Dear Andy
After only nearly 38 years in the job, I can only think of one applicable
saying at this time – from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. To say or not to
say, that is the question.
Being forced into retirement due to invalidity through a vehicle
accident on the dreaded Sturt Highway, there is plenty I would like
to say. But why try to reinvent the wheel. Many before have tried;
and, in any case, who, in the department’s hierarchy, let alone the
government, wants to listen.
After also spending 35 years in the army reserve, I will fall back
on the acronym KISS (keep it simple stupid), which I have used and
advocated many times.
Thanks to almost all I have met and worked with during my rather
shortish, interesting, challenging and enjoyable career. I hope to
see some of you as time goes by.
Look after yourselves, your family and a few close friends – in that
order – because, in the end, that’s what will count, if they still
want to know you. The Police Association and the Police Credit Union
are also definitely worth looking after.
I can’t leave without a shot in the dark. Certain members of Parliament
are talking about encouraging people to stay longer in the workforce.
Perhaps the police department’s hierarchy could take a decent look
at welfare/work rehabilitation, because there are those who don’t
want to retire and would even consider a drop in rank/job description
in order to stay on.
Terry Jaensch (TJ)
Dear Andy
For nearly 27 years I have loved the life that policing has afforded
me. It is a profession made up of wonderfully dedicated people who
pride themselves on their determination, and commitment to providing
the very best service to the people of the best state in Australia.
Sadly, some within our great job have lost sight of the core functions
of policing and embarrass themselves, their positions and our department
by their inappropriate and unlawful treatment of subordinate personnel,
against whom they have a personal dislike.
Bullying, discrimination and victimization are unlawful and costly,
especially when the mistreatment extends to such an extent that a
member becomes very ill. The situation deteriorates significantly
when one complains about the errant behaviour of a senior officer,
only to find oneself transferred, treated worse, and without an investigation
into the complaint. Subsequent mistreatment may even make continued
employment untenable.
It would be wonderful if all managers had the skills to treat their
staff fairly, equitably, lawfully and professionally. Perhaps exit
interviews may be useful for the Commissioner to learn what has happened
to his most valuable resource, his people.
I applaud the Police Association for its continuing fight for the
rights of members of all ranks and wish you and every serving member
the very best for the future. It is still a wonderful job, full of
wonderful people. Don’t let the very few bad people tarnish all the
great things achieved by the masses of wonderful people.
Please accept my resignation from the association with effect from
December 31, 2003, to coincide with the first day of my recovery to
good health.
With continued best wishes
Haydon Coulls
Dear Andy
I have resigned from SAPOL, my last day of service being March 17,
2004, a long time since joining as a cadet in 1973. I therefore submit
my resignation from the SA Police Association. I have supported the
efforts of the association and work done to give all officers a fair
go and hope this continues well into the future. I leave SAPOL with
no regrets, just great memories of the wonderful people I have enjoyed
working alongside and the beautiful places around this state.
The guys and gals at Christies, my good old buddies from STAR Group,
ACB members, the various supervisors and bosses and most recently
the crew at Electronic Crime, I thank you all for making my career
enjoyable, fruitful and memorable.
My future is now in Western Australia with law enforcement but I
can also be found canoeing down a river, sailing to Rottnest, camping
in the karri forests or maybe swimming with the whale sharks.
Mark Wasley
Constable 2864/6
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association to coincide
with my last day of service with SAPOL, that being March 17, 2004.
Thank you for your assistance with pay claims and other matters over
the last 30 years.
Yours truly
Paul Smedley
Sen Const 2460/6
Traffic Operations Unit
Escort Section
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of SA effective
late March 2004. I thank you for your support and services provided
to all members.
It has been short and mainly sweet but I thank SAPOL for the skills
I developed and continue to employ in my new pursuits.
I was lucky enough to work early on with some of the best supervisors
in the job, a la Lou Costello and Mark Wright, and along with them
I thank everyone I shared a laugh with.
I have learnt something about the world from everyone I dealt with
in SAPOL (even if this was how not to be a good copper) and I’m grateful
for the experience.
To my friends for life, I’ll see you soon. To those acquaintances
with whom I will be able to strike up a conversation when I see them
again – as if it was yesterday – you can contact me at simon.mcmahon@asic.gov.au.
I look forward to catching up.
Keep up the good work, and never lose sight of the good you do for
the community.
Finally, one last special thanks to the copper who influenced me
most. I modelled my style on yours, watched, listened and learnt a
lot from you, Tony McMahon. Thanks, Dad.
