils a
reasonable, well-written critique, with a rather stupid statement
in the last paragraph: “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.”
Where has this senior constable been?
Commissioned officers are, in the main, long-serving police well
before reaching commissioned level. In my time (1958-1989) the rules
required 14 years of service before you could apply for commissioned
rank (perhaps things have changed).
A few examples may serve to educate the senior constable. As a detective
chief inspector, officer-in-charge of Burnside and, later, Holden
Hill CIB, some of your present committee would agree that many occasions
demanded the callout of the DCI to “chase crooks”, attend crimes,
frequently be at arrest scenes, and “deal with dirty people”.
The 600 very dirty protesters – after living rough – in the Roxby
Downs situation in 1983-84, were dealt with on a daily basis by the
commissioned officers team leading its men and women in close situations.
How many of your readers recall that?
And on location at Leigh Creek in the mid-1980s with the STAR Force,
and other units, directing rescue operations during the big floods
in the Far North.
I could go on. These are just a few examples of working commission
officers. I hope I have made my point.
My regards to those
with whom I served
Alex Copeland
Chief Supt (Ret)