Simon McMahon
Dear Andy
I wish to resign from the Police Association effective March 26,
2004. This will be my last day of service with SAPOL.
Regards
Brian Playford
Dear Andy
I am resigning from PASA effective March 26, 2004, to take up the
job of a lifetime with Emirates and will be based in Dubai.
Thank you to all the fantastic people I have worked with at SAPOL
– will send you a postcard from Paris.
Thanks
Bec Turner (hostie)
4826/4
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to
retirement from SAPOL, effective March 31, 2004.
Well, my time has come in my 33rd year with SAPOL. It has happened
rather quickly, as I had the opportunity to purchase my own business
in the suburb I live at, Mawson Lakes, and have a property portfolio
in Queensland and SA, which I’m sure will keep me busy.
I know a lot of you turn to this page first, to see who has got
out, and enjoy reading some of the comments from departing members.
Several members have told me not to make it one of those short farewells,
so I will try to provide you with a few memories I leave with.
First, good luck to the few remaining Course 35 members – I will
definitely try to make the next reunion.
When I joined the job, we were still using Imperial typewriters,
and had to bash the keys as hard as we could, just to get something
on that fifth copy of a COR. Then we went to Olivetti typewriters,
and thought they were modern. Then electric typewriters came along,
and members refused to accept the new technology.
CIB did the 304s – as they were criminal matters – as well as all
the 406s.
I have been operational, and a shift-worker my whole career, in
the northern suburbs of Salisbury and Elizabeth. I believe I still
hold a record: on New Year’s Eve, 1996, ComCen called me to say: “Vixen,
we are now holding 50 priority-As in your patch.”
I had four patrols to deal with that, and the jobs did not include
any noisy parties.
I also had my share of 504s, which I stopped counting at 200. I was
known as Dr Death for good reason.
I was also involved in an ambulance rollover and ended up with the
deceased patient on top of me. I had been giving him CPR at the time.
I pushed him off and got out through a broken window. Apparently the
ambulance had rolled four times, after being T-boned passing through
an intersection.
On another occasion I nearly got gored to death at Pooraka, and all
I could think of was: “What an embarrassing way to go.” The bull chased
me around a tree until it lost interest and went on to demolish my
police car, which it repeatedly charged. It took three solids from
a shot gun to bring it down.
There are so many stories with which I could fill the journal, so
I think I will end it there.
I wish you all the best in your careers. I have enjoyed my last
few years at Transit and will be looking out for you in those police
cars. Stay safe, good luck and goodbye.
Yours sincerely
Keith Crowther
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to
my resignation from SAPOL, effective April 15, 2004. I thank all those
I have had the pleasure of working with throughout my time with SAPOL,
in particular the great people within Holden Hill LSA. Fond memories
will remain with me forever.
I also thank you and the association for your support and advice.
All the best to you all for the future.
Tyrone Gaston
Constable 4849/7
Holden Hill LSA
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of SA effective
the same date as my resignation from SAPOL on April 16, 2004.
I acknowledge and thank all the nice people I have met along the
way and wish them all the very best for the future.
Mark Johnstone
Probationary Const
7607/0
Elizabeth Patrols
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association as my last
day of service with SAPOL will be April 21, 2004. During the past
27 years I have been encouraged by the association’s continual push
to support serving members.
I often wondered what it would be like when the time came to separate
from SAPOL and reflect on the journey. It has certainly been filled
with ups and downs but the good times have certainly outweighed the
bad.
Times have changed, as has the style of policing adopted today, but
one thing that will never be lost is the mateship and friends I have
made during the journey. With each posting I have had, I have been
fortunate enough to meet quality people (and some that leave a bit
to be desired) and I wish them all the best in the future.
I have accepted a position with the Insurance Australia Group and
the time has come for me to commence a new phase in my life but I
certainly look forward to catching up with the mates I have made during
my service with SAPOL.
Cheers
Danny Neve
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association, effective
May 26, 2004, due to my resignation from SAPOL.
I have taken the opportunity to accept employment with the Australian
Federal Police.
I thank the association – it is comforting to know that one has
that support.
I also thank all the people I have worked with over the past five
years at Norwood, Adelaide and Mount Gambier. It has been an experience
that has had its ups and downs, yet I would not change it for anything.
Good luck to you and the association in the forthcoming EB4 negotiations.
I hope that you can secure another competitive package for the members.
Yours sincerely
Simon Warwick
Constable 4595/5
Mount Gambier Police
